Ali (2001)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film: 157 Minutes (Directors Cut: 165 Minutes)

Rated: R 

Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport

Director: Michael Mann

Starring: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mykelti Williamson, Barry Shabaka Henley.

IMDB Rank: 6.8/10

Part 1 Time:  99 Minutes (Directors Cut: N/A)

Part 2 Time:  58 Minutes (Directors Cut: N/A)

Where does the first part end? Muhammad Ali/Cassius Clay (Will Smith) sits in his dressing room following his win over Jerry Quarry (Robert Sale). Hertbert Muhammad (Barry Shabaka Henley) speaks with Ali. Also in the dressing room, Drew ‘Bundini’ Brown (Jamie Foxx) speaks to reporters.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “How do you deal with it boy?” Drew ‘Bundini’ Brown speaks to reporters.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Hello, Muhammad it’s for you.” A woman hands the phone to Muhammad Ali following the United States Supreme Court’s decision on the case Clay v. United States.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, at this point in the film, Muhammad Ali has now proven himself as a top contender for the WBA and WBC heavyweight titles. However his draft evasion conviction makes fighting in Untied States and abroad difficult. Will Ali have the chance to fight Joe Frazier (James Toney) and regain the titles he was stripped of.

Which part is better? Part one focuses on social/polictial struggles Muhammad Ali’s faces with his continued allegiance to the Nation of Islam and the United States Military. Part two limelights the pre-events leading up to the ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ and the match itself. Both parts have redeeming qualities due to the Ali’s ability to address the many social injustices he faces throughout the 1960’s-1970’s. But part two is given a slight edge as it recreates what some have called ” … the greatest sporting event of the 20th century.” (Kang, 2013; McDougall, 2014, pp.149).

Academy Awards: Best Leading Actor (Nominated- Will Smith), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated Jon Voight).