Os Campeões do Boxe (1996)

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

Director:

Leon Gast

Stars:

Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King

Won 1 Oscar. Another 11 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

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

Storyline

It's 1974, Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman 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 Seko, 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:

title fight | africa | zaire | boxing | african american | 

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Taglines:

The untold story of the Rumble in the Jungle

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Genres:

Documentary | Sport

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Certificate:

M/12

Did You Know?

Trivia

Amongst the guest stars featured, was soul singer James Brown.

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Quotes

[Responding to Howard Cosell]
Muhammad Ali: I'm gonna let everybody know that that thing you got on your head is a phony, and it comes from the tail of a pony!

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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

Impressive Documentary of an Historic Event!

The fight between Muhammad Ali aka Cassius Clay and George Foreman in Zaire. The fight was nicknamed the rumble in the jungle. The documentary follows Ali and Foreman. It also has insight from writers and witnesses, Norman Mailer and George Plimpton, and African American film director, Spike Lee, who later directed the film, "Ali." This documentary is a rare treasure that captures history, culture, and relationships. Ali is the underdog in the ring against Foreman on October 30, 1974. The outcome is remarkable as is the story behind both fighters. Ali is proud of being an African American, honest, opinionated, and vocal about civil rights in America and in Africa. He was proud to see Africans who flew, lived, and governed their own country. Sadly, Ali isn't well with Parkinsons. The disease has crippled his voice but not his message in recent years. The documentary is historical for so many reasons.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

14 August 1998 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Os Campeões do Boxe

Filming Locations:

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,479, 27 October 1996

Gross USA:

$2,789,985

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,789,985

Company Credits

Production Co:

Das Films, David Sonenberg Production, Polygram Filmed Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1