
When We Were Kings
dir. Leon Gast
84
7 sourcesSynopsis
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.
Critics consensus
An engrossing documentary that's as much about a time and a place as it is about a fight.

Directed byLeon Gast
StarringMuhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown, B.B. King, Spike Lee
Written byLeon Gast
CinematographyPaul Goldsmith
EditingTaylor Hackford
When We Were Kings
1996 · PG · 1h 29m
Documentary
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.
Our Verdict
84
Critics Consensus
An engrossing documentary that's as much about a time and a place as it is about a fight.
Individual Scores
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