The Fight
Film

The Fight (1974)

Directed By

Saturday, October 27, Freer|Sackler Gallery of Art
Runtime: 126 min

In 1971, maverick filmmaker William Greaves trained his cameras on both Muhammad Ali and his opponent, Joe Frazier, ahead of the “Fight of the Century” at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The epic battle was supposed to be Ali's big comeback following the suspension of his boxing license in 1967. In addition to the media circus surrounding both combatants, Greaves shot the match in its entirety from a dizzying array of camera angles, making the director's cut of The Fight both an invaluable historical document as well as a virtuosic piece of filmmaking.

Part of “Ali” Program by Steve Macfarlane

Check out some amazing objects in the museum's collection related to this film.
Training robe worn by Muhammad Ali at the 5th Street Gym Credit: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

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