The Trials of Muhammad Ali - Movie Trailer

[limpyhobbler]

Opens August 23 in NYC! Full list of confirmed dates here: http://kartemquin.com/news/official-trailer-trials-of-muhammad-ali

No conventional sports documentary, THE TRIALS OF MUHAMMAD ALI investigates its extraordinary and often complex subject's life outside the boxing ring. From joining the controversial Nation of Islam and changing his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali, to his refusal to serve in the Vietnam War in the name of protesting racial inequality, to his global humanitarian work, Muhammad Ali remains an inspiring and controversial figure. Outspoken and passionate in his beliefs, Ali found himself in the center of America's controversies over race, religion, and war. From Kartemquin Films - makers of such acclaimed documentaries as HOOP DREAMS and THE INTERRUPTERS - and Oscar-nominated director Bill Siegel (THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND), THE TRIALS OF MUHAMMAD ALI examines how one of the most celebrated sports champions of the 20th century risked his fame and fortune to follow his faith and conscience.

[PoliticAverse]

1. A genuinely 'larger than life' individual. n/t

[DreamGypsy]

2. Clay comes out to meet Liston and Liston starts to retreat,

...

If Liston goes back an inch farther he'll end up in a ringside seat.
Clay swings with his left, Clay swings with his right,
Look at young Cassius carry the fight
Liston keeps backing, but there's not enough room,
It's a matter of time till Clay lowers the boom.
Now Clay lands with a right, what a beautiful swing,
And the punch raises the Bear clean out of the ring.
Liston is still rising and the ref wears a frown,
For he can't start counting till Sonny goes down.
Now Liston is disappearing from view, the crowd is going frantic,
But radar stations have picked him up, somewhere over the Atlantic.
Who would have thought when they came to the fight?
That they'd witness the launching of a human satellite.
Yes the crowd did not dream, when they put up the money,
That they would see a total eclipse of the Sonny.

And a more profound statement, later in life:

The man who views the world at 50
the same as he did at 20
has wasted 30 years of his life.

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
My name is Muhammad Ali

[lexington filly]

3. In 1974 I saw Ali outside a shop in New Orleans

and jumped up from our restaurant table, leaving my husband--who had lucked out to be sent to Thailand instead of Viet Nam--to settle the bill while I got an autograph. He was so gracious and talked with everyone as he soon drew a crowd. Had my husband decided not to do ROTC and be drafted, and instead gone to Canada, I'd have respected his beliefs. During the '60's, I deeply admired Ali's courage to stand up for his personal beliefs so vocally and against his position in his religion being totally discounted by almost all of America. He was willing to pay the price and he knew had he been drafted, he'd had been given some safe, cushy job like Elvis. I adored him in and out of the ring. Still do.

[brush]

4. Ali is one of my personal heroes.

And has been for years. He stood up for his convictions while knowing he would give up millions. I can't wait to see this film.