When We Were Kings (1996) ***

A documentary film that has a dramatic intensity and suspense usually found only in fiction movies. It's the story of the famous boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire in 1974, known as "Rumble in the Jungle". On one hand we have the flamboyant, controversial, talkative and agressive Ali; on the other - cool and reserved Foreman. It's clear from the outset that Ali is terrified of his opponent and expresses his nervousness through verbal agression. Polite Foreman never looses his cool. He's considered a 7-1 favorite. But when the big day comes, in the ring, everything changes. Ali lands some heavy punches in the first round and enrages Foreman. In the next rounds, Foreman has Ali on the ropes, but his relentless attacks tire him very quickly. Then, in one of the great moments in boxing, Ali lands the knockout punch. Foreman is down and Muhammad Ali becomes a living legend.