| | | A Michael Mann film.
Features: DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.40:1, Dolby Digital (5.1), English, Spanish, Subtitled, French, Dubbed & Subtitled
Superstar Will Smith gives the performance of his career, earning an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor in his role as boxing legend Muhammad Ali in a visually amazing epic drama from Academy Award-nominated director Michael Mann. Muhammad Ali thrills the world with his ground-breaking boxing victories in the '60s and '70s. But the man behind the legend is grappling with a tumultuous romantic life, his deeply held religious beliefs and the pressures of staying on top. A quick-witted, winning personality and strong friendships with close associates including renowned newscaster Howard Cosell (Jon Voight, in an Academy Award-nominated performance) help Ali "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee." But faced with a life-changing conflict outside of the ring, the famously opinionated boxer is forced to rely on the one person he knows the best: himself.
"Will Smith is The Greatest!" Sara Edwards, NBC Boston
"Michael Mann and Will Smith punch their way to the bruised heart of a hero." Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
"...the narrative is compelling, as are the performances." James Berardinelli's ReelViews
"...an honest, richly detailed, gorgeous movie." David Anson, Newsweek
"...captures the impact and charisma." Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
"Will Smith is vastly impressive..." Danny Graydon, BBCi
"Michael Mann is a master filmmaker." Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Editor's Note
Michael Mann's ALI manages to be an informative look at the career of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and an entertaining and moving portrait of the man. The action begins with the brash young Cassius Clay's surprising victory over Sonny Liston. The film depicts Clay's conversion to Islam, his partnership with "Bundini" Brown (Jamie Foxx in a wonderfully complex turn), his friendship with Howard Cosell (a transformed Jon Voight), his principled refusal to serve in the military during Vietnam, and his subsequent problems with the law and the boxing commission. The film concludes with Ali's battle with George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle." Will Smith delivers a worthy performance, transforming his body, face, and voice to capture the spirit of the charismatic fighter. The work of the supporting cast is superb, including Smith's real-life wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Marvin Gaye's daughter, Nona Gaye, as the women in Ali's life. Mann brings the viewer in close to the boxing action, effectively depicting Ali's unique grace and quickness, and the violent frenzy of the sport. The film shows the familiar public figure of fights and press conferences, and also gives a glimpse of the quiet, thoughtful private life of Ali.
| Features | Theatrical Trailers | | Dolby Digital 5.1 | | Mastered in High Definition | | Widescreen Edition 1:78:1 | | Animated Menus | | Scene Selections |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Columbia Tri-Star |
| Release Date: 12/21/2004 |
| Running Time: 157 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2001 | | Catalog ID: 06689 | | UPC: 00043396066892 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English, French Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: English, French, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 1.78:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (2002) | | | Will Smith, Nominee, Best Actor | | | Jon Voight, Nominee, Best Supporting Actor | |
Golden Globe (2002) | | | Will Smith, Nominee, Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture-Drama | | | Jon Voight, Nominee, Best Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role In A Motion Picture | | | Peter Bourke, Lisa Gerrard, Nominee, Best Original Motion Picture Score | |
Image Award (2002) |  | Jamie Foxx, Winner, Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Motion Picture | | | Will Smith, Nominee, Outstanding Actor In A Motion Picture | | | Mario Van Peebles, Nominee, Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Motion Picture | | | Jada Pinkett Smith, Nominee, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Motion Picture |
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| | Professional Reviews | New York Times
"...ALI is a breakthrough for director Michael Mann....His overwhelming love of its subject will turn audiences into exuberant, thrilled fight crowds..." 12/25/2001 p.E1Entertainment Weekly
"...Dazzling....As Ali, Will Smith undergoes the kind of astonishing self-transformation that makes you blink, then stare..." 01/04/2002 p.44-5 Rolling Stone
"...Smith gives a towering performance, defiantly funny and impassioned....Mann and Smith deliver this powerhouse with the urgency of a champ's left hook..." 01/17/2002 p.56 Variety
"...[The film] possesses an informed, intelligent perspective..." 12/17/2001 p.35-41 Box Office
"...Smith is undeniably excellent in the role, capturing the essence of Ali's character....Other supporting performers are equally convincing..." 02/01/2002 p.56 Total Film
"...Smith has nailed the voice, the charm, the body language -- he has, in short, become Ali as much as any actor possibly could..." 03/01/2002 p.100 Sight and Sound
"...Will Smith embodies the public Ali with supreme confidence, bringing the familiar routines to his life without falling back on mere impersonation..." 03/01/2002 p.34=5 The New York Times 9 of 10
...The script has been developed to give Mr. Smith the opportunity to burrow inside Ali. There are moments of the rousing Ali, as he announces his refusal to go to Vietnam or spars with Howard Cosell, played by Jon Voight, whose portrayal is a riveting tribute to his character actor's instincts. Mr. Voight goes beyond impersonation; he makes Cosell a recognizable human being. - Elvis Mitchell
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