Product ReviewsWhen We Were Kings (DVD, 2002)

Don King, Mobutu, James Brown & Bundini - What A Cast!

The Rumble in The Jungle was a historic boxing event that took place on October 30, 1974, in the 20th of May Stadium in Kinshasa, Zaire. It pitted then world Heavyweight champion George Foreman against former world champion and that time challenger Muhammad Ali, who was looking to become the second fighter ever, after Floyd Patterson, to recover the world's Heavyweight crown.

The event was Don King's first venture as a professional boxing promoter. He managed to get both Ali and Foreman to sign separate contracts saying they would fight for him if he could get 5 million dollars to be their prize. However, King didn't have the money. So he began looking for an outside country to sponsor the event, and Zaire's president Mobutu, looking to give both himself and his country a better reputation and to get Zaire into the eyes of the world, asked for the fight to be held there.

Ali was a heavy underdog going into the fight. In 1967 he had been suspended from the sport of boxing for three and a half years following his refusal to obey the draft and enter the Army. Although he fought well when coming back, there was no doubt that he was slower, and that layoff had dulled some of his skills. When he was beaten by Joe Frazier in what was dubbed The Fight of the Century, and later lost to a then-unknown ex-Marine named Ken Norton, many people began to believe that Ali was just another ex-champion who was fighting too long for his own good.

By comparison, Foreman seemed an unstoppable prodigy of strength. He destroyed opponent after opponent, usually in less than three rounds. And the two men who had scored victories over Ali, Frazier and Norton, had both been annhiliated by Foreman. Frazier had been knocked down seven times in a second round knockout, and Norton was knocked silly in a similar loss. With Foreman younger, stronger, and seemingly invincible, George was listed as a 7 or 8 to 1 favorite by most bookies and oddsmakers. There was a genuine fear that Ali would be badly hurt or even killed in the ring, and even good friends and boxing aficionados like Howard Cosell openly predicted that Ali would lose, probably badly.

However, "The Greatest" shocked eveyone again!

This is an awesome documentary about one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.Read full review...

In a time when yes they were Kings

Behind the scenes look at The Rumble In The Jungle. Insight about George Foreman who at the time was thought to be invincible. But he was out witted and at times purely out boxed my Ali who just simply dug down deep inside himself to just amaze us. His Parkinson illness robbed him and us of the dynamic being HE was. He may be gone now but this documentary gives us another look into why he is considered the Greatest by knowledgeable people. Best documentary. Five stars.Read full review...

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Fitting title for the boxing legends of that era

One of the best sports documentaries if not sports films ever made. This was vintage Ali in his prime beating the odds and showing the world what a brilliant man and showman he was. The scene where Foreman dents the heavy bag with Ali watching gave me goosebumps. Old timers tell me this fight ruined Ali because of all power shots he sustained during the fight. His strategy of letting Foreman punch himself out works but hurt him in the long run. This film also gives you a taste of how the African government was run during the early 70's. Not one of the best places in the world to be at that time...Read full review...

Very good documentary that introduces the legend of Ali

Amongst all things that have been done of Muhammed this is the quintessential documentary- great view of the champion if slightly biased. The magic and the true valour of the man make this a must for all fans and a great introduction for any would be fans.

"The Greatest" also illustrates the earlier peroiod of his career and its highly recommended.Read full review...

Very good documentary about Muhammad Ali and the "Rumble in the Jungle."

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Excellent

Excellent!!!

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When we were kings

A unique look at the life of Ali during a turbulent period in US history. It allows the viewer an expanded view into the depth of the man that has become a legend, and whom has always been much more than just the greatest boxer the sport has known.

KPasaDoc1966Read full review...

No complaints

The DVD was as posted and it is great quality. I only wish the cover was more detailed, but thats probably how the distributors manufactured it.
No other complaints
Praise God for Good Business
JKLRead full review...

Not as informed

The documentary itself is stunning! It completes my Ali's trilogy with "Through the eyes of the world" and the movie "Ali" (With Will Smith).
But, if you're planning to buy and use the closed captioning...forget it!
They inform the captioning is availiable but it's NOT TRUE.
I was very disappointed.Read full review...

Great DVD!

Seems to be a nice documentary with some great shots of a great boxer. My dad appreciated it. I would most certainly recommend any fan of the GREATEST to but this!