Muhammad Ali's 1974 knockout of George Foreman to regain the heavyweight championship of the world at the age of 32 was probably the greatest sporting moment of the 20th century. Leon Gast's documentary on the "Rumble In The Jungle", When We Were Kings, eventually released in 1996, is probably the finest ever boxing film. The background to the contest was almost as dramatic as the fight itself. It was the first major coup for promoter Don King, a character described in this film as "very clever but completely amoral"--yet this was his finest hour. President Mobutu,... unsavoury dictator of Zaire and a more frightening figure than either boxer, had spent millions of his country's money to host the event. George Foreman, like Sonny Liston before him and Mike Tyson after him, was considered unbeatable, expected to slaughter Ali. Seeing him pounding a dent the size of a grapefruit into a heavy bag during training, you can understand why. Ringside American journalists George Plimpton and in particular Norman Mailer offer exceptionally shrewd insights. As we stare into Ali's face during the minute interval at the end of round one, Mailer talks us through his probable thought processes. "That was the only time I ever saw fear in his eyes." Ali, of course, is the star, besting the sullen Foreman in the build-up with his freewheeling, hilarious braggadocio then outfoxing him in the fight with his "rope-a-dope" technique. Like Ali, the "Rumble In The Jungle" transcended sports in its inspirational significance. --David Stubbs [show more]
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Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play. On September 25, 1974, in the wake of one of the greatest political scandals in its history - the ignominious collapse of the Nixon presidency - America was poised to watch a knockout punch that would redefine it as a nation of champions. In the atmosphere of a three-ring circus, in Zaire, a little known country ruled by a military dictator, on the little-noticed continent of Africa, two American fighters held the world's attention. One would capture the world's imagination. But, four days before the scheduled "Rumble in the Jungle," as the heavyweight championship matchup between reigning title holder George Foreman and challenger Muhammad Ali was called, the promoters announced that there would be a six week delay. And in that time span, as the international media took in the rhythms of the music ant the mysterious beauty of the land, and as anticipation for the fight mounted an entirely new phenomenon evolved - black Americans saw their own generational crossroads reflected in the contrasting images of the two men who had returned to Africa to fight. Actors Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown, B.B. King, Mobutu Sese Seko, Spike Lee, Norman Mailer, George Plimpton & Thomas Hauser Director Leon Gast Certificate PG Year 1996 Screen Widescreen 16:9 Anamorphic Languages English - Dolby Surround Duration 1 hour and 24 minutes (approx)
The true story of the legendary 'Rumble in the Jungle' of 1974, in which Muhammad Ali endured a titanic battle with George Foreman. The fight took place in Zaire amidst a wealth of publicity and political intrigue, and this film, pieced together over 20 years, chronicles it all. Featuring the music of the Fugees, James Brown and BB King, 'When We Were Kings' won an Oscar for Best Feature Documentary.
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