When We Were Kings poster

When We Were Kings( 1996)

TV-MADocumentaryTV MovieHistoryMusic
77%
User
Score

The untold story of the Rumble in the Jungle.

Overview

It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years younger and the heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece to fight one another, and when they accept, King has only to come up with the money. He finds a willing backer in Mobutu Sese Suko, the dictator of Zaire, and the "Rumble in the Jungle" is set, including a musical festival featuring some of America's top black performers, like James Brown and B.B. King.

    Top Billed Cast

    1. cast image

      Muhammad Ali

      Self

    2. cast image

      George Foreman

      Self

    3. cast image

      Don King

      Self

    4. cast image

      James Brown

      Self

    5. cast image

      B.B. King

      Self

    6. cast image

      Spike Lee

      Self

    7. cast image

      Mobutu Sese Seko

      Self

    8. cast image

      Norman Mailer

      Self

    9. cast image

      George Plimpton

      Self

    10. cast image

      Malick Bowens

      Self

    11. cast image

      Lloyd Price

      Self

    12. cast image

      Miriam Makeba

      Self

    13. cast image

      Drew Bundini Brown

      Self

    14. cast image

      Odessa Clay

      Self

    15. cast image

      Howard Cosell

      Self

    16. cast image

      Wilton Felder

      Self

    17. cast image

      Wayne Henderson

      Self

    18. cast image

      Stix Hooper

      Self

    19. cast image

      Stewart Levin

      Self

    20. cast image

      Alan Pariser

      Self

    21. cast image

      Danny 'Big Black' Rey

      Self

    22. cast image

      Dick Sadler

      Self

    23. cast image

      Joe Sample

      Self

    24. cast image

      Philippé Wynne

      Self

    25. cast image

      Archie Moore

      Self

    26. cast image

      Lola Love

      Self

    27. cast image

      Sonny Liston

      Self (archive footage)

    28. cast image

      Jersey Joe Walcott

      Self (archive footage)

    29. cast image

      Joe Frazier

      Self (archive footage)

    Social

    Review 1Discussion

    A review by pablogeezer

    NaN
    Written by pablogeezer on Wed Aug 28 2013
    Roger Ebert February 27, 1997 The heavyweight title fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire on Oct. 30, 1974--”The Rumble in the Jungle”--is enshrined as one of the great sports events of the century. It was also a cultural and political happening. Into the capital of Kinshasa flew planeloads of performers for an “African Woodstock,” TV crews, Howard Cosell at the head of an international contingent of sports journalists, celebrity fight groupies like Norman Mailer and George Plimpton, and of course the two principals: Ali, then still controversial because of his decision...

    Media

    Videos 1Backdrops 14Posters 17

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    Facts

    Status

    Released

    Original Language

    English

    Budget

    -

    Revenue

    2666118.00

    Keywords

    • africa
    • boxer
    • black magic
    • world champion
    • zaire
    • psychic power
    • sympathy
    • endurance
    • sports documentary
    • power of love
    • heavyweight champion
    • boxing
    • racist stereotype
    • heavyweight boxer
    • power of the people
    • semi-biographical
    • boxing champion
    • soul music
    • african music
    • anti-racism
    • african dictator
    • black power
    • music concert
    • sports icon
    • boxing match
    • muhammad ali
    • power of positive thinking