When We Were Kings
“The untold story of the Rumble in the Jungle.”
1996•PG•1h 29m•7.6•Released
Documentary
It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years younger and the heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece to fight one another, and when they accept, King has only to come up with the money. He finds a willing backer in Mobutu Sese Suko, the dictator of Zaire, and the "Rumble in the Jungle" is set, including a musical festival featuring some of America's top black performers, like James Brown and B.B. King.
Director
Leon Gast
Writer
Leon Gast
Revenue
$3M
Languages
English, French
Studio
David Sonenberg Production
Cast
Muhammad Ali
Self
George Foreman
Self
Don King
Self
James Brown
Self
B.B. King
Self
Spike Lee
Self
Mobutu Sese Seko
Self
Norman Mailer
Self
George Plimpton
Self
Malick Bowens
Self
Lloyd Price
Self
Miriam Makeba
Self
Drew Bundini Brown
Self
Odessa Clay
Self
Howard Cosell
Self
Production
Company
David Sonenberg Production
Company
DAS Films
Producer
Leon Gast
Producer
Taylor Hackford
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