Tyson (2008)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

James Toback

Writer:

James Toback (writer)

Release Date:

27 March 2009 (UK)

Genre:

Documentary

Tagline:

The man. The legend. The truth.

Plot:

A mixture of original interviews and archival footage and photographs sheds light on the life experiences of Mike Tyson. |

Plot Keywords:

Mike Tyson | Boxer | One Word Title | Boxing | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Trevor Berbick	...	Himself (archive footage)
William Cayton	...	Himself (archive footage)
Cus D'Amato	...	Himself (archive footage)
James 'Buster' Douglas	...	Himself (archive footage)
Robin Givens	...	Herself (archive footage)
Evander Holyfield	...	Himself (archive footage)
Jim Jacobs	...	Himself (archive footage)
Don King	...	Himself (archive footage)
Monica Turner	...	Herself
Mike Tyson	...	Himself
Desiree Washington	...	Herself (archive footage)

MPAA:

Rated R for language including sexual references.

Runtime:

USA:90 min | France:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R | Portugal:M/12 | Iceland:12 | Finland:K-3 | New Zealand:R13 | Singapore:PG | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Australia:M | Canada:14A (Ontario)

Company:

Fyodor Productions

Trivia:

To gage what effect "Tyson" would have on audiences, James Toback asked the opinions of the film's opposite demographic: older white women who were disinterested in boxing. He asked that they come to his editing suite and watch the film. If they left after 5 minutes, Toback would give them $100 USD. If they stayed after 5 minutes, they would have to stay for the whole picture - and give Toback extensive feedback on the film. According to Toback, not one woman left after 5 minutes, and many were in tears by the film's finale.

Quotes:

Mike Tyson: In a fight, in the streets, not like the ring, it has to be almost to the death because you never know. If you don't knock them out cold or you don't him half to death, he'll go home and come back with a gun or come back with a friend with a gun, or gang of people. Normally a fight on the street is deadly.

Movie Connections:

References "Sesame Street" (1969)

A View on Mike Tyson's Life From Tyson's Eyes

An excellent narrative on Mike Tyson's life from his point of view. The narrative is all done by Mike himself. Watching this movie you feel like you're sitting in front of Mike Tyson asking him to tell you his life story.

The movie itself I believe is not scripted since it's Mike Tyson himself telling us and the way he spoke seems genuine and full of holes in logic. In short it seemed honest enough.

Seeing this documentary, you gain a good amount of perspective about Tyson's personality, his life, how he think, his problems, and the people around him. The best part for me was when he explained why he bite Holyfield's ears.

Definitely one to watch for his fans. If you're not a Tyson or boxing fan, you might get a little bored.