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The Great White Hope (1970)

103 min  -  Biography | Drama | Romance  -   16 October 1970 (USA)
7.0
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Ratings: 7.0/10 from 1,286 users  
Reviews: 21 user | 8 critic

A black champion boxer and his white female companion struggle to survive while the white boxing establishment looks for ways to knock him down.

Director:

Martin Ritt

Writers:

Howard Sackler (play), Howard Sackler (screenplay)
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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 5 nominations See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Earl Jones ...
Jack Jefferson
Jane Alexander ...
Eleanor Backman
Lou Gilbert Lou Gilbert ...
Goldie
Joel Fluellen Joel Fluellen ...
Tick
Chester Morris ...
Robert Webber Robert Webber ...
Dixon
Marlene Warfield Marlene Warfield ...
Clara
R.G. Armstrong R.G. Armstrong ...
Cap'n Dan
Hal Holbrook ...
Al Cameron
Beah Richards ...
Mama Tiny
Moses Gunn ...
Scipio
Lloyd Gough Lloyd Gough ...
Smith aka Smitty, Evening Mirror Reporter
George Ebeling George Ebeling ...
Fred
Larry Pennell Larry Pennell ...
Frank Brady, Boxer
Roy Glenn Roy Glenn ...
Pastor (as Roy E. Glenn Sr.)
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Storyline

Jack Jefferson (James Earl Jones) as a boxer, dealing with the racism and hatred of early-20th century white America. He is not only the first black heavyweight contender; he is also in love with a white woman. Jefferson must not only deal with the hatred of whites, he must also deal with the ostracism of some members of the black community who feel he has sold out. Written by Wayne Hustis <styx@hotmail.com>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Boxer | Boxing | Champion | Racism | Love  | See more »

Taglines:

He could beat any white man in the world. He just couldn't beat all of them.

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance | Sport

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, and for language including racist dialogue (re-rating) (1997) See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hungarian | German | Spanish

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

L'insurgé See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Inspired by the story of the black boxer Jack Johnson, who was heavyweight champion from 1908 to 1915. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: In the first scene in which we see Jefferson practicing, the sweat on his shirt changes from shot to shot in a way that wouldn't be predicted by evaporation. See more »

Quotes

Reporter: Now you're the first black man in the history of the ring who's ever had a crack at the heavyweight title. Now white folks, of course, are behind Brady. He's the redeemer of the race and so on. But you, Jack Jefferson, are you the black hope?
Jack Jefferson: Well, I'm black and I'm hopin'.
Goldie: Answer him straight, Jack.
Jack Jefferson: Hey, look, man, I ain't fighting for no race, I ain't redeeming nobody. My mama told me *Mr. Lincoln* done that. Ain't that why you shot him?
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Connections

Featured in Century of Black Cinema (2003) See more »

Soundtracks

"Let Me Hold You In My Arms Tonight"
Written and Performed by Jesse Fuller See more »