Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thrilling boxing docu covers race, politics; some profanity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
When We Were Kings
What's the Story?
It's 1974. Muhammad Ali wants to regain the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion title in WHEN WE WERE KINGS. He's 32 years old -- still exuberant, talented, and once again bound for glory, after having been stripped of his early title when, in 1966, he refused to be inducted into the U.S. Armed Forces. The defending champion is George Foreman, 10 years younger and a mountain of a fighter -- strong and undefeated as a professional (40-0). When promoter Don King, looking for stardom himself, sets up an unlikely title bout in an unlikely setting, Zaire (formerly the Congo), with each fighter guaranteed $5 million, it promises to be the boxing event of the 20th century. It was, and decades later it has retained its once-in-a-lifetime status as the "Rumble in the Jungle." Director Leon Gast and his team follow the prep and training, the surrounding media frenzy, and the bout itself, while skillfully integrating historical footage/commentary, extensive on-camera interviews with boxing power-fans (i.e., Norman Mailer, George Plimpton, and Spike Lee), and footage from the concerts held in Zaire in tandem with the event (including music by African-American greats James Brown and B.B. King).
Is It Any Good?
This beautifully realized documentary integrates sports, racial politics, African-American musical performances, celebrity testimony, and the singular iconic personality of Muhammad Ali. Driven by his profound commitment to black pride and pursuing the values of his Muslim faith, Ali sees his comeback fight against the reigning world champion boxer George Foreman as a defining moment for all people of color. He fills the screen with his talent, his quick mind, and his larger-then-life magnetism. When We Were Kings took more than 20 years to reach theatrical screens due to legal disputes, but when it was finally released in 1996, it was universally acclaimed, winning many major awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Interestingly, director Leon Gast has stated that, had the film been released in a timely manner (mid-1970s), the emphasis almost certainly would have been different, and the 20-plus-year interval allowed for the perspective of Ali's growing influence and popularity. Entertaining, informative, and endlessly creative, this film is not just for boxing fans. A few uses of the "N" word and a brief glimpse of female breasts, along with extensive hard-hitting boxing sequences, make it best for teens and up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the fact that When We Were Kings, like Muhammad Ali himself, is about more than the sport of boxing. How did the filmmakers use music, historical footage, and interviews to broaden the scope of the story they were telling?
Muhammad Ali has been described as the first African-American "hip-hop" or "rap" artist. He's also considered a poet (also an early "trash talker"). What evidence is there in this movie to back up those notions?
Do you know that Ali helped negotiate the release of hostages in Iraq in 1990? That he was a UN Messenger of Peace? That he lit the torch at the 1996 Olympic Games? That he worked hard to raise awareness of and funds for Parkinson's disease? Was named Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated magazine? Where would you go to find out more about Muhammad Ali?
How does Muhammad Ali demonstrate courage, integrity, and perseverance in When We Were Kings? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 14, 1997
- On DVD or streaming : August 14, 1999
- Cast : Muhammad Ali , George Foreman
- Director : Leon Gast
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 84 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, brief nudity and some language
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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