Tyson (2008)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

James Toback

Writer:

James Toback (writer)

Release Date:

27 March 2009 (UK)

Genre:

Documentary

Tagline:

The man. The legend. The truth.

Plot:

A mixture of original interviews and archival footage and photographs sheds light on the life experiences of Mike Tyson. |

Plot Keywords:

Mike Tyson | Boxer | One Word Title | Boxing | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Trevor Berbick	...	Himself (archive footage)
William Cayton	...	Himself (archive footage)
Cus D'Amato	...	Himself (archive footage)
James 'Buster' Douglas	...	Himself (archive footage)
Robin Givens	...	Herself (archive footage)
Evander Holyfield	...	Himself (archive footage)
Jim Jacobs	...	Himself (archive footage)
Don King	...	Himself (archive footage)
Monica Turner	...	Herself
Mike Tyson	...	Himself
Desiree Washington	...	Herself (archive footage)

MPAA:

Rated R for language including sexual references.

Runtime:

USA:90 min | France:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R | Portugal:M/12 | Iceland:12 | Finland:K-3 | New Zealand:R13 | Singapore:PG | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Australia:M | Canada:14A (Ontario)

Company:

Fyodor Productions

Trivia:

Director James Toback wanted to get Tyson talking while he was completing rehab, as he felt Tyson would be more clear-headed and willing to speak about some of his life's darker moments. Furthermore, Toback and Tyson had the understanding that no topic would be off limits, nor would Tyson have any say over what footage made the final cut.

Quotes:

Mike Tyson: [asked about Lennox Lewis] I've been friends with him for 15 years. You know I mean, we just like... I fly pigeons, right, this is like a good equation. These pigeons live with each other for ten or fifteen years right. But when I throw feed down, they kill each other to get it. And it's the same way with fighters. We love and respect each other, but we need, we, we, we're like mercenaries, we need that money

Movie Connections:

References "Good Morning America" (1975)

Who knew?

Who knew that Mike Tyson had this inside of him? The best parts of TYSON are when Mike confesses his origins. I won't spoil it, but watching this documentary makes you understand why he is the way he is. The cinematography is great too, as it seems that it was probably shot within a few days but the editing is smooth and interesting. There is a great amount of footage as well, and not just boxing matches. You see Tyson from age 14 to present, training, living, in court, with his family, etc.

The best word to use when describing TYSON is "empathy". Before this movie, I admit, I thought Tyson was a nut. I thought he was just another lunatic professional athlete that was out of control. Not much changed... he WAS a lunatic, he WAS out of control... but you know 100% why after viewing TYSON. And you can't really blame him.

8/10. Highly recommended!