Ali
Movie, 2001, The 2000s, Set in Muhammad Ali, 1964 to 1974
Ali is #17 of 35 in release order and #17 of 35 in chronological order in the Sports Movies.
The story
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.
Ali recap
Ali (2001) covers ten years in the life of Muhammad Ali, from taking the heavyweight title in 1964 to winning it back in Zaire in 1974. Michael Mann directs and co-writes this boxing biopic. Cassius Clay Jr. (Will Smith) taunts Sonny Liston before their title fight, survives a round half-blinded by something on Liston's gloves, and wins when Liston quits. He grows close to Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles), joins the Nation of Islam and takes the name Muhammad Ali, then cuts Malcolm off at Elijah Muhammad's wish. He marries Sonji Roi (Jada Pinkett Smith), but they divorce over the demands his faith places on her. Ali refuses the Vietnam draft and is stripped of his title and licence; during three years out of the ring he marries Belinda Boyd (Nona Gaye) and is cleared by the Supreme Court. He loses the "Fight of the Century" to Joe Frazier. Jon Voight plays the broadcaster Howard Cosell. Ali follows Remember the Titans and precedes Miracle.
Ali ending explained
Ali ends with Ali knocking out George Foreman in the eighth round of the Rumble in the Jungle in Kinshasa and regaining the heavyweight title. In Zaire he begins an affair with Veronica Porche, and Belinda flies in to confront him after reading about it. He leans on the ropes for round after round, letting the younger, stronger Foreman wear himself out, then puts him down. The film skips his later fights and life.
Post-credits scenes
No. Ali has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch Ali
Ali is streaming on Netflix in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.7/10, Rotten Tomatoes 69%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Remember the Titans, before Miracle.
- Chronological order: after Remember the Titans, before Miracle.
Cast
- Will Smith as Muhammad Ali / Cassius Clay
- Jamie Foxx as Drew 'Bundini' Brown
- Jon Voight as Howard Cosell
- Mario Van Peebles as Malcolm X
- Ron Silver as Angelo Dundee
- Jeffrey Wright as Howard Bingham
- Mykelti Williamson as Don King
- Jada Pinkett Smith as Sonji Roi
- Nona Gaye as Belinda Ali
- Michael Michele as Veronica Porche
- Joe Morton as Chauncey Eskridge
- Paul Rodríguez as Dr. Ferdie Pacheco
Directed by Michael Mann.