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When We Were Kings

When We Were Kings

The untold story of the Rumble in the Jungle.

19967.61h 29m

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.

Directed by Leon Gast
Written by Leon Gast
Produced by Taylor Hackford, Leon Gast
Box Office0Revenue: $2.7M

Top Cast

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali

Self

George Foreman

George Foreman

Self

Don King

Don King

Self

James Brown

James Brown

Self

B.B. King

B.B. King

Self

Spike Lee

Spike Lee

Self

M

Mobutu Sese Seko

Self

Norman Mailer

Norman Mailer

Self

George Plimpton

George Plimpton

Self

Malick Bowens

Malick Bowens

Self

Themes & Keywords

africaboxerblack magicworld championzairepsychic powersympathyendurancesports documentarypower of loveheavyweight championboxingracist stereotypeheavyweight boxerpower of the peoplesemi-biographicalboxing championsoul musicafrican musicanti-racismafrican dictatorblack powermusic concertsports iconboxing matchmuhammad alipower of positive thinking

About When We Were Kings

When We Were Kings is a documentary, tv movie, history, music film released in 1996 exploring themes of africa, boxer, black magic, world champion, zaire, psychic power. Directed by Leon Gast, it stars Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King. 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.

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