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When We Were Kings

Play trailer Poster for When We Were Kings PG 1997 1h 27m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
On October 30, 1974, perhaps the most famous heavyweight championship boxing match of all time took place in Kinshasa, Zaire: the "Rumble in the Jungle" between champion George Foreman and challenger Muhammad Ali. In historical footage and new interviews, this documentary explores the relationship between African-Americans and the African continent during the Black Power era in terms of both popular culture and international politics, including the brutality of then-dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.
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When We Were Kings

When We Were Kings

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Critics Consensus

An engrossing documentary that's as much about a time and a place as it is about a fight.

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Critics Reviews

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Reece Pendleton Chicago Reader Jun 15, 2022
3/4
Gast does a nice job of building the suspense leading up to the fight, fleshing out the story with some good color commentary... Go to Full Review David Ansen Newsweek Mar 2, 2018
Both a tribute to Ali and an evocation of a bygone era, it's about the transformative moment when black America, flexing its newborn pride, encountered black Africa. Go to Full Review Richard Corliss TIME Magazine Aug 4, 2008
If anyone deserves an award, it is Ali; his charisma makes the film. Go to Full Review Graeme Tuckett The Post NZ Dec 29, 2021
When We Were Kings as not just one of the greatest sports documentaries of all time, but also one of the greatest concert movies. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Oct 27, 2019
3.5/4
At the time, it was a given that Foreman was going to slaughter Ali in the ring; the beauty of this movie is that it shows in amazing detail the process through which Ali stepped up to the challenge and succeeded against all expectations. Go to Full Review Renee Schonfeld Common Sense Media Jun 28, 2016
5/5
Thrilling boxing docu covers race, politics; some profanity. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Gareth V @geewah Oct 15, 2026 A joyous, thrilling, endlessly rewatchable piece of filmmaking. It’s got one of the great sporting events, one of the great personalities and a soundtrack to match. A must watch doco. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 7, 2025 Real footage in 1 hour, 27 minutes, and 15 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $2,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In memory of George Foreman and Muhammad Ali!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more douglas g @RT70116451 Mar 23, 2025 Muhammad Ali is highly overrated… this documentary isnt! It’s amazing! The music is awesome too! See more Dallas H @RT53171010 Dec 21, 2024 This movie is the kind of sports coverage we take for granted today. It took the filmmakers about twenty years to gather the footage to make the documentary. These days, we have so many video cameras constantly recording content and the convenience of the internet and media distribution. With all that accessible content today, somebody could produce a sports documentary in a few months. See more May 13, 2024 This is a perfect documentary film. A brilliant masterpiece. As a fan of Muhammad Ali, this film was a pleasure to watch over and over and over again. You don’t have to be a fan of Ali, Foreman or boxing to thoroughly enjoy this story of triumph. A true ‘David vs. Goliath’ story that takes place in Africa. The scenes with James Brown & Miles Davis were also beautiful to see. A must see. See more Chief B @RT53266745 May 16, 2023 Beautiful!! RIP Muhammad Ali the real life superhero See more Read all reviews
When We Were Kings

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Cast & Crew

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Leon Gast

Director

Muhammad Ali

Actor

George Foreman

Actor

Don King

Actor

B.B. King

Actor

Mobutu Sese Seko

Actor

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When We Were Kings

When We Were Kings (1996) When We Were Kings (1996) When We Were Kings (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis On October 30, 1974, perhaps the most famous heavyweight championship boxing match of all time took place in Kinshasa, Zaire: the "Rumble in the Jungle" between champion George Foreman and challenger Muhammad Ali. In historical footage and new interviews, this documentary explores the relationship between African-Americans and the African continent during the Black Power era in terms of both popular culture and international politics, including the brutality of then-dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.
Director
Leon Gast
Distributor
Gramercy Pictures, Polygram, Image Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
PG
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 14, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 14, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.7M
Runtime
1h 27m
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