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When We Were Kings (1996)
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Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Director:
Release Date:
14 February 1997 (USA)
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Genre:
Tagline:
The untold story of the Rumble in the Jungle
Plot:
A documentary of the 1974 heavyweight championship bout in Zaire between champion George Foreman and underdog challenger Muhammad Ali. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar.
Another 6 wins
&
3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(23 articles)
Blu-Ray Review: ‘Soul Power’ Lacks Substance, Compensates With Soul
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 29 January 2010, 12:34 PM, PST)
Strong documentaries continue Sundance tradition
(From The Guardian - Film News. 29 January 2010, 2:01 AM, PST)
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 29 January 2010, 12:34 PM, PST)
Strong documentaries continue Sundance tradition
(From The Guardian - Film News. 29 January 2010, 2:01 AM, PST)
User Reviews:
More than just a good boxing story, it's an examination of cultural history
more (43 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Muhammad Ali | ... | Himself | |
| George Foreman | ... | Himself | |
| Don King | ... | Himself | |
| James Brown | ... | Himself | |
| B.B. King | ... | Himself | |
| Mobutu Sese Seko | ... | Himself (President of Zaire) | |
| Spike Lee | ... | Himself | |
| Norman Mailer | ... | Himself | |
| George Plimpton | ... | Himself | |
| Thomas Hauser | ... | Himself | |
| Malick Bowens | ... | Himself | |
| Lloyd Price | ... | Himself | |
| Wilton Felder | ... | Himself (sax, The Crusaders) | |
| Wayne Henderson | ... | Himself (trombone, The Crusaders) | |
| Stix Hooper | ... | Himself (drums, The Crusaders) |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for images of violence, brief nudity and some language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
89 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Netherlands:12 |
Australia:PG |
Finland:S |
France:U |
Germany:12 (bw) |
Portugal:M/12 |
Singapore:NC-16 |
Spain:13 |
UK:PG |
USA:PG
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Quotes:
Malik Bowens:
Muhammad Ali, he was like a sleeping elephant. You can do whatever you want around a sleeping elephant; whatever you want. But when he wakes up, he tramples everything.
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Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Be Kind Rewind (2008)
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Soundtrack:
Am Am Pondo
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (43 total)
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To focus only on Ali (like or dislike), or just the significance of the boxing match alone, would be missing the point of this movie. Tell your friends that it's not just a sports movie! It is a Documentary that focuses not only on the fight, but on the black culture in the U.S. and Zaire. That's culture as defined by its people, music, athletes, politics, business and other innumerable parts, as observed by several different people, inside and outside.The insights offered by George Plimpton and Norman Mailer are priceless. It's history and entertainment together, and thoroughly enjoyable to watch. It would be simplistic and unjust to reject the Documentary because of personal prejudices or disagreement with Ali's politics. It is also a mistake to isolate and criticize colourful comments, chants and poetry (!)that were uttered purely to entertain and "psych" the opponent.
Not only was Ali a great boxer and a great entertainer, he is an intelligent and articulate man. He uses his high profile to deliver messages of racial pride, heritage, hope and peace. The fact that Parkinson's Disease has physically afflicted and almost silenced this man is a tragedy. We have been deprived of hearing what the 26 years of life experience since 1974 may have done to Ali's outlook and beliefs. Writing this has inspired me to go to the library; maybe he hasn't been silenced totally, and someone is talking for him. Like this film, it's a subject worth investigating!