Ali (2001)

Ali (2001) is a ten-year biographical drama that follows Muhammad Ali from his explosive arrival on the scene as Cassius Clay in 1964 through his exile from boxing and triumphant return in 1974. The film traces three braided threads—his evolution as a boxer, his conversion to Islam and political convictions, and his personal and family life—showing how sport, faith and politics collide to shape his public legend. Watching the movie, you’ll experience both intimate character moments and large-scale spectacle: brash, charismatic performances (notably Will Smith as Ali) bring the man’s confidence, wit and vulnerability to life; close-up, kinetic boxing sequences deliver visceral, edge-of-your-seat action; and courtroom and political scenes probe the serious moral stakes of Ali’s refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War. Period detail and Michael Mann’s stylized direction create a gritty, immersive 1960s–70s atmosphere that alternates between charged public events and quieter private struggles. The narrative culminates in Ali’s epic comeback and the “Rumble in the Jungle,” a sporting set piece that doubles as cultural and personal catharsis. Viewers leave with a rounded portrait: the triumphs and controversies, the cost of conscience, and the complex charisma that made Muhammad Ali an icon—not only of sport, but of American social and political life.

Actors: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight

Director: Michael Mann

Runtime: 157 min

Genres: Biography, Drama, Sport

6.4 /10 65 /100 6.7 /10 6.5 /10