Muhammad Ali: The Greatest 1964-1974
Director: William Klein
Year Released: 1974
Rating: 3.0
Ali proves to be an appropriate subject for Klein: the filmmaker's freeform style compliments the boxer's borderline-autistic impromptu poetry and delightful hyperactivity perfectly. While the title suggests the documentary covers a decade of Ali's life, it doesn't - it goes from '64 to '74, from Ali versus Liston to Ali versus Foreman in Zaire (as an added bonus, there's plenty of footage of President Mobutu), choosing to excise the middle years where he refused to fight in Vietnam and struggled in the ring (the intent is to show him at his peak moments - hence the superlative in the title). Klein's impressive handling of the medium (he skillfully juxtaposes his footage of the boxer with scenes from an acting class in Harlem and with some tribal fighting) and the chance to witness Ali's handling of the media - and self-promotion - make this especially worth seeking out. Those expecting extensive footage of the fights themselves will be disappointed - that is not this picture's intent.
