{"id":88034,"date":"2022-10-13T22:59:49","date_gmt":"2022-10-14T05:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=88034"},"modified":"2022-10-13T22:59:49","modified_gmt":"2022-10-14T05:59:49","slug":"greatest-the-1977","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=88034","title":{"rendered":"Greatest, The (1977)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I&#8217;m known as Muhammad Ali; Cassius Clay is dead.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Poster-206x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"206\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-88035\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Poster-206x300.png 206w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Poster-88x128.png 88w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Poster-186x270.png 186w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Poster.png 647w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 206px) 100vw, 206px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nMuhammad Ali (playing himself) reflects back on his life as a young man (Chip McAllister) and a rising boxing star, as he converts to Islam, refuses to be drafted into the Vietnam War, and receives support from his manager (Lloyd Haynes), trainer (Ernest Borgnine), and physician (John Marley).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>African-Americans<\/li>\n<li>Biopic<\/li>\n<li>Boxing<\/li>\n<li>Ernest Borgnine Films<\/li>\n<li>Robert Duvall Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nMuhammad Ali starred as himself in this adaptation of his <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Greatest:_My_Own_Story\">1975 autobiography of the same name<\/a> (which was purportedly <em>heavily<\/em> influenced by his manager, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jabir_Herbert_Muhammad\">Herbert Muhammad<\/a>). Indeed, it presents a highly sanitized version of Ali&#8217;s life, sugarcoating and distilling key motivational moments, and conveniently skipping a whole lot. Then again, that&#8217;s par-for-the-course with a biopic &#8212; especially one with such heavy involvement from the person being covered. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Ali2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Ali2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1021\" height=\"552\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88048\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Ali2.png 1021w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Ali2-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Ali2-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Ali2-768x415.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Ali2-499x270.png 499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m aware this film may have played differently upon its release, when Americans were likely keenly interested in getting to learn more about one of their beloved sports idols; these days, the storyline simply feels self-laudatory, as Ali easily snatches up a bodaciously beautiful girlfriend (Mira Waters): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/vlcsnap-2022-10-13-22h24m48s761.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/vlcsnap-2022-10-13-22h24m48s761.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1021\" height=\"552\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/vlcsnap-2022-10-13-22h24m48s761.png 1021w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/vlcsnap-2022-10-13-22h24m48s761-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/vlcsnap-2022-10-13-22h24m48s761-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/vlcsnap-2022-10-13-22h24m48s761-768x415.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/vlcsnap-2022-10-13-22h24m48s761-499x270.png 499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and then shows off his newfound piety by pursuing a primly dressed bakery worker (Annazette Chase) who he chooses to become his wife. (On a side note, I was interested to learn about the history and relevance of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bean_pie\">&#8220;bean pie&#8221;<\/a> in Muslim Black culture.) <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Bean-Pie.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Bean-Pie.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1021\" height=\"552\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88044\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Bean-Pie.png 1021w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Bean-Pie-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Bean-Pie-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Bean-Pie-768x415.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Bean-Pie-499x270.png 499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The most exciting moments in the film by far are the (real life) fight sequences, which are expertly woven into the dramatized storyline. Meanwhile, the cast is an interesting one, with Borgnine and Marley in key supporting roles as right-hand men for Ali: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Marley-Borgnine.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Marley-Borgnine.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1021\" height=\"552\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88045\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Marley-Borgnine.png 1021w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Marley-Borgnine-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Marley-Borgnine-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Marley-Borgnine-768x415.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Marley-Borgnine-499x270.png 499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and cameos by other well-known actors, including Robert Duvall as fight promoter Bill McDonald: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-McDonald.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-McDonald.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1021\" height=\"552\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88040\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-McDonald.png 1021w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-McDonald-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-McDonald-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-McDonald-768x415.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-McDonald-499x270.png 499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; Dina Merrill as a nastily racist spectator: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Merrill.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Merrill.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1021\" height=\"552\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88041\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Merrill.png 1021w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Merrill-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Merrill-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Merrill-768x415.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Merrill-499x270.png 499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and James Earl Jones as Malcolm X. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Jones.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Jones.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1021\" height=\"552\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88042\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Jones.png 1021w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Jones-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Jones-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Jones-768x415.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Jones-499x270.png 499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Effective integration of real-life fighting footage into the dramatic narrative<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Fighting.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Fighting.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1021\" height=\"552\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88037\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Fighting.png 1021w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Fighting-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Fighting-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Fighting-768x415.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Greatest-Fighting-499x270.png 499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, unless you&#8217;re an Ali fan. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0076111\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1977\/05\/21\/archives\/alis-latest-victory-is-the-greatest.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m known as Muhammad Ali; Cassius Clay is dead.&#8221; Synopsis: Muhammad Ali (playing himself) reflects back on his life as a young man (Chip McAllister) and a rising boxing star, as he converts to Islam, refuses to be drafted into the Vietnam War, and receives support from his manager (Lloyd Haynes), trainer (Ernest Borgnine), and physician (John Marley). Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: African-Americans Biopic Boxing Ernest Borgnine Films Robert Duvall Films Review: Muhammad Ali starred as himself in this&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=88034\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-88034","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88034","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=88034"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88034\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88051,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88034\/revisions\/88051"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=88034"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=88034"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=88034"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}