When We Were Kings poster

When We Were Kings

The untold story of the Rumble in the Jungle.

7.6(264)19961h 29m3

It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years younger and the heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece to fight one another, and when they accept, King has only to come up with the money. He finds a willing backer in Mobutu Sese Suko, the dictator of Zaire, and the "Rumble in the Jungle" is set, including a musical festival featuring some of America's top black performers, like James Brown and B.B. King.

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Status
Released
Budget
—
Box office
$2.8M
Language
English
  • africa
  • boxer
  • black magic
  • world champion
  • zaire
  • psychic power
  • sympathy
  • endurance
  • sports documentary
  • power of love
  • heavyweight champion
  • boxing

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Director

Leon Gast

Writers

Leon Gast

Produced in

United States of America, Congo

Gallery

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Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • PremiereSundance Film Festival20 Jan 1996
    • Theatrical (limited)PG25 Oct 1996
    • Theatrical14 Feb 1997
  • United KingdomGB

    • Theatrical16 May 1997
    • Physical12Blu-ray4 Nov 2024
  • CzechiaCZ

    • Physical14 Dec 1997
  • NetherlandsNL

    • Theatrical1617 Apr 1997
    • Physical16DVD9 Apr 2009
    • TV16RTL 716 Aug 2014

Frequently asked questions

When We Were Kings was released on 25 October 1996.

Audience reviews

1
  • P

    pablogeezer

    8/28/2013

    Roger Ebert February 27, 1997 The heavyweight title fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire on Oct. 30, 1974--”The Rumble in the Jungle”--is enshrined as one of the great sports events of the century. It was also a cultural and political happening. Into the capital of Kinshasa flew planeloads of performers for an “African Woodstock,” TV crews, Howard Cosell at the head of an international conti…

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