Day of the Fight

The story

Stanley Kubrick’s debut documentary, following Irish-American middleweight boxer Walter Cartier on April 17, 1950—the day of his bout with Bobby James. The film traces Cartier’s quiet morning rituals, training, and anxious hours before the match, culminating in his swift victory that night in Newark. Opening with a brief history of boxing, Kubrick’s tightly crafted short captures the discipline, isolation, and tension behind a fighter’s daily routine.

Cast & crew

Vincent Cartier

Vincent CartierSelf, Walter's twin brother and manager

Walter Cartier

Walter CartierSelf

Nat Fleischer

Nat FleischerSelf, boxing historian

Bobby James

Bobby JamesSelf, Walter's opponent

Judy Singer

Judy SingerSelf, female fan in crowd (uncredited)

Stanley KubrickSelf (man at ringside with camera) (uncredited)

Alexander Singer

Alexander SingerSelf

Douglas EdwardsNarrator