The Greatest (1977 film)

The Greatest
Company type	Motion picture
Industry	Film
Founded	1977
Founder	Tom Gries (director)
Products	Biographical sports film

The Greatest is a 1977 biographical sports motion picture featuring boxer Muhammad Ali portraying himself. Directed by Tom Gries, the film documents Ali's journey from his triumph at the 1960 Summer Olympics through to his 1974 heavyweight championship victory against George Foreman in the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle." Archival footage of significant boxing bouts is seamlessly incorporated throughout the narrative.

Adapted from The Greatest: My Own Story, co-authored by Ali and Richard Durham with editing by Toni Morrison, the movie focuses on crucial episodes in Ali's professional path and personal evolution.

The track "The Greatest Love of All", written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed, was originally created for this production and performed by George Benson. The song later achieved a #1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 when covered by Whitney Houston.

Plot

The storyline follows Cassius Clay’s ascent from winning Olympic gold in 1960, through his embrace of Islam, his conscientious objection to the Vietnam War draft, and his subsequent comeback to boxing as Muhammad Ali.

Cast

Muhammad Ali as Himself
Chip McAllister as Young Cassius Clay / Muhammad Ali
Ernest Borgnine as Angelo Dundee
John Marley as Dr. Ferdie Pacheco
Lloyd Haynes as Jabir Herbert Muhammad
Robert Duvall as Bill McDonald
David Huddleston as Cruikshank
Ben Johnson as Hollis
James Earl Jones as Malcolm X
Dina Merrill as "Velvet" Green
Roger E. Mosley as Sonny Liston
Paul Winfield as Mr. Eskridge
Annazette Chase as Belinda Boyd Ali
Mira Waters as Ruby Sanderson
Drew Bundini Brown as Himself
Malachi Throne as Payton Jory
Richard Venture as Colonel Cedrich
Arthur Adams as Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr.
Stack Pierce as Rahaman
Paul Mantee as Carrara
Skip Homeier as Major Canlan
David Clennon as Captain
Nai Bonet as Suzie Gomez

Several prominent individuals, such as Rahaman Ali, Howard Bingham, Harold Conrad, Don Dunphy, Lloyd Wells, Pat Patterson, and Gene Kilroy, appear portraying themselves.

Certain important parts—including Ruby Sanderson, Belinda Boyd (Ali’s spouse), and Herbert Mohammed (Ali’s former manager)—were not officially credited.

Initially, Lonette McKee was intended to assume the role eventually played by Annazette Chase.

Soundtrack

The entire musical score was composed and produced by Michael Masser, with arrangements by Masser alongside Lee Holdridge.

Production

Funding for the film was provided by EMI Films, a British company.

Reception

Vincent Canby, writing for The New York Times, described the film as "a charming curio of a sort Hollywood doesn't seem to make much anymore." In the Los Angeles Times, critic Kevin Thomas characterized it as "potent pop biography, lively and entertaining," emphasizing the carefully crafted public persona of the heavyweight champion. Awarding 2.5 out of 4 stars, Chicago Tribune reviewer Gene Siskel deemed it "more than satisfactory" entertainment. Variety’s Arthur D. Murphy remarked that Ali’s own participation imparted authenticity that raised the film above standard biopic fare. David Badder of The Monthly Film Bulletin noted that while the movie offers a reverential portrayal highlighting Ali's unique character, it also somewhat sanitizes his story.

External links