From book to film: Story of a Jewish boxer who went toe-to-toe with Nazis

An upcoming novel based on the true story of a Jewish boxer who goes undercover for the mafia and FBI to fight fascism in New Jersey has been optioned by independent production company Fulwell 73, Variety reports.

Author Leslie K Barry’s story is based on the real-life experiences of her uncle, who joined the Newark Minutemen, a band of other Jewish boxers who rose up to fight against the Nazi party in America, which began gaining traction during the Great Depression.

Barry researched the history over many years, with first-hand accounts from her 93-year-old mother and cousin, FBI reports
and boxes of undercover source material. 

Fulwell 73’s Leo Pearlman, who recently executive produced Channel 4’s acclaimed documentary, Auschwitz Untold: In Colour, led on the acquisition and will executive produce the feature film.

Barry said Pearlman “understood the story” and explained: “When we were talking about the novel, Leo and I started sharing stories about our grandmothers and their plights in London and America. 

“He understood the story and its importance on a level that made me trust his sensibility.”

Fulwell 73, which produces The Late Late Show with James Corden, was founded by Pearlman alongside brothers Gabe and Ben Turner and Ben Winston. In 2017, Corden joined the company as a fifth partner.

• Newark Minutemen is released in paperback next month from Morgan James Publishing.