The Greatest
A heavyweight champion's rise is shadowed by the cost of his convictions: refusing the Vietnam draft strips him of his title and sends him to court.
Where to watch online
Official services. The link goes straight to this film.
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About the film
Winner. Loser. Lover. Loudmouth... THE MAN.
What it’s about
Cassius Clay is a young boxer whose manager warns him that great Black fighters often end poor, urging him to secure his future. Clay converts to Islam and takes the name Muhammad Ali. Later, he refuses to serve in the Vietnam War, which complicates his professional career and leads to a legal battle that he wins.
What hooks you
Muhammad Ali plays himself. The screenplay draws on Ali's own book, written with Richard Durham and Herbert Muhammad. Documentary footage is woven into the film, and real figures from Ali's life, including his brother Rahman and boxer Archie Moore, play themselves. The song "The Greatest Love of All" won an ASCAP award in 1990.
Who it’s for
It will appeal to those who enjoy biographical dramas that blend personal conviction with public controversy, and to viewers interested in the intersection of sports, religion, and politics in 20th-century America.
- Countries
- United States, United Kingdom
- Year
- 1977
- Running time
- 1h 42min
- Age rating
- 12+
- MPAA
- PG
- World premiere
- May 19, 1977
Ratings
MOVIE․ONE · 700 votesCreative team
All 10-
01
Muhammad Ali
Cassius Clay / Muhammad Ali
-
02
Ernest Borgnine
Angelo Dundee
-
03
John Marley
Dr. Ferdie Pacheco
-
04
Lloyd Haynes
Herbert Muhammad
-
05
Malachi Throne
Payton Jory
-
06
Lucille Benson
Mrs. Fairlie
-
07
Teddy Wilson
John the Gardener (credited as: Theodore R. Wilson) · Joe The Gardener
-
08
Annazette Chase
Belinda Ali
Trivia
- The film's screenplay is based on the book by Muhammad Ali, Richard Durham, and Herbert Muhammad, «The Greatest: My Own Story».
- The film used documentary footage, and many characters, including Muhammad Ali himself and his brother Rahaman, world boxing champion Archie Moore, and many members of Ali's team, played themselves.
- In 1990, the song The Greatest Love of All, recorded by George Benson for this film, received an award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers as the most frequently performed theme from a film.
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The Greatest (1977)
The Greatest
1977
The Greatest
1977
The Greatest
1977