When We Were Kings (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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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Quotes

[first lines]
Muhammad Ali: Yeah, I'm from Africa. Yeah, Africa's my home. Damn America and what America thinks. Yeah, I live in America; but, Africa's the home of the black man. And I was a slave 400 years ago and I'm going back home to fight among my brothers. Yeah!

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Connections

Featured in Zomergasten: Episode #10.3 (1997)

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Soundtracks

Young Rabbits
Written by Wayne Henderson
EMI U Catalog Inc. (ASCAP)
Performed by The Crusaders

User Reviews

Superb documentary, excellent movie.

I watched this movie last night on CBC, my third viewing. It keeps getting better. As fascinating a story as one would ever hope to see in any movie. In case anyone does not know why Muhammed Ali was widely named as the athlete of the century by many in 1999. This film will explain.

Ironically, the long delay in finishing and releasing this film may have improved the finished product. The increased perspective of more than a decade may have sharpened the editing choices. Not a method I would recommend as it is rather hard on the artist, but we benefit in this case.

It is important to recognize that whatever this film started out as, it became a study of Ali. And what a subject for study. What an athlete, what a man.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

14 February 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

When We Were Kings

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