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

When We Were Kings (1996)

Poster for When We Were Kings

The untold story of the Rumble in the Jungle.

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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Cast & Crew

Director
Leon Gast
  • Profile picture of Muhammad Ali
    Self Muhammad Ali
  • Profile picture of George Foreman
    Self George Foreman
  • Profile picture of Don King
    Self Don King
  • Profile picture of James Brown
    Self James Brown
  • Profile picture of B.B. King
    Self B.B. King
  • Profile picture of Spike Lee
    Self Spike Lee
  • Profile picture of Norman Mailer
    Self Norman Mailer
  • Profile picture of George Plimpton
    Self George Plimpton

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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