This one has been out a number of years, however, it's never too late to discover a gem from Ken Burns. Muhammad Ali provides in-depth information, emotional substance, and an overall celebration of one of the most interesting figures in sports history. Even if you're not a fan of boxing, this is a must-see.
“Muhammad Ali brings to life one of the best-known and most indelible figures of the 20th Century, a three-time heavyweight boxing champion who captivated millions of fans throughout the world with his mesmerizing combination of speed, grace, and power in the ring, and charm and playful boasting outside of it. Ali spoke his mind and stood on principal, staying true to his Islamic faith and refusing induction into the U.S. Army, even when it cost him his livelihood. Banished for his beliefs, he returned to boxing an underdog, reclaiming his title twice, and became the most famous man on earth. An intimate portrait of a larger-than-life global icon, this four-part, eight-hour documentary tells the story of an exceptional athlete whose influence transcends sports. “He was,” the novelist Norman Mailer wrote, “the very spirit of the 20th Century.”
Ken Burns has spent decades defining the American documentary form. From the unforgettable The Civil War (1990), which introduced his signature style of slow pans across still photographs set to period music and informative narration, to expansive cultural histories such as Baseball, The Dustbowl, The National Parks, and The Vietnam War, Burns has become the most recognizable and trusted name in the genre. His rigorous research, writing and filmmaking has more than once captivated audiences and brought important moments in American history to the public eye once more.
Muhammad Ali, the 2021 four-part, roughly eight-hour documentary series directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon, is a comprehensive portrait of one of the most influential sports figures, and public figures, of the 20th century. Narrated by Keith David, the series traces Cassius Clay’s journey from a Louisville boy whose stolen bicycle led him to a boxing gym, through his Olympic gold medal, his transformation into Muhammad Ali, his refusal of military induction during the Vietnam War, the stripping of his title, his dramatic comeback, legendary rivalries with Joe Frazier and George Foreman, and his later years as a global icon. Across four episodes: “The Greatest,” “What’s My Name?,” “The Rivalry,” and “The Spell Remains”, the film balances the spectacle of the ring with the personal, political, and spiritual dimensions of Ali’s life.
Burns’ style is what makes the documentary so familiar and so accessible to fans of his: archival footage, still photographs, interviews with family, friends, rivals, and historians, and a pacing that allows complex ideas and contradictions to breathe. Ali was a controversial presence at times, and this documentary succeeds at painting the good, and the bad things he did in his life. It’s fascinating how Burns can make your opinion on something shift wildly throughout his series.
We’re given a wealth of insight into a man whose influence extended far beyond sports. Ali’s insistence on being fully himself: his name change, his faith, his opposition to the Vietnam War, and his outspoken challenges to racial injustice, helped reshape public conversations about race, religion, patriotism, and personal conviction in America and around the world. The documentary captures both the electric charisma that made him a showman and the principled stands that made him a transformative cultural force.
Video
The Blu-ray set presents the series in solid 1080p High Definition. Archival film, photographs, and contemporary interviews are cleanly rendered, with good detail and contrast that serve the mixed-source material well.
Audio
Audio is offered in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Narration, interviews, and the carefully chosen music and sound design are clear and immersive, supporting the emotional and dramatic peaks of Ali’s story.
Special Features
No extras for this documentary.
Muhammad Ali on Blu-ray is an essential addition for fans of Ken Burns, boxing history, and American cultural documentaries. Even if you aren’t particularly a fan of sports or boxing in general, the historical information and portrayal of this important figure in our history is captivating, and definitely worth a viewing. It offers a rich, layered examination of a figure whose impact transcended the ring and helped challenge and reshape racial prejudices and social norms. This is out now and highly recommended.
AV Entertainment provided us with a copy of this disc for review, which if interested, you can pre-purchase here.