A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

Muhammad Ali - Through the Eyes Of The World

Movie: A

Sound: A

Picture: A

Reviewed By: David

Universal Studios presents "Muhammad Ali: Through The Eyes Of The World"

Fighter. Rebel. Hero. Legend.

"Muhammad Ali: Through The Eyes Of The World" presents an unparalleled, celebrity-filled tribute to one of the most extraordinary personalities ever to capture the public's imagination! Discover the powerfully moving story of how Ali's fight for glory in the ring transformed him into an international hero whose achievements resonate with millions all around the world.

When the man we know now as Muhammad Ali was born, he was given the name Cassius Clay by his working class parents in Louisville, Kentucky. This documentary shows Clay winning an Olympic gold medal in 1960 and going on to win the heavyweight crown in 1964 at the age of 22. I was really struck by how good looking and charismatic Clay really was as he shouted out the verse and claimed that he could "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

But in the documentary it shows that Clay had no sooner become the heavyweight champ than he became embroiled in the turbulent politics of his time. In 1964 he declared he considered Cassius Clay to be a slave name and that henceforth he would be known as Muhammad Ali. He further announced that he was a member of the Nation of Islam and a follower of Elijah Muhammed and in the documentary, journalist Stanley Crouch states, "He had embraced a racist cause, He had embraced a gaggle of lunatics ". I found that this footage shown during this part of the documentary was very very fascinating.

Muhammad Ali defeated all challengers in the ring for the next couple of years, but in 1966 he spoke out against U.S. involvement in the war in Vietnam and he became pretty unpopular for a while there. In 1967 he was convicted of a felony for refusing induction into the armed services on religious grounds although his conviction was eventually overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Muhammad Ali was banned from organized boxing for about three years during the prime time of his life while his legal issues were being resolved.

Those who reflect on Ali in this film do so with an understandable reverence especially when remembering this critical time in the champ’s life. Very rarely had principle come at such a cost but Ali never wavered on what he believed was right.

And as one reporter put it, you would have been a fool to bet that Ali would ever box again much less regain his title or eventually be named by Sports Illustrated as the Athlete of the Century. But Muhammad Ali would not have been Muhammad Ali if he hadn’t done all three of those things and in fact he regained his title not just one time, but two times.

All of this and more are covered in this DVD title. This is a terrific documentary film that will serve as a perfect reminder to anyone not just to the boxing fan why Ali was called The Greatest or for the rare person who may not know about the champ, this is a very good place to start to learn about the champ.

And now in the twilight of his remarkable life and battling a debilitating disease the champ moves a little bit slower and speaks a little more softly. The more tremors we see reminds us that he is just a man after all and he once walked the earth like a huge giant. Yet even now he will look toward the camera with a big smile and with that same spark in his eye, put up his fist's and look like he is ready to fight you for a round or so.

"Muhammad Ali - Through The Eyes of The World" contains rare footage capturing both Ali's personal life and glimpses into his boxing triumphs:

-Ali at home with his family and friends
-Ali at dinner with 3rd wife veronica and their daughters - Hana and Laila
-Ali's First ever television appearance on local TV station special
"Tomorrows Champions"
-Interviews with Ali's entourage
-Exclusive interviews with Muhammad Ali and filmmaker - and friend Jerry Izenberg
-Interviews with Ali's childhood friends from Louisville
-Interviews with daughter Hana and ex-wife Veronica
-Interviews with tow of Ali's Closest friends today: John Ramsay and John Jay Hooker
-Interviews with "the man in the street" around the world from mountain top villages in the Andes to busy cities in Africa.
-An incredible stills gallery
-Ali Fights

Do I recommend this film? You bet I do and you can click here to purchase it in our store. You can't go wrong on this DVD!

Edition Details:

• Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
• Color, Black & White, Closed-captioned