When We Were Kings (1996)

A documentary of the 1974 heavyweight championship bout in Zaire between champion George Foreman and underdog challenger Muhammad Ali.

Director:

Leon Gast

Stars:

Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King

Won 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Muhammad Ali	...	Himself
George Foreman	...	Himself
Don King	...	Himself
James Brown	...	Himself
B.B. King	...	Himself
Mobutu Sese Seko	...	Himself (President of Zaire)
Spike Lee	...	Himself
Norman Mailer	...	Himself - Writer
George Plimpton	...	Himself - Writer
Thomas Hauser	...	Himself
Malick Bowens	...	Himself - Artist (as Malik Bowens)
Lloyd Price	...	Himself - Concert Promoter
The Spinners	...	Themselves
Miriam Makeba	...	Herself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Drew Bundini Brown	...	Himself - Ali's Ass't Trainer (as Drew 'Bundini' Brown)

Storyline

It's 1974, Muhammed Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Forman is ten years younger and the Heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece to fight one another, and when they accept, King has only to come up with the money. He finds a backer in Mobutu Sese Suko, the dictator of Zaire and the "Rumble in the Jungle" is set. A musical festival, featuring the America's top black performers, like James Brown and B.B. King, is also planned.

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Plot Keywords:

zaire | muhammad ali | underdog | sympathy | sweat | 

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Taglines:

The untold story of the Rumble in the Jungle

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Genres:

Documentary | History | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for images of violence, brief nudity and some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 February 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amikor királyok voltunk - Muhammad Ali

Box Office

Gross:

$2,666,118 (USA) (6 June 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Das Films, David Sonenberg Production, Polygram Filmed Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Though almost all of the footage in this documentary was shot by producer/director Leon Gast in 1974, one reason it took 23 years to complete was because the negative and rights to the film were entangled in civil suits involving the Liberians who financed the movie's making.

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Quotes

Muhammad Ali: I'm young, I'm handsome, I'm fast, I'm pretty and can't possibly be beat.

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Connections

Featured in Zomergasten: Episode #10.3 (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud"
Written by James Brown and Pee Wee Ellis (as Alfred James Ellis)
Dynatone Publishing Co. (BMI)
(Admin. By Warner Tamerlane Publishing Corp.) (BMI)
Performed by James Brown
Featuring Fred Wesley

User Reviews

" Muhammad Ali, he was like a sleeping elephant. You can do whatever you want around a sleeping elephant; whatever you want. But when he wakes up, he tramples everything"

First I must say that the editing is some of the best I have seen.WOW is the right world for this film.I have seen it four times and still I think it´s as interesting as the first time you see it.Muhammad Ali is really a genius and I think you will understand that when you see this film.The film is also very good because of people like Spike Lee,Malick Bowens and George Plimpton tells fascinating observations about the time.

"I'm young, I'm handsome, I'm fast, I'm pretty and can't possibly be beat"

This film really made me think and I would call it a masterpiece.You will also see great MUSICIANS such as B.B King,James Brown and the Spinners.I recommend this film to everybody,you don´t even need to like boxing to love this film.5/5