| The Greatest | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:The-greatest-movie-poster-1977.jpg) Theatrical release poster by John Solie | |
| Directed by | Tom Gries |
| Written by | Muhammad Ali (short) Herbert Muhammad & Richard Durham (book) Ring Lardner Jr. |
| Produced by | John Marshall |
| Starring | Muhammad Ali Ernest Borgnine John Marley Lloyd Haynes Robert Duvall David Huddleston Ben Johnson James Earl Jones Dina Merrill Roger E. Mosley Paul Winfield Annazette Chase Mira Waters |
| Cinematography | Harry Stradling Jr. |
| Edited by | Byron Brandt |
| Music by | Michael Masser |
Production companies | |
Release date |
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Running time | 101 minutes |
| Countries | United States United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3.8 million (US rentals)[1] |
The Greatest is a 1977 biographical sports film about the life of boxer Muhammad Ali, in which Ali plays himself. It was directed by Tom Gries.[2] The film follows Ali's life from the 1960 Summer Olympics to his regaining the heavyweight crown from George Foreman in their famous "Rumble in the Jungle" fight in 1974. The film consists largely of archival footage of Ali's boxing matches used in the screenplay.
The film is based on the book The Greatest: My Own Story written by Muhammad Ali and Richard Durham and edited by Toni Morrison.[3]
The song "The Greatest Love of All" was written for this film by Michael Masser (music) and Linda Creed, (lyrics) and sung by George Benson; it was later covered and made a Billboard Hot 100 #1 single by Whitney Houston.
- ^ "Big Rental Films of 1977". Variety: 21. January 4, 1978.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (May 21, 1977). "The Greatest (1977) Ali's Latest Victory Is 'The Greatest'". The New York Times.
- ^ "The Greatest". www.nytimes.com.