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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is magical stuff. Whether you're a fight fan or not, the way this film is made is beyond compare. Outlining Ali's early rise from Louisville, Kentucky to become heaviweight champion, and then in detail through the build up to the Rumble in the Jungle fight with Foreman in Zaire, this is not merely a story about a boxer. This shows Ali as a political leader, a philosopher, a poet, a bully, a gentle giant, an arrogant kid, a graceful ambassador... all a man can be and more. With input from some of the great journalistic talents of our time - George Plimpton, Norman Mailer - and a soundtrack that is so much more than background music (James Brown amongst others), this is how all films should be made, let alone documentaries.
Inspiring, exciting, and memorable, this film deserved its Oscar, and deserves its place in every collection.
Inspiring, exciting, and memorable, this film deserved its Oscar, and deserves its place in every collection.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
When we were Kings is a stunning portrait of not only one of the most famous World Title Fights of all time, but a real insight into a 'Time' and a 'Place'.
The 'Time' being 1974, a time when the World was still reeling from one of the greatest political scandels of all time, with the fall of the Nixon Administration. It was also a time of coulor, and music, which are beautifuly conveyed in this presentation.
The 'Place' was the relatavly unnoticed and mysterious land of Zaire, in the forgoten continent of Africa.
Zaire was the chosen venue to bring these two Kings into the same ring, due to a massive financial investment, made by the then military dictator, President Mobutu.
The Champion, the unforgiving brooding George Forman, was at the height of his short career, where the proud American had seen off all the big name challengers to his crown with relative ease.
The Challenger, the former champion, and soon to be idle of Zaire, Muhammed Ali. The well informed fight writers, and Ali fans in general, made no secret of the fact that they feared for Ali in this fight.
Ali dominates the biuld up to this fight, and openly courts the people of Zaire, calling them his true brothers. In return, he gained an overwhelming support in the build up, and at the fight itself. Ali continualy impressed his true brothers, and fight fans prior to the fight, with his continual promise that he was 'gonna dance!'
The presentation moves at pace toward the highly anticipated showdown, and the fight itself delivers a twist which many at the time will never truely forget. With the chalenger constantly bating Foreman throughout the fight by repeatdly saying "you suprise me George" "you dont hit hard enough George", and then compleatly doing the oposite to his promise of 'im gonna dance', by leaning back onto the ropes, and inviting the huge champion to finish him off at any time. So much so, that Foreman had punched himself out by the middle of Eigth round. It was then that the Greatest of them all came off the ropes, and finished the job, with The Champion being knocked down, and counted out.
With the big American soul artists (James Brown, BB King, and many others) in town throughout the build up, this Movie/Documentry captures all that was great about this 'Time' and elevates the viewer to a place of, one of the Greatest Sporting occasions of all time,to a time, when... 'They were Truely Kings'.
The 'Time' being 1974, a time when the World was still reeling from one of the greatest political scandels of all time, with the fall of the Nixon Administration. It was also a time of coulor, and music, which are beautifuly conveyed in this presentation.
The 'Place' was the relatavly unnoticed and mysterious land of Zaire, in the forgoten continent of Africa.
Zaire was the chosen venue to bring these two Kings into the same ring, due to a massive financial investment, made by the then military dictator, President Mobutu.
The Champion, the unforgiving brooding George Forman, was at the height of his short career, where the proud American had seen off all the big name challengers to his crown with relative ease.
The Challenger, the former champion, and soon to be idle of Zaire, Muhammed Ali. The well informed fight writers, and Ali fans in general, made no secret of the fact that they feared for Ali in this fight.
Ali dominates the biuld up to this fight, and openly courts the people of Zaire, calling them his true brothers. In return, he gained an overwhelming support in the build up, and at the fight itself. Ali continualy impressed his true brothers, and fight fans prior to the fight, with his continual promise that he was 'gonna dance!'
The presentation moves at pace toward the highly anticipated showdown, and the fight itself delivers a twist which many at the time will never truely forget. With the chalenger constantly bating Foreman throughout the fight by repeatdly saying "you suprise me George" "you dont hit hard enough George", and then compleatly doing the oposite to his promise of 'im gonna dance', by leaning back onto the ropes, and inviting the huge champion to finish him off at any time. So much so, that Foreman had punched himself out by the middle of Eigth round. It was then that the Greatest of them all came off the ropes, and finished the job, with The Champion being knocked down, and counted out.
With the big American soul artists (James Brown, BB King, and many others) in town throughout the build up, this Movie/Documentry captures all that was great about this 'Time' and elevates the viewer to a place of, one of the Greatest Sporting occasions of all time,to a time, when... 'They were Truely Kings'.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Your chance to see the most beautiful, exciting and charismatic sportsman of all time, at his peak. You don't need to be a fight fan to enjoy this. This film is excellently crafted with just the right amounts of tension, humour, action and documentary. Ali is irresistible in and out of the ring. His wit and charm will leave you smiling for hours and his boxing will take your breath away. Added to the colour of african dancers, Don King; the music of James Brown and BB King; excellent interviews with Norman Mailer and Spike Lee and you know, you're watching a classic. I can't reccomend it highly enough.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
When We Were Kings
A fascinating document of a great moment in sporting and cultural history, When We Were Kings received an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Colin
when we were kings
brilliant dvd, for any boxing fan worth viewing. Great combination of boxing history, as well as the political tensions related to the match. Read more
Published 16 months ago by KZ
Excelent documentary!
The best documentary I've ever seen! Perfectly shot so the viewers don't get boored at any time; it shows not only the fight between Ali and Foreman, but also the history behind... Read more
Published 18 months ago by José
A Great Boxing Documentary
This is a fantastic documentary that shows the chemistry and elements that had to come together to bring about one of the greatest boxing/sporting events of all time to life... Read more
Published 18 months ago by S. Seal
Truly great story of a champion emerging from certain defeat
Forget the boxing... forget what you now know of Ali... this is stunning, stunning stuff.
This film captures the spirit of the time and tells a timeless story of how Ali... Read more
This film captures the spirit of the time and tells a timeless story of how Ali... Read more
Published on 2 April 2010 by Guy Edmondson
Great Documentary, Not So Great Fight Comentary
I have watched this DVD time and time again, but I have also watched the actual fight time and time again. Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2009 by J. M. Salinas
Classic!
A great insight into the myterious life of 'Ali'! Fantastic footage from a memorable fight, well worth a watch! Enjoy...
Published on 27 July 2009 by bear
When We Were Kings
I bought this DVD having seen a small part of the film & having seen the original fight on TV in 1974. The film is about much more than just a fight though. Read more
Published on 24 July 2009 by MrX
Magnificent
Truly a legendary figure. This is an astonishing DVD and possibly the best sports piece I ghave ever watched. Ali? What a man. Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2008 by Bookworm
Required viewing for all boxing fans
I stopped watching boxing regularly once Robin Givens' ex went into freefall (apols but can't remember his name right now). Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2008 by Sweetness
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