- Release Date: August 12th, 2008
- Publisher: PBS Paramount
- Price: $17.99 on Amazon
- Rating: Not Rated
- Genre: Documentary
- Run Time: 60 Minutes
- Special Features: Muhammad Ali Made in Miami Preview, A Conversation with the Producers
In this brand new documentary from PBS, you can follow a key part of Cassius Clay’s (Muhammad Ali) life. This documentary follows the time that he spent in Miami. He came to Miami in order to become a champion. He ended up doing much more than that when he became a legend. This document looks at his time at the Fifth Street Gym, his adoption of the teachings of the Nation of Islam, his friendship with Malcom X, his famed encounter with the Beatles, his victory over Sonny Liston, and his refusal to fight in the Vietnam War. These events shaped his life and lead him down the path that turned him into a legend.
As you already know, this DVD was made by PBS. Since this was made by PBS you can probably already know what to expect out of this movie. If you aren’t willing to learn you might as well stop reading this review already since this DVD is not for you. This movie is a documentary that is meant to teach you about Muhammad Ali’s life. If this doesn’t interest you this DVD is obviously not for you.
Muhammad Ali Made in Miami is a documentary that uses still photography, original footage, and interviews with people that knew Muhammad Ali best during that time period. The combination of these elements create a documentary that gives you both the facts and what Muhammad Ali must have been going through during this important time in his life. Obviously since all these events took place in the black and white era the only color you are going to see in this documentary is when interviews with his peers are shown.
I personally thought this DVD was only ok. I personally am not a huge fan of boxing so that also means that I am not that interested in Muhammad Ali’s life. Since this is the main topics of the documentary it really wasn’t meant for me. Despite not thinking it was that great I could tell that it was a quality production. I actually learned a lot about Muhammad Ali by watching this hour long documentary. Despite not liking it that much myself, I can tell that if you are interested in boxing, Muhammad Ali, or even this point in American history you should like this documentary and I would recommend that you check it out.
My Rating: 
Muhammad Ali or Boxing Fans: 
