Sons Of Cuba (PG)

It was to be billed as the Champion of Capitalism versus the Champion of Communism and was rejected out of hand by the son of Cuba.

"What is one million dollars compared to the love of 8 million Cubans?" he asked.

Unable to attend the 1984 games due to boycott, Stevenson went on to beat the US Olympic champion Tyrell Bigggs at the world championship and then helped set up a series of boxing schools to train pugilists.

Once world leaders, the schools suffered under the US embargo, yet the film shows boxers training from the early hours before being educated and then skilled in the art of boxing - and revolution.

Produced and directed by Andre Lang, the film concentrates on three hopefuls in the Havana club run by an ex-champion who believes in discipline and self-belief and who approaches his protegees like a protective father figure.

There's the son of a Cuban champion who wants to follow in his father's footsteps since he believes it's the only way he can win his affection and make things fine for the family.

Another is unable to control his dietary regime. He arrives back from weekend leave a little larger than when he went - much to the annoyance of the trainer - and has to burn off the fat.

A third, called Dalmatian because he has spots of white hair, was a former ballet student who has the requisite style but not the toughness. Yet he still succeeds, since all have a role in maintaining the revolution.

A lot of emotion is expended as these lads go through their paces while wondering what their chances are since Fidel Castro is ailing and three champions have defected to the US.

It's an environment which will appear harsh to many but not those who have had to attend poorly equipped amateur boxing schools here and in the US in an attempt to escape poverty.

But this is no propaganda film because it really tries to get inside the heads of the protagonists and trainer like no other sports documentary - the Oscar-winning Hooped Dreams springs to mind.

Throughout they show a courage and resilience intended to demonstrate to Uncle Sam that Cuba will continue to champion socialist construction despite all attempts at counter-revolution.

La lucha continua!