When We Were Kings

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When We Were Kings

Directed by	Leon Gast
Produced by	Leon Gast Taylor Hackford
Distributed by	Gramercy Pictures (US theatrical) PolyGram Video (US DVD)
Release date(s)	January 1996 (premiere at Sundance) 25 October 1996 (limited) 14 February 1997 3 April 1997 16 May 1997
Running time	89 min.
Country	USA
Language	English
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When We Were Kings is a 1996 documentary film directed by Leon Gast about the famous Rumble in the Jungle heavyweight championship match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman held in Zaïre on October 30, 1974. It is widely regarded as perhaps the best documentary ever made about Ali,^{[citation needed]} and highlights the legendary boxer's trademark wit and charisma, as well as his superb ring generalship during the fight itself. The title refers to the time when Black people were kings and queens in Africa.

[edit] Subject matter

The film shows the buildup to the fight. Ali is shown talking about his beliefs regarding Africans and African-Americans, speaking of the inherent dignity of the native Africans and his hopes for African-Americans in the future. His relationship with the people of Zaire is shown, with the mutual love between Ali and the people of the nation contrasted with Foreman's awkward and unsuccessful efforts to build his own popularity. Promoter Don King is shown working on his first big promotion, and singers James Brown and B. B. King performing in Zaire. This is the only film containing footage of the "black Woodstock" soul music festival accompanying the fight. The film also emphasises the questionable ethics of locating the fight in Zaïre, as it was funded by the brutal dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko.

Norman Mailer, George Plimpton, Spike Lee and Thomas Hauser gave interviews for the film, describing their impressions of Zaire, the fight itself, and particularly their impressions of Ali. The film itself contains these interviews, with many news clips and photos.

The film shows much of the fight itself, particularly Ali's famous "rope-a-dope" which caused Foreman to expend too much energy and resulted in his eighth-round knockout. It describes in detail Ali's repeated use of the "right-hand lead" in the early rounds, a rarely-utilized punch in professional boxing because it opens the boxer up for easy attack, and therefore the punch that Foreman was least prepared for. Ali is shown taking what look like heavy blows from the hard-throwing Foreman, which are lessened by Ali's quick reflexes and use of the ropes. As Foreman throws with power, Ali is able to use his trademark quick hands to damage the heavyweight champion, and in the eighth round Ali knocks out the exhausted Foreman, regaining the championship taken from him for his refusal to be drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War.

A frequent criticism^{[citation needed]} of the film is that it alters facts for dramatic effect. For example, it portrays Ali as having been pummelled by Foreman during the fight, then coming back to win despite everything; in reality, the commentators observing the match were impressed throughout by Ali's speed and tactical brilliance, and Joe Frazier famously said "George is fighting stupid."

A soundtrack album was released in 1997. It features live festival performances in addition to new music by The Fugees, Zelma Davis and the duet When We Were Kings performed by Brian McKnight and Diana King.

[edit] Awards and recognition

When We Were Kings is frequently regarded as one of the best boxing documentaries ever, having received strong reviews from critics such as Roger Ebert [1] and Edward Guthmann^{[citation needed]}.

The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. At the presentation, both Ali and Foreman came up to join the filmmakers to make it clear they had long since made peace since that match.