When We Were Kings
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Movie Reviews of When We Were Kings
Movie Review: One of the Best Documentaries Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
This fight was one of the first distinct memories of my childhood. The damn thing took forever to come on TV (my father and his friends had gotten it on closed circuit in Germany) and I fell asleep at least once waiting for the fighters to finally make it into the ring. I was too young to understand everything that went on in the leadup to the "event" (and that's what it was) and I was absolutely delighted to learn that this film was going to be released so I could catch up.And it is a truly great film. It is a great film because it documents a great time in American and African history and because the things it documents are inherently dramatic and exciting. That said, this is also a terrific film from a filmmaking point of view; wonderful camera work, in your face documenting, and intelligent editing. It's not as "artsy" as Leni Riefenstahl's classic documentation of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but that event had a totally different cultural and historical context.
As a sport film, this movie is also important because it documents one of the greatest fights of all time; Ali correctly noted after the fight that his rope-a-dope strategy would go down in the annals of boxing.
All in all a wonderfully entertaining, informative, and inspiring way to spend about 90 minutes of your time.
Movie Review: One of the better documentaries I have ever seen
Summary: 5 Stars
The single best thing about this documentary is its fast pace, tight narration, suspense and not even a remote effort to glorify Ali. I didn't have any idea about the Zaire fight with Foreman before I saw this film, and until the very end, I was left guessing at the outcome. I am no boxing fan (for its violence, and fight-fixing - I actually dislike the sport), but this film has got to do little about boxing itself. It is mostly about a highly energetic man who actually who was on a mission of conquering and changing the world (not just the boxing world).
It was very inspiring to see someone who actually had such a strong belief in his ability to instill change and fight for the problems of his time. Even though the events depicted are from early 70's, they hardly look out of context in the present world.
Personally, it was a great inspiration for me in perseverance, self-belief, ambition, show-manship and humility from this guy who could have easily been lost to oblivion in Louisville, KY.
Movie Review: The Greatest look at The Greatest
Summary: 5 Stars
For an incisive look at the Man of the Century, this sliver of time captures Ali at his apogee, at the juncture where all the forces he harnessed were unleashed. Black Power, an American black touching his real African roots, Ali's brilliant psychological undressing and giantkilling of the foreboding young Foreman, the slave finally freed from the consequences of his conscientious objection giving one of the purest boxing lessons, all the crazy post-60s characters -- Bundini Brown, Don King, Howard Cosell, the writers Mailer and Plimpton. Just as touching, before the Thrilla in Manila, some of the last footage of the lightning quick mouth, mind, feet and hands of Ali before he became the shambling icon of a cuddly old man with shaky Parksinsons hands lighting the Olympic torch in Atlanta and making us all hold our breath that he would light himself on fire.
Wow.
Timothy Carlson
Boulder CO
Movie Review: Great Documentary about Ali's Fight with Foreman
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a huge fan of Muhammad Ali. He had such confidence in himself (at least outwardly) that he taught me how to have confidence in myself. I have been inspired by his strong spirit.
You get a good snapshot of this in When We Were Kings. Ali is heavily favored to be knocked out by George Foreman, who enters this fight against Ali 40-0 with 37 knockouts.
But watch Ali draw strength from the African people in Zaire. Watch him as he focuses on both his training and in the PR for the fight. Watch him mix it up with James Brown in a concert in the days leading up to the fight. Soak in all the eyewitness commentary of Budd Schulberg and George Plimpton and others who were in Zaire.
This is a well made period piece, capturing Ali in the days prior to one of his best nights ever. Excellent!
Movie Review: greatest documentary about greatest sports figure of our time
Summary: 5 Stars
in this viewer's eyes, ali is the greatest sports figure of our time. as i watched this powerful documentary, other sports heroes of mine -- michael jordan, lance armstrong -- faded away in comparison to the athletic skill, courage, wisdom, presence and sheer humanity of ali. focused on ali's fight against foreman in zaire, this documentary is about that and much more. it captures ali at his peak. the humor. the intelligence. the courage. the honesty about race in america. the willingness to stand up for his beliefs at great cost. the phenomenal, unmatched boxing skill. this movie makes clear that ali transcended his sport to become an icon and leader across the globe.
this is one to watch for inspiration, for entertainment, to remember and enjoy, and to show your kids.