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Drama

Ali

- Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

In 1964, a brash, new pro boxer, fresh from his Olympic gold medal victory, explodes onto the scene: Cassius Clay. Bold and outspoken, he cuts an entirely new image for African Americans in sport with his proud public self-confidence and his unapologetic belief that he is the greatest boxer of all time. Yet at the top of his game, both Ali's personal and professional lives face the ultimate test.

Release Date : 2001-12-10

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Columbia PicturesInitial Entertainment GroupForward PassOverbrook EntertainmentPeters EntertainmentLee Caplin / Picture Entertainment

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Will Smith

Character Name : Muhammad Ali / Cassius Clay

Original Name : Will Smith

Gender : Male

Jamie Foxx

Character Name : Drew 'Bundini' Brown

Original Name : Jamie Foxx

Gender : Male

Jon Voight

Character Name : Howard Cosell

Original Name : Jon Voight

Gender : Male

Mario Van Peebles

Character Name : Malcolm X

Original Name : Mario Van Peebles

Gender : Male

Ron Silver

Character Name : Angelo Dundee

Original Name : Ron Silver

Gender : Male

Jeffrey Wright

Character Name : Howard Bingham

Original Name : Jeffrey Wright

Gender : Male

Mykelti Williamson

Character Name : Don King

Original Name : Mykelti Williamson

Gender : Male

Jada Pinkett Smith

Character Name : Sonji Roi

Original Name : Jada Pinkett Smith

Gender : Female

Nona Gaye

Character Name : Belinda Ali

Original Name : Nona Gaye

Gender : Female

Michael Michele

Character Name : Veronica Porche

Original Name : Michael Michele

Gender : Female

Joe Morton

Character Name : Chauncey Eskridge

Original Name : Joe Morton

Gender : Male

Paul Rodríguez

Character Name : Dr. Ferdie Pacheco

Original Name : Paul Rodríguez

Gender : Male

Bruce McGill

Character Name : Bradley

Original Name : Bruce McGill

Gender : Male

Barry Shabaka Henley

Character Name : Herbert Muhammad

Original Name : Barry Shabaka Henley

Gender : Male

Giancarlo Esposito

Character Name : Cassius Clay, Sr.

Original Name : Giancarlo Esposito

Gender : Male

Laurence Mason

Character Name : Luis Sarria

Original Name : Laurence Mason

Gender : Male

LeVar Burton

Character Name : Martin Luther King, Jr.

Original Name : LeVar Burton

Gender : Male

Albert Hall

Character Name : Elijah Muhammad

Original Name : Albert Hall

Gender : Male

David Cubitt

Character Name : Robert Lipsyte

Original Name : David Cubitt

Gender : Male

Ted Levine

Character Name : Joe Smiley

Original Name : Ted Levine

Gender : Male

Candy Ann Brown

Character Name : Odessa

Original Name : Candy Ann Brown

Gender : Female

David Elliott

Character Name : Sam Cooke

Original Name : David Elliott

Gender : Male

Shari Watson

Character Name : Woman Singer

Original Name : Shari Watson

Gender : Female

Malick Bowens

Character Name : Joseph Mobutu

Original Name : Malick Bowens

Gender : Male

Michael Bentt

Character Name : Sonny Liston

Original Name : Michael Bentt

Gender : Male

James Toney

Character Name : 'Smokin' Joe Frazier

Original Name : James Toney

Gender : Male

Alfred Cole

Character Name : Ernie Terrell

Original Name : Alfred Cole

Gender : Male

Charles Shufford

Character Name : George Foreman

Original Name : Charles Shufford

Gender : Male

Rufus Dorsey

Character Name : Floyd Paterson

Original Name : Rufus Dorsey

Gender : Male

Robert Sale

Character Name : Jerry Quarry

Original Name : Robert Sale

Gender : Male

Vince Cooke

Character Name : Jimmy Ellis

Original Name : Vince Cooke

Gender : Male

Damien 'Bolo' Wills

Character Name : Ken Norton

Original Name : Damien 'Bolo' Wills

Gender : Male

David Haines

Character Name : Rudy Clay / Rahaman Ali

Original Name : David Haines

Gender : Male

Victoria Dillard

Character Name : Betty Shabazz

Original Name : Victoria Dillard

Gender : Female

Brad Greenquist

Character Name : Marlin Thomas

Original Name : Brad Greenquist

Gender : Male

Morgana Van Peebles

Character Name : Malcolm X's Daughter

Original Name : Morgana Van Peebles

Gender : Female

Maya Van Peebles

Character Name : Malcolm X's Daughter

Original Name : Maya Van Peebles

Gender : Female

Maestro Harrell

Character Name : Young Cassius Clay

Original Name : Maestro Harrell

Gender : Male

William Utay

Character Name : The Doctor

Original Name : William Utay

Gender : Male

Kim Robillard

Character Name : Jimmy Cannon

Original Name : Kim Robillard

Gender : Male

David Purdham

Character Name : Madison Square Garden Announcer

Original Name : David Purdham

Gender : Male

Gailard Sartain

Character Name : Gordon Davidson

Original Name : Gailard Sartain

Gender : Male

Wade Williams

Character Name : Lieutenant Jerome Claridge

Original Name : Wade Williams

Gender : Male

Guy Van Swearingen

Character Name : Induction FBI Man

Original Name : Guy Van Swearingen

Gender : Male

Doug Hale

Character Name : Judge Ingraham

Original Name : Doug Hale

Gender : Male

LaDonna Tittle

Character Name : Bundini's Landlady

Original Name : LaDonna Tittle

Gender : Female

Marc Grapey

Character Name : Bob Arum

Original Name : Marc Grapey

Gender : Male

Herb Mitchell

Character Name : Boxing Commissioner

Original Name : Herb Mitchell

Gender : Male

Eddie Bo Smith Jr.

Character Name : Malcolm's Bodyguard

Original Name : Eddie Bo Smith Jr.

Gender : Male

Bobby Stuart

Character Name : Thomas 15X Johnson

Original Name : Bobby Stuart

Gender : Male

Patrick New

Character Name : Room Service Guy

Original Name : Patrick New

Gender : Male

Ron O.J. Parson

Character Name : Death Newsman

Original Name : Ron O.J. Parson

Gender : Male

Ellis Williams

Character Name : Family Photo Man

Original Name : Ellis Williams

Gender : Male

Alexandra Bokyun Chun

Character Name : Asian Cosmetologist

Original Name : Alexandra Bokyun Chun

Gender : Female

John Gleeson Connolly

Character Name : Assistant Director

Original Name : John Gleeson Connolly

Gender : Male

Warner Saunders

Character Name : Customer

Original Name : Warner Saunders

Gender : Male

Jack Reiss

Character Name : Referee Arthur Mercante

Original Name : Jack Reiss

Gender : Male

Marty Denkin

Character Name : Frazier Fight II Announcer

Original Name : Marty Denkin

Gender : Male

Tamara Lynch

Character Name : Flight Attendant

Original Name : Tamara Lynch

Gender : Male

Chico Benymon

Character Name : Hampton House Announcer

Original Name : Chico Benymon

Gender : Male

Bill Plaschke

Character Name : Miami Weigh-In Reporter

Original Name : Bill Plaschke

Gender : Male

Steve Springer

Character Name : Miami Weigh-In Reporter

Original Name : Steve Springer

Gender : Male

Patrick M. Connolly

Character Name : Announcer

Original Name : Patrick M. Connolly

Gender : Male

Patrick C. Russell

Character Name : Referee

Original Name : Patrick C. Russell

Gender : Male

Robert Byrd

Character Name : Willie Reddick

Original Name : Robert Byrd

Gender : Male

Cedric Wills

Character Name : Jersey Joe Walcott, Referee

Original Name : Cedric Wills

Gender : Male

Ronald A. DiNicola

Character Name : Prosecutor

Original Name : Ronald A. DiNicola

Gender : Male

Moses Hollins

Character Name : Man on Train

Original Name : Moses Hollins

Gender : Male

Daniel E. Gurevitz

Character Name : Boxing Commission Reporter

Original Name : Daniel E. Gurevitz

Gender : Male

Steven Randazzo

Character Name : Reporter

Original Name : Steven Randazzo

Gender : Male

Ray Bokhour

Character Name : Reporter

Original Name : Ray Bokhour

Gender : Male

Leonard Termo

Character Name : Madison Square Garden Reporter

Original Name : Leonard Termo

Gender : Male

Johnny Ortiz

Character Name : Madison Square Garden Reporter

Original Name : Johnny Ortiz

Gender : Male

Mark Salem

Character Name : New York Reporter

Original Name : Mark Salem

Gender : Male

Sheldon Fogel

Character Name : New York Reporter

Original Name : Sheldon Fogel

Gender : Male

Jim Gray

Character Name : New York Reporter

Original Name : Jim Gray

Gender : Male

Melvin Thomas

Character Name : Harlem Neighbor

Original Name : Melvin Thomas

Gender : Male

Natalie Carter

Character Name : Harlem Neighbor

Original Name : Natalie Carter

Gender : Female

Reginald Footman

Character Name : Harlem Neighbor

Original Name : Reginald Footman

Gender : Male

Poe Poe

Character Name : Harlem Reporter

Original Name : Poe Poe

Gender : Male

Mel Dick

Character Name : Louisville Sponsoring Group

Original Name : Mel Dick

Gender : Male

Kim Taylor-Coleman

Character Name : Lana Shabazz

Original Name : Kim Taylor-Coleman

Gender : Female

Christian Stolte

Character Name : Miami Cop

Original Name : Christian Stolte

Gender : Male

Vic Manni

Character Name : Dressing Room Weigh-In Guy

Original Name : Vic Manni

Gender : Male

Will Gill Jr.

Character Name : Dick Sadler

Original Name : Will Gill Jr.

Gender : Male

Sylvaine Strike

Character Name : ORTF Interviewer

Original Name : Sylvaine Strike

Gender : Female

Denis Luposo

Character Name : Kinshasa Reporter

Original Name : Denis Luposo

Gender : Male

Sharon Wilkinson

Character Name : Rose Jennings

Original Name : Sharon Wilkinson

Gender : Male

Carol Hatchett

Character Name : Pointer Sister

Original Name : Carol Hatchett

Gender : Male

Judith Mwale

Character Name : Pointer Sister

Original Name : Judith Mwale

Gender : Male

Keabetswe Motsilanyane

Character Name : Pointer Sister

Original Name : Keabetswe Motsilanyane

Gender : Male

Richard Katanga

Character Name : Mobutu Aide / Military Aide

Original Name : Richard Katanga

Gender : Male

Thomas Kariuki Matheri

Character Name : Lieutenant Nsakala

Original Name : Thomas Kariuki Matheri

Gender : Male

Larry Hazzard Sr.

Character Name : Zack Clayton

Original Name : Larry Hazzard Sr.

Gender : Male

Derrick Brown

Character Name : Larry Holmes

Original Name : Derrick Brown

Gender : Male

Rommel Hyacinth

Character Name : The Pilot

Original Name : Rommel Hyacinth

Gender : Male

Graham Hopkins

Character Name : London Banker

Original Name : Graham Hopkins

Gender : Male

Daniel Janks

Character Name : CIA Man

Original Name : Daniel Janks

Gender : Male

Bradford E. Lang

Character Name : Black Pilot

Original Name : Bradford E. Lang

Gender : Male

Michael Dorn

Character Name : Black Pilot

Original Name : Michael Dorn

Gender : Male

Dan Robbertse

Character Name : Reporter in Zaire

Original Name : Dan Robbertse

Gender : Male

Graham Clarke

Character Name : Reporter in Zaire

Original Name : Graham Clarke

Gender : Male

Dimitri Cassar

Character Name : Reporter in Zaire

Original Name : Dimitri Cassar

Gender : Male

Frank Notaro

Character Name : Reporter in Zaire

Original Name : Frank Notaro

Gender : Male

Mark Mulder

Character Name : Reporter in Zaire

Original Name : Mark Mulder

Gender : Male

David W. Hess

Character Name : Reporter in Zaire

Original Name : David W. Hess

Gender : Male

Henrikennyo Mukenyi

Character Name : Bula

Original Name : Henrikennyo Mukenyi

Gender : Male

Nathaniel Malekane

Character Name : Archie Moore

Original Name : Nathaniel Malekane

Gender : Male

Millard Arnold

Character Name : Doc Broadus

Original Name : Millard Arnold

Gender : Male

Edda Collier

Character Name : Blonde French Reporter

Original Name : Edda Collier

Gender : Male

Yi Lu Wei

Character Name : Chinese Delegate

Original Name : Lu Wei

Gender : Male

Lee Cummings

Character Name : Hunter Thompson

Original Name : Lee Cummings

Gender : Male

Zaa Nkweta

Character Name : Foreman Fight Announcer

Original Name : Zaa Nkweta

Gender : Male

Themba Gasa

Character Name : Idi Amin

Original Name : Themba Gasa

Gender : Male

Andrew P. Jones

Character Name : Don King's Aide

Original Name : Andrew P. Jones

Gender : Male

Marc Kulazite Mboli

Character Name : Additional Aide to Mobutu

Original Name : Marc Kulazite Mboli

Gender : Male

Cimanga Kalambay

Character Name : Additional Aide to Mobutu

Original Name : Cimanga Kalambay

Gender : Male

Jean Bikoi

Character Name : Additional Aide to Mobutu

Original Name : Jean Bikoi

Gender : Male

James Gilbert

Character Name : Sparring Partner in Africa

Original Name : James Gilbert

Gender : Male

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2024-02-01

There are flashes of the legendary Muhammad Ali wit and quick-thinking delivery peppered throughout this otherwise rather long and ponderous story of the life of Cassius Clay from relative poverty through to his mastery of not just the boxing ring but of the television media that, at that point, fed successfully from this truly global sport. It's Will Smith who takes centre stage after his gold medal victory at the Tokyo Olympiad in 1964 and like many other pugilists in history, his character offers the down-trodden, working class, an inspiration. With sweat, tears and hard work he can escape the ghetto and have his fame and fortune, so why not them? What Michael Mann now proceeds to do is offer us a biopic of this man - of his peccadilloes, his religious beliefs, his persecution by the government when he refuses to be drafted to Vietnam and of some of his friendships with the great and the good of the equal rights movement that were gaining in prominence and effectiveness under the likes of Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles). We are presented with a plausibly flawed individual, but one who is a proud and savvy man who knows just how to push the buttons to keeps his life-blood's publicity machine going. To that end, here, Smith is well supported by Jamie Foxx's "Bundini", the long-suffering Angelo Dundee (Ron Silver) and by Jon Voight as his follicularly challenged media foil from ABC television - Howard Cosell. It's Smith that rather underwhelms. He delivers the set-pieces well enough, presumably he could rehearse them - but the rest of his persona is all rather weak, undercooked and I felt really over-written. There's way too much melodrama and speculation and not enough of what made the man an household name (and favourite) in the first place - his fighting. For such a rich source this is all rather meandering and lacking in substance. Maybe we could have directors cut - only 45 minutes shorter?