When We Were Kings

When We Were Kings

89 mins | Documentary, History, Music, TV Movie | Oct. 25, 1996

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.

When We Were Kings

89 mins | Documentary, History, Music, TV Movie | Oct. 25, 1996

When We Were Kings
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.
IMDb rating 7.9
Producers Gramercy Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, David Sonenberg Production, DAS Films
Original title When We Were Kings
Directors Leon Gast
Writers Leon Gast

Cast

Muhammad Ali

as Self

George Foreman

as Self

Don King

as Self

James Brown

as Self

B.B. King

as Self

Spike Lee

as Self

Norman Mailer

as Self

George Plimpton

as Self

Malick Bowens

as Self

Lloyd Price

as Self

Miriam Makeba

as Self

Odessa Clay

as Self

Howard Cosell

as Self

Wilton Felder

as Self

Wayne Henderson

as Self

Stix Hooper

as Self

Stewart Levin

as Self

Alan Pariser

as Self

Dick Sadler

as Self

Joe Sample

as Self

Philippé Wynne

as Self

Archie Moore

as Self

Lola Love

as Self

Sonny Liston

as Self (archive footage)

Jersey Joe Walcott

as Self (archive footage)

Joe Frazier

as Self (archive footage)