The Great White Hype (1996)

When the champ's promoter, Reverend Sultan, decides something new is needed to boost the marketability of the boxing matches, he searches and finds the only man to ever beat the champ. The ... See full summary »

Director:

Reginald Hudlin

Writers:

Tony Hendra (screenplay), Ron Shelton (screenplay)

Stars:

Samuel L. Jackson, Jeff Goldblum, Damon Wayans

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Rev. Fred Sultan
Jeff Goldblum	...	Mitchell Kane
Peter Berg	...	Terry Conklin
Corbin Bernsen	...	Peter Prince
Jon Lovitz	...	Sol
Cheech Marin	...	Julio Escobar
John Rhys-Davies	...	Johnny Windsor
Salli Richardson-Whitfield	...	Bambi (as Salli Richardson)
Jamie Foxx	...	Hassan El Ruk'n
Rocky Carroll	...	Artemus St. John Saint
Albert Hall	...	Roper's Manager
Susan Gibney	...	Vivian
Michael Jace	...	Marvin Shabazz
Duane Davis	...	Palace Guard #1
Lamont Johnson	...	Palace Guard #2

Storyline

When the champ's promoter, Reverend Sultan, decides something new is needed to boost the marketability of the boxing matches, he searches and finds the only man to ever beat the champ. The problem is that he isn't a boxer anymore and he's white. However, once Reverend Sultan convinces him to fight, he goes into heavy training, while the confident champ takes it easy, and falls out of shape.

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Plot Keywords:

oral sex | boxer | boxing | blaxploitation | las vegas nevada | 

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Taglines:

If you can't find the perfect contender....make one.

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Genres:

Comedy | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 May 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Didzioji baltoji apgaule

Filming Locations:

Hoover Dam, Arizona-Nevada Border, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$7,874,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Atman Entertainment, Fred Berner Films, Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song Terry Conklin and his band are performing in the club when Sultan comes to see him is "Feed" by the band Local H.

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Goofs

Since the beginning of the film Roper is clearly not in the physical shape an experienced professional heavyweight boxer has to be in.

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Quotes

James Roper: I'll beat him with my blackness.

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Crazy Credits

While walking back to dressing room after fight, Conklin is followed by two little people from his entourage.

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Connections

Referenced in Mike & Mike: Episode dated 12 May 2015 (2015)

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Soundtracks

Who's The Champion
Performed by Ghostface Killah featuring RZA
Written by RZA (as Robert Diggs Jr.) and Ghostface Killah (as Dennis Coles)
Produced by RZA
Ghostface Killah appears courtesy of Razor Sharp Records
RZA appears courtesy of Loud Records

User Reviews

Funny, Boxing Insider type Movie

First of all, this movie is funny. Even if you're not an insider to the world of boxing, this film makes many references you'll recognize and goes over the top with it and with some of the flamboyant people who have graced the sport.

Then there is the whole idea of finding a white boxer, besides the obligatory "Rocky" that is, that people can get behind to breathe new life into the sport.

Here you have every stereotype of that world thrown in from the promoters to the media personnel who made boxing what it is today -- Hype.

Here is a promoter who is keeping his client from fighting the one guy who can actually beat him (hence ruin their meal tickets), to come up with someone else to make Hype and recover funds he already spent that he can't pay the boxing champ. That among other things. Samuel L. Jackson is fun to watch as is Jeff Goldblum and Jamie Fox and Damon Wayons as the over-hyped champ. Rounding this out is the usual bottom feeders played well by Jon Lovitz and Corbin Bernsen. This movie can be uneven at times, but overall its entertainment, and a sarcastic view into the boxing promotion world like no other. Two stars out of four.