Ali: An American Hero

Last updated
Ali: An American Hero
GenreBiography
Drama
Sport
Written by Jamal Joseph
Directed by Leon Ichaso
Starring David Ramsey
Clarence Williams III
Joe Morton
Vondie Curtis-Hall
Martin Ferrero
Antonio Fargas
Khalil Kain
Earl Boen
Aaron Meeks
Music by Harald Kloser
Thomas Wanker
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producer Thomas Carter
ProducersRichard M. Rothstein
Ian Sander
Production location Los Angeles
Cinematography Claudio Chea
Editor Michael Schweitzer
Running time120 minutes
Production companies Fox Television Studios
Thomas Carter Company
Original release
Network Fox
ReleaseAugust 31, 2000 (2000-08-31)

Ali: An American Hero is an American television film which aired on August 31, 2000, on Fox. It chronicles portions of the career of heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali, who is portrayed by David Ramsey. [1]

Contents

Plot summary

Cassius Clay (David Ramsey), winner of the gold medal for boxing in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics, rises in the professional ranks and defeats heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston in a stunning upset to capture the title in 1964. Controversy surrounds his decision to join the Nation of Islam, his name change from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali, his friendship with Malcolm X (Joe Morton), and his conscientious objection to the draft during the Vietnam War. Stripped of his title, he eventually recaptures it in 1974 in the so-called "Rumble in the Jungle"—an epic bout against George Foreman in Zaire.

Cast and crew

DVD

Ali: An American Hero was released on DVD on January 27, 2004.

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References

  1. Rebecca Flint Marx. "Ali: An American Hero (2000)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Archived from the original on 2013-01-30.