Frazier vs Ali Documentary 'Thrilla in Manila' to Air Thursday on HBO
by Scott Christ on Nov 8, 2011 7:11 PM EST
in Boxing TV Schedules
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HBO will be airing the critically acclaimed documentary Thrilla in Manila, which covers the third Ali vs Frazier fight from 1975, often called the greatest fight in boxing history.
Here's the press release with details:
HBO will pay tribute to the legacy of heavyweight great Joe Frazier, who passed away Nov. 7, with a special encore play of THRILLA IN MANILA, the compelling 2009 documentary chronicling the competition between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, widely considered the greatest rivalry in boxing history. The 90-minute film will be seen THURSDAY, NOV. 10 (6:30-8:00 p.m. ET/PT).
Other HBO playdate: Sunday, Nov. 13 (5:30 p.m.)
HBO Signature playdate: Friday, Nov. 11 (4:30 p.m.)
THRILLA IN MANILA tells the story of the final Ali-Frazier fight in the searing heat of the Philippines through the eyes of Frazier - the "other man" in the ring. The film is also available to subscribers at HBO On Demand® through Nov. 27.
An official selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and a Peabody Award winner, THRILLA IN MANILA chronicles one of the bitterest sports face-offs ever, recounting a tale of personal betrayal stoked by the racial politics of 1970s America. Featuring archival footage and exclusive interviews with boxing insiders, including Ferdie Pacheco, Butch Lewis and Dave Wolf, as well as Imelda Marcos, former first lady of the Philippines, the documentary tells the story of two great fighters forever linked by three epic bouts, and looks at their final fight, considered the most brutal, from Frazier's perspective for the first time.
Directed by John Dower ("Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of The New York Cosmos"), THRILLA IN MANILA deftly tracks an extraordinary personal battle between two friends, and captures the poignant moment in the socio-cultural history of the country when they became American sports icons and legends. While Ali was a symbol of the civil rights struggle and the anti-Vietnam War movement, Frazier was cast (some would say unfairly) as the symbol of the pro-war, conservative segment of American society.
In 1967, Ali was stripped of his heavyweight crown after refusing induction into the armed forces. THRILLA IN MANILA shows how Frazier subsequently befriended Ali and supported the renewal of his boxing license and status, revealing the intense feelings of betrayal he felt after Ali returned to the ring in 1970 and subjected him to race-baiting attacks.
HBO Documentary Films and HBO Sports present A Darlow Smithson/IMG Media Company Production; narrated by Liev Schreiber; produced and directed by John Dower; executive producers, John Smithson and Elinor Day; executive producer for British Channel 4, Andrew Mackenzie; director of photography, Stephen Standen; editors, Nicholas Packer and Kate Spankie.
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I think this is another thing Boxnation should try to pick up
I don’t have any idea how feasable it would be. But I will certainly watch it. And im sure pretty much all of the brit posters on here would too
Channel 4 are the rightsholders in the UK. They made the documentary alongside HBO. Expect it to air again sometime soon, I’d imagine.
"Occasionally, there is a boxing match that, in its demonstration of skill, courage, intelligence, hope, seems to redeem the sport - almost. Perhaps boxing has always been a sport in crisis, a sport of crisis."
by Oli Goldstein on Nov 8, 2011 8:15 PM EST up reply actions
It’s a really wonderful documentary. I bought the DVD from Amazon – well, well worth it.
"Occasionally, there is a boxing match that, in its demonstration of skill, courage, intelligence, hope, seems to redeem the sport - almost. Perhaps boxing has always been a sport in crisis, a sport of crisis."
by Oli Goldstein on Nov 9, 2011 5:56 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve seen this 4 or 5 times, and it is astonishing. If you haven’t seen it, then do anything you can to watch it somehow.
To really appreciate it, if you haven’t yet seen any of Frazier’s fights, watch as many as you can before you see this, or at least watch the highlights reel posted here.
As incredible as the fight itself is, the drama in the corners at the end of the 14th round, and the outcome of those few moments, really makes this a transcendental event in boxing.
It was a great documentary…. Ali was a world class douchebag towards Frazier… There is also another out there “One Nation Divisible” that I remember that HBO put out a while ago.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
Yeah. That is a badass outfit.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Nov 9, 2011 12:28 AM EST up reply actions
I remember him going to Boyd’s, Philadelphia’s downtown haberdashery, and ‘buying’ a jumpsuit….yep,a jumpsuit….and going out all night dancing…. then returning it sweat stains and all…asking for and getting his money back as if never worn.
Loved that man.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Why not air/produce something related to the Fight of the Century? That was a better fight and one that he won. That would be a real tribute.
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