I had the opportunity to see this rarely shown movie yesterday at the American Museum of the Moving Image. In addition, the director was there to hold a question-and-answer session after the film. This film is way way more interesting, compelling, complex, and gloss-free than the recent film When We Were Kings (which was very good in its own right). It deals, in cinema verité style, with the weeks leading up to, and the immediate aftermath of, the 1971 Ali-Frazier fight. There are many scenes that take place on the streets of Manhattan, during which the camera eavesdrops on the passionate arguments between ordinary citizens who were of the two strictly divided Ali and Frazier fight-fan camps. The exciting fight is shown--all 15 rounds--in its entirety, without any sportscaster's narration--a conscious and brilliant decision by the director. The movie is better than When We Were Kings because it is less blatantly in Ali's camp--in that movie Foreman, a charismatic man in his own right, is portrayed as an inarticulate, unintelligent boxer who deserved no respect. In Ali: The Fighter both fighters are revealed as complicated, graceful, and intelligent boxers as well as human beings. Also--since it takes place in 1971, the Vietnam War era, when Ali was much-maligned and hated by many people for his conscientious-objector status--it makes for a much more psychologically interesting film.  This is a must-see for any boxing/Ali/Frazier/documentary fan. Unfortunately it's not available on video as of yet. Apparently, plans are in the works.

The sports documentary features sports-related topics, athletes, teams, competitions, and the broader cultural significance of sports. These documentaries provide insights into the world of sports, showcasing athletes' journeys, triumphs, challenges, and the impact of sports on society.

The biography, or "biopic", is a genre that portrays the life story of a real person, often a notable individual or historical figure. They aim to provide a depiction of the subject's personal history, achievements, challenges, and impact on society.

Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

The sport genre features the world of sports, capturing the excitement, competition, and personal journeys of athletes, coaches, and teams. The stories cover a wide range of sports and activities, each with its own unique characteristics and themes.

Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in Moneyball (2011)

Behind-the-scenes documentary chronicling the Fight of the Century between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

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Harry Belafonte and Isaac Hayes in Nationtime (1972)

William Greaves and Howard Nash in The Deep North (1988)

Still a Brother: Inside the Negro Middle Class (1968)

Still a Brother: Inside the Negro Middle Class

Frederick Douglass: An American Life (1985)

Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in Ali the Fighter (1973)

Ali the Fighter

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