When We Were Kings poster & wallpaper

B.B. King, Don King, George Foreman

On September 25, 1974, in the wake of one of the greatest political scandals in its history, Watergate, America was poised to watch a knockout punch that would redefine it as a nation of champions. In...( read more  read more... ) the atmosphere of a three-ring circus, in 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 match up 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 and 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 Foreman and Ali.

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91% liked it

7,025 ratings

Critics

98% liked it

41 critics

PG, 1 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Leon Gast

Release Date: October 25, 1996

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DVD Release Date: September 14, 1999

Stats: 479 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (479)

  • Saxia
    August 8, 2008
    Saxia
    Great documentary about a legendary fight between Ali and Foreman in Zaire in 1947.
    Ali is charismatic, articulate, funny and one hell of a character.

    Great soundtrack: James Brown rules :)

    ...( read more)251924">
  • DrBenway
    July 27, 2008
    DrBenway
    Telling the story of the 1974 heavyweight title fight in Zaire between challenger Muhammad Ali and champion George Foreman, the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle," the film is way beyond the quality and substance of other boxing documentaries. Then again, it is not really about box...( read more)ing. At its core, it tells one of the oldest stories, that the power of the mind works its' will upon oneself and upon others, and how to use and overcome fear. Along the way, it touches on race, music, capitalism, dictatorship, voodoo and spectacle. It's a thrilling documentary.

    Included in the drama of a heavyweight title fight is also footage of a planned music festival that played out in Kinshasa before the "Rumble In The Jungle", starring James Brown, B.B. King, and a host of other top African American acts at the time. To say that their performances are electrifying may seem a bit cliche, but there's really no other word for it.

    Those unfamiliar with the Ali legacy, other than surface material and a movie starring Will Smith, would do well to start with this very personal look at times and events represented by a boxing match between Ali and George Foreman that was made possible by two other men with sheer forces of will including differing levels of sadism in them, promoter Don King and the dictator of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Suko.
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  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    January 11, 2008
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    One of the best documentaries ever made.
  • DrZeek
    July 18, 2007
    DrZeek
    Muhammad Ali: Bad, fast! Fast! Fast! Last night I cut the light off in my bedroom, hit the switch and was in the bed before the room was dark.

    A well made documentary about Muhammad Ali, focusing mainly on the Rumble in the Jungle, the fight of Ali against George Foreman in Zair...( read more)e.

    Although I would have liked to see a documentary encompassing Ali's life as a whole, including his early time as a boxer, when he was still Cassius Clay and his relationship with Malcolm X and other earlier parts of his career.

    Still, this isn't about that, this is about Ali's huge ego, how he talks, what happens for these two fighters as they make their way to Africa, what goes on there, the fight itself and the aftermath.

    It also helps that we are shown a lot of footage of Ali just talking. He is such a fun character to watch.

    We are also treated to a great soundtrack, featuring live performances from James Brown in Africa, as well as other good soul, rock, and African music.

    The interviews are interesting, taking place during and around the actual fight. We see a lot of coverage of many of the aspects in Africa.

    Well done feature that covers a lot of info concerning a particular time.

    Muhammad Ali: I done something new for this fight! I done rassled with a alligator! That's right, I have rassled with a alligator. I done tussled with a whale! I done handcuffed lightning, throwed thunder in jail! That's *bad*. Only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick. I'm so mean, I make medicine sick!
  • mjgildea
    October 31, 2006
    mjgildea
    A really great documentary.
  • jscottcorley
    June 30, 2009
    jscottcorley
    This didn't even need to be about The Rumble in the Jungle. 90 minutes of just documenting Ali's charisma would have gotten four stars.
  • khalbone
    January 26, 2009
    khalbone
    this is the best sports documentary ever made. Muhammad ali gears up to fight George formen in the Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire, although the fight was delayed for 6 weeks you get to see Muhammad ali in his rawist form embracing africa havin fun and rhymmin. this is really good...( read more) movie a must have
  • skinnyfists
    December 26, 2008
    skinnyfists
    Holds your attention well considering they only deal with the 'rumble in the jungle' in the last 15 mins.
  • proxy55555
    August 17, 2008
    proxy55555
    underrated / underseen documentary
  • laney33
    June 24, 2008
    laney33
    I just couldn't get into it.

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Critic Reviews

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

There is a palpable tension, as the two men step into the ring, that is not lessened because we know the outcome. full review

View more When We Were Kings reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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