When We Were Kings DVD > Reviews > Ali boom ayah

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding

Advantages:	Great use of footage, analysis from experts and pieced together wonderfully
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

'When We Were Kings' is a documentary by Leon Gast, centred around the 'Rumble in the Jungle', the boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, which will undoubtedly go down as one of the most famous sporting events in history. Held in Kinshasa, Zaire, the event generated massive interest from all around the world.

The documentary focuses primarily on Muhammad Ali, who at this point in his career, and with Foreman's dominance in the boxing world at the time, was seen as the underdog in the fight. Ali's charisma, personality and charm meant he was always going to be the man the fight centred around.

'When We Were Kings' charts the build-up to the fight, utilising interviews with experts in the boxing field, members of the media who were in Zaire at the time of the fight, and natives of Zaire as well as interviews and press conferences with the two boxers involved. It tells of us how the natives felt a connection with Ali and supported him over Foreman. Ali saw going to Zaire as a homecoming. He was going back to his African roots. We see footage of both men's preparations for the fight, including insight into the psychological warfare between the two both in interviews and even in their training methods.

The documentary explains how Zaire, an unusual location for such a huge sporting event, was chosen as the host for the fight. We get background information on Zaire and it's leader.

The documentary begins its conclusion with footage from the fight, complete with analysis of the tactics involved, primarily Ali's "Rope-A-Dope" technique, which saw Ali leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, taking vicious blows from the immensely powerful Foreman, and in the process making Foreman tired before Ali himself moved in for the kill. We hear of and see how Ali almost mocked Foreman by using a right arm lead, a risky move in boxing because for a right hander it is the punch which has to travel the longest distance before connecting.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the documentary is how the director successfully captures the contrast between Ali and Foreman, with Ali's interviews being much more entertaining, with Foreman's training being much more focused on power and with the overwhelming support of the Zaire public being in Ali's corner.

And finally we see the knockout from Ali, a moment which defined the career of the most famous boxer in the world. Knocking out the bigger, stronger champion was seen as an improbable task by most and an impossible task by many pundits.

'When We Were Kings' is by far the most gripping and informative documentary I have seen on the fight. It captures everything about it, from the build-up to the fight itself and is a must see for boxing fans or fans of Ali in particular.