The Great White Hope
by Martin Ritt
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Chester Morris, James Earl Jones, Jane Alexander, Joel Fluellen, Lou GilbertDirector: Martin Ritt
Brand: Fox
Cinematographer: Burnett Guffey
Editor: William Reynolds
Producer: Lawrence Turman
Writer: Howard Sackler
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); German (Original Language); Hungarian (Original Language); Spanish (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 103 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-01-11
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Movie Reviews of The Great White Hope
Movie Review: Powerful, Compelling, and still QUITE relevant
Summary: 5 Stars
As an 18-yr old, I vividly remember when this movie came out and the swirling controversies that accompanied it. Whites were cautious because it openly dealt with not only an interracial love affair but because of the depiction of an unrelenting, proud, but very angry black man. Interestingly enough, with the advent of Black Power/the Revolution and the emergence of the Black Panthers, most black audiences were equally cautious as well and for exactly the same reasons. Also keep in mind I was living in the South then too. Even in 1970, few southern towns would actually show the film.
This is a variation on the real-life troubles of Jack Johnson, one of boxing's earliest contenders.
Hands down the most compelling performances are those of James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander that leave an indelible imprint on the viewer. Because of the racial fabric of the time, Jack knew he was asking for trouble by openly defying white authority and then compounding that by becoming involved with a white woman. Both undoubtedly knew full well what they would be up against. While they may have deeply loved each other in the beginning, they soon discovered that simply love does not conquer all.
The movie is also filled with treasures of African-American performances by the likes of Beah Richards, Moses Gunn, Roy Glenn Sr. and Virginia Capers. This alone is worth the price of admission.
In many instances it is most difficult to watch. Two mesmerizing and thoroughly wrenching scenes were Jane's suicide and when Jack and company were reduced to performing "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in Europe to survive.
The film is most certainly uncompromising which was a MAJOR achievement given the social fabric at the time. James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander both deserved Oscars for their performances but that would have been like condoning their whole situation and god KNOWS Hollywood would NEVER have done that.....(sigh) Another example of not being able to see the forest for the trees.
Nonetheless, this is an film and most worthy of your movie collection
Summary of The Great White Hope
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