Selected for the 2001 Royal Film Performance, Will Smith’s Oscar-nominated performance as ‘The Greatest’ chronicles his early years, starting with his first victory against Liston and then through to the events leading up to the 1974 ‘Rumble In The Jungle’ against Joe Frazier.
It’s an atmospheric affair, directed with style and vigour by Michael Mann (COLLATERAL, HEAT, THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS amongst others) and you can get a lot more from the Leon Gast / Taylor Hackford Oscar-winning documentary WHEN WE WERE KINGS in terms of the latter events of the film. Although Smith lacks some elements of Ali, he still manages to convey some of the truth of the legendary fighter at a time when he was still formidable and unbeatable in the ring.