Review of When We Were Kings (1996) by Jim F — 05 Nov 2011

This must be one of the greatest sports documentary movies of all time. It was more than about just the one fight. It gave you an excellent insight into the mood of heavyweight boxing during that era. It also doubles up as a documentary about Mohammed Ali himself, showing action from many of his previous fights.

But more interesting than that is the footage of the man himself talking himself up, and talking his opponents down. And it wasn't just the clips we've all seen before. In this movie you get to see Ali spouting off during training runs in the African desert, whilst being readied for a fight and many other environments where Ali's charm is shown in everyday situations, and not in a pre written form that most people see in pre-match interviews etc.

The movie gives me the undoubted opinion that Ali is the greatest sportsman ever, because of his charm, intelligence, excitement, morals, and his comeback ability. I was only 3 when the fight with Foreman happened, but from watching this movie, I can see how much of an underdog Ali was at the time and how much his win must have surprised everybody in the world of sports.

The greatest comeback of all time, by the greatest sportsman of all time. The content of this movie is so engaging I never wanted it to get the actual fight. And the movie is not short. I never wanted it to end.

It left me gasping for more footage of Ali,, the man.