When we Were Kings Analysis

When we were kings directed by Leon Gast is a documentary on the celebrated ?rumble in the jungle? heavy cant over stand-in between George Forman and Muhammad Ali. The sputter took place October 30, 1974 in Zaire, Africa.

Rumble in the Jungle was the title match between world giant champion George headman and his challenger the former champion Muhammad Ali. The take the field took place in Zaire; where it was promoted by Don King, This pillow slip was one of Don King?s first prodigious promotions as he got both Ali and Forman to sign separate contracts that would submit them $5 million if they win and as well(p) as add up some big names to perform in Zaire much(prenominal) as James Brown and B.B. King.

The principal(prenominal) themes and ideas of when we were kings are identity, culture and self esteem, these themes a represented through various visual techniques such as camera crop and symphony.

Throughout the film the theme of identity and culture are expressed through camera work, riseing a equation of life styles between Africans and African-Americans, the life style of rich and poor. Ali erst firearm describes that there is dignity and freedom is poverty as in America they are spoiled. Muhammad Ali was revered in Zaire, as he was the great African American boxer who stood up against the American Government. The mess of Zaire liked that he refused to go to war. Forman was slight popular than Ali in Zaire but was the crowed favorite all over else. No one thought that Ali can win; Insiders assert that in gaffer?s dressing direction cut intolers real prayed he wouldn?t kill Ali. Because of these criticisms and his courage Ali, had become a hero. There is a sense of irony in the complete idea of Ali defending the good course and non chip for himself, as the President in Zaire Mobutu Sese Seko was a dictator.

Muhammad Ali has steep self-esteem he is devolvesome, funny, powerful and a good man. Ali is wax of confidence and charisma making him a very appealing person. George chieftain had very high self-esteem as well; you could say that his personality is opposite Ali?s. He was the man who run away both people that Ali had lost to and unlike Ali who was an agile social dancer knob relied on brute force and fought by cornering his opponents. Ali and tribal chief spent much of their time in Zaire training, Foreman after punching humongous punching bag making the whole room shake he would leave a dent of ? half(a) a watermelon? size. While Foreman was punching the bag Ali would not look at him once, this represents that Ali had no business concern and was very confident. The fight between Forman and Ali was sometimes described as Age vs. Youth.

beforehand the first round, one of the interviewee describes Ali?s dressing room as the ?last supper?.

When the fight first started Ali attacked Foreman with right hand jabs this was surprising as Ali is famed for his speed and how he ?dances? in the ring. Foreman was enraged at Ali?s right hand jabs and started to hit Ali harder. After the first round they saw fear in Ali?s eyes for the first time, at that second base Ali realized he could not beat Foreman and dogged to do the rope-a-dope. Ali?s plan was to let Foreman glom all his energy throwing punches at Ali that would either be dodged or be blocked so that Ali would take little damage. Ali would show little resistance to Foreman?s blows, as he would occasionally throw a few jabs at Foreman?s face.

Ali would consistently outwrestle Foreman, using tactics such as leaning on him to making him support his weight or holding his head down, these were both disorientating moves, which can increase the take a come across of a knockout.



While doing all this Ali would constantly taunt Foreman, obese him that his not punching hard enough, this made Foreman go berserk, throwing harder punches and acquiring tired very quickly. Soon their fight became so basal that it was described, ?they were like children, not professional heavy weight pants?.

The interviewees describing the moment emphasized the fight and they wasn?t much music but the diegetic sound of the crowed and the commentaries.

After several rounds of punching Ali and supporting his weight Foreman began to tire. After the fifth round it was visible that Foreman?s stamina was draining from him and the damage caused by Ali?s occasional jabs. Finally in the eighth round, Ali had a chance to throw a rock-hard punch straight to Forman?s face. Foreman was staggered and started to twirl before he was knocked out, he could not get up on the count down and Ali was crowned the winner.

adept of the interviewees describes Ali as a ?sleeping elephant?, where you can do anything to the elephant while it?s sleeping but once it wakes up it shake everything. Others describe the moment, how he did it even though the odds were against him. These interviews show how much people loved Ali and how they idolized him.

The ending with the mordant & white photos and the historic footages show Ali?s life, the important events and the people he met. The song ?when we were kings? is playing the background as the footage of Ali merging some important people at the time such as the Jackson 5, Beetles and the King, Elvis. These footages show us what an important suppose he was at the time, how these people had to come meet Ali sometime in their life.

Bibliography: My own notes(Kevin Nam, Sydney, Australia)P.Nesbitt (carlingford High School)

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