Gast does a nice job of building the suspense leading up to the fight, fleshing out the story with some good color commentary...

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 15, 2022

When We Were Kings as not just one of the greatest sports documentaries of all time, but also one of the greatest concert movies.

| Dec 29, 2021

At the time, it was a given that Foreman was going to slaughter Ali in the ring; the beauty of this movie is that it shows in amazing detail the process through which Ali stepped up to the challenge and succeeded against all expectations.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 27, 2019

Both a tribute to Ali and an evocation of a bygone era, it's about the transformative moment when black America, flexing its newborn pride, encountered black Africa.

| Mar 2, 2018

Thrilling boxing docu covers race, politics; some profanity.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jun 28, 2016

A film that answers why Ali's death is so significant. [Full review in Spanish]

| Jun 9, 2016

Almost too concentrated on Ali, but the story plays well with an exhilarating pace and plenty of well-remembered expositional details.

| Original Score: 5/5 | May 30, 2014

| Original Score: A | Sep 7, 2011

Gast never makes a mistake by turning the camera on Ali-he comes through like a champ

| Original Score: B+ | Mar 3, 2011

If anyone deserves an award, it is Ali; his charisma makes the film.

| Aug 4, 2008

A film as deserving of respect as its subjects.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Aug 4, 2008

Wonderful sports documentary covering the 1974 heavyweight championship fight in Zaire.

| Original Score: A | May 24, 2007

Enormously entertaining.

Full Review | Mar 26, 2007

The intersection of sports, politics and culture enlivens Leon Gast's entertaining documentary about the heavily promoted 1974 heavyweight championship bout between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 26, 2007

No comedian was ever funnier, no fighter ever faster than Muhammad Ali, who is caught at the top of his game in Leon Gast's valentine, When We Were Kings.

| Mar 26, 2007

A penetrating emotional analysis of the boxing which is nothing short of inspired.

| Jan 26, 2006

This is the real deal.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Dec 6, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 14, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 19, 2005

This is a great documentary film and a must for fans of the sport and Ali.

| Original Score: A | Apr 9, 2005