In 1964, a brash new pro boxer, fresh from his olympic gold medal victory, explodes on to the scene, Cassius Clay. Bold and outspoken, he cuts an entirely new image for African Americans in sport with his proud public self confidence with his unapologetic belief that he is the greatest boxer of all time. To his credit, he sets out to prove that with his highly agile and forceful style soon making him a formidable boxer who soon claims the heavyweight championship. His personal life is no less noteworthy with his allegiance to the Nation of Islam, his friendship with the controversial Malcolm X and his abandonment of his slave name in favour of Muhammad Ali stirring up controversy. Yet, at the top of his game, both Ali's personal and professional lives face the ultimate test with the military draft rules are changed, making him eligible for military induction during the Vietnam War....
Written by Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@rogers.com>
Producer Jon Peters first commissioned an Ali screenplay from writer Gregory Allen Howard (
Remember the Titans) in 1994. Though Gregory Allen Howard's screenplay, titled "Power and Grace", was an expansive study of Ali from childhood on, it languished for three years without securing A-list talent.
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Goofs
Continuity:
When the FBI is setting up the wiretaps, the cigarette and ashes jump around in the ashtray between shots.
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Quotes
Muhammad Ali:
This was supposed to be the fight that Muhammad Ali was ended. Supposed the myth that Muhammad was gonna fall! Supposed to be my destruction! Well, they miscalculated, they misjudged, they got it wrong! See more »
Crazy Credits
In the opening credits, as the main title fades away the A of Ali lasts a
little longer than the other two letters.
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"A Change Is Gonna Come"
Written by Sam Cooke Performed by Al Green featuring Booker T. & the M.G.s (as Booker T and the MG's) Courtesy of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Published by Abkco Music, Inc.
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