An American story. Traces the career of Joe Louis (1914-1981) within the context of American racial consciousness: his difficulty getting big fights early in his career, the pride of African-Americans in his prowess, the shift of White sentiment toward Louis as Hitler came to power, Louis's patriotism during World War II, and the hounding of Louis by the IRS for the following 15 years. In his last years, he's a casino greeter, a drug user, and the occasional object of scorn for young Turks like Muhammad Ali. Appreciative comment comes from boxing scholars, Louis's son Joe Jr., friends, and icons like Maya Angelou, Dick Gregory, and Bill Cosby.
Top Cast
Joe Louis as Self (archive footage)
Joe Louis Barrow Jr. as Self
Dick Gregory as Self
Jack Johnson as Self (archive footage)
Liev Schreiber as Narrator
Reviews
Loading reviews…
More Like This
I Am Ali
10 Oct 2014
Why We Fight: Prelude to War
27 May 1942
Buck
17 Jun 2011
Being James Bond
29 Aug 2021
Mickey: The Story of a Mouse
19 Mar 2022
Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds
22 May 2025
Woody Allen: A Documentary
20 Nov 2011
Heart of a Dog
21 Oct 2015
Above Majestic
30 Oct 2018
O.J.: Made in America
20 May 2016
Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story
20 Jun 2025
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
21 Sep 2024
Downloaded
20 Jun 2013
I Know That Voice
07 Jan 2014
Five Came Back
31 Mar 2017
Pumping Iron
18 Jan 1977
Four Hours at the Capitol
20 Oct 2021
I Am Heath Ledger
23 Apr 2017
For the Love of Spock
09 Sep 2016
Naqoyqatsi
02 Sep 2002