Fallen Champ - The Untold Story Of Mike Tyson [VHS] [1993]

Barbara Kopple's story is beautifully constructed, from accounts recalling Tyson's early days growing up on the streets of Brownsville, through his association with Cus D'Amato, the rise to heavyweight champion, and his ultimate fall from grace. The merit of this work lies in its ability to show the human side of Mike Tyson in a manner that is both captivating and emotional, revealing the insecurities and sensitivity of the fighter through astonishing footage of Tyson as a young amateur, and opposing this dimension with scenes of violence in the ring as the boxer becomes progressively more accomplished and comfortable with "the hurt business".

Tyson is an intriguing character to say the least, and through Kopple's lens we see the many intricacies and dimensions to him that are lost in a blaze of fury when he enters the ring. The director uses footage of those who knew Tyson and were instrumental in crafting him into the Ring Destroyer he became to tell the story as it unfolds, and it holds the attention like few documentaries ever could. In addition to an expert narrative unravelled by the protagonists themselves, Kopple maintains an exceptional visual fabric throughout by using the metaphor of pigeons flying to freedom, just as Tyson bred them and longed to fly with them as a child trapped in the violence of the ghettos.

In charting his boxing career the video is fantastic, presenting with unmistakable clarity the "elusive aggression" that was the hallmark of Tyson's style. Artistry and poetry in motion, we see the young Tyson tear through the heavyweight division to capture the championship, before his life begins to spiral out of control.

Throughout the documentary, you get the impression that Kopple clearly perceived Tyson as a victim - used and abused by those closest to him throughout his career. The viewer is left with a clear picture of a young man whose talent and ability threw him into a world of fame and fortune that he could not comprehend, and leads us to believe that the pariahs surrounding him from the outset were a deciding factor in constructing the emotional timebomb the boxer eventually became.

From losing the championship to eventually losing his freedom, Tyson is cast as one of the great American tragedies. I challenge anyone who thinks of Tyson as a one-dimensional thug to watch this video. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the human portrayal he is given here will forever change your opinions on the man "for whom violence was not just a job, but a way of life".