Customer Reviews

Great White Hope [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I can't say enough about this great film, which is obviously woefully underappreciated, since it's currently not available on video at all. James Earl Jones is mesmerizing, the script and direction are impeccable--yet another great movie from Martin Ritt. So many of the scenes are unlike anything I've seen before in the brutal frankness the filmmakers use to portray race relations circa 1910.

This is a remarkable and forceful film, well written and directed. Jones shows a physical prowess that does not come through in any other film I have seen him in and carries the role with a natural grace. Sharply exposing the prejudice of the time, it is also unfliching in the portrait of a man brought to ruin by the forces around him, with not a little assistance from his own feeling of being untouchable. Highly recommended.

This movie (which claims to be based on true events) compellingly deals with the struggle of America's first black heavyweight boxing champion against racism (both black and white).

Far from being pointless, the movie (adapted from a successful stage play) realistically presents the outrageous way this man is treated for having the "audacity" to win the heavyweight championship from a white man, have a relationship with a white woman, and openly celebrate both of these facts. He is shamelessly persecuted by the governement (using obscure laws never intended for the purpose) and disowned by some in the black community for being a "traitor" to his own race and a bad role model to young blacks who admire him.

The acting is superb, and the story (set in the early 20th century) takes on an added dimension when one considers how closely it parallels the events of the year it was released (1970 - a time when Muhammed Ali had been deprived of the right to box for several of his best years due to his refusal to be drafted into the U.S. armed forces; many have argued the real reason for this was that he scared and outraged some white Americans, being a vocal, opinionated black man who embraced the teachings and religion of Malcom X). there are a number of people who have seen this relatively obscure movie and who think very highly of it.

I saw this movie when it first came out in the theatres in 1970. It may not be quite as powerful today as it was then, but it is definitely worth seeing for the performances by Jones and Alexander, two of the finest actors in America.

Neither this movie, nor the play it was created from were
directly based on true events. The work is loosely based on
events in the life of boxer Jack Johnson. But major portions
of the story diverge greatly from the story of the real man.
Thats not a bad thing in that movie tells a compelling story
by changing the facts, but the side-effect is that it distorts
the history of the real man.

The film gives a really distorted picture of the life of a boxer
in that era. The typical boxer was a drunk surrounded by
hangers-on, prostitutes and women attracted by money and
celebrity. It wasn't really any sort of world of romance and
deep love as shown in the film. It was about greed, violence
and the "rewards" (the women) of being a champion.

Where the movie misses the point totally is in not understanding
that root problem wasn't just racism, but a business and media
culture who were totally willing to use racism and racial
conflict as a way to sell tickets and newspapers. Jack Johnson
(and the search for the great white hope) was a godsend for
the boxing establishment. By combining racial conflict
with sports, interest in boxing and newspaper coverage of
boxing went way up. It was never how he was openly living
that was the problem (even in 1910), it was the decision of
the newspapers to focus in on how he was living.

Also, despite all the outrage and the ill-treatment of Jack
Johnson, he kept both the title and his freedom until age
(not racism) caught up with him. The film spreads the old
lie that the fight in Cuba was thrown. It was not. He lost
because he was old and his lifestyle (like all boxers of that
era) had caught up to him.

The acting in the film is first-rate, but the story doesn't
hold up. Its a 1960's era political film that makes valid
points about racism and hypocracy of that time. But these
days, the issues at hand are atheletes who are either made
into saints or devils at the whim of a few reporters.
All to sell papers or get viewers. While the reality of these
mens lives isn't reported at all.

As an 18-yr old, I vividly remember when this movie came out and the swirling controversies that accompanied it. Whites were cautious because it openly dealt with not only an interracial love affair but because of the depiction of an unrelenting, proud, but very angry black man. Interestingly enough, with the advent of Black Power/the Revolution and the emergence of the Black Panthers, most black audiences were equally cautious as well and for exactly the same reasons. Also keep in mind I was living in the South then too. Even in 1970, few southern towns would actually show the film.

This is a variation on the real-life troubles of Jack Johnson, one of boxing's earliest contenders.

Hands down the most compelling performances are those of James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander that leave an indelible imprint on the viewer. Because of the racial fabric of the time, Jack knew he was asking for trouble by openly defying white authority and then compounding that by becoming involved with a white woman. Both undoubtedly knew full well what they would be up against. While they may have deeply loved each other in the beginning, they soon discovered that simply love does not conquer all.

The movie is also filled with treasures of African-American performances by the likes of Beah Richards, Moses Gunn, Roy Glenn Sr. and Virginia Capers. This alone is worth the price of admission.

In many instances it is most difficult to watch. Two mesmerizing and thoroughly wrenching scenes were Jane's suicide and when Jack and company were reduced to performing "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in Europe to survive.

The film is most certainly uncompromising which was a MAJOR achievement given the social fabric at the time. James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander both deserved Oscars for their performances but that would have been like condoning their whole situation and god KNOWS Hollywood would NEVER have done that.....(sigh) Another example of not being able to see the forest for the trees.

Nonetheless, this is an eeeeeeeeeexcellent film and most worthy of your movie collection

You don't have to be a fan of boxing to enjoy this movie. THE GREAT WHITE HOPE is the story of Jack Johnson, the famed illustrious 'Negro' boxer. Fortunately, James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander reprieve the role they played in the successful Broadway play (1968), each giving a powerful performance. It was said that Mohamed Ali saw the play and later modeled his boxing 'personality' after the famed Jack Johnson.

I've read many biographies of the late Jack Johnson, and I think that the movie does not follow true to the actually events in Johnson's life. Still, the movie is gripping, thanks to James Earl Jones' intense electrifying portrayal of Jack Johnson. I highly recommend this movie.

this Movie for it's time frame was Ground-Breaking.in 1971 to be doing a Movie with a Black Actor&White Female Lead was Big.well sorry to say it still is in 2001.James Earl Jones was Good as Jack Johnson.but I'd dig a New up-dated take on it.anyway The Soundtrack was a Knock-Out.Miles Davis&His Band went the full 15 Rounds.this Film has a Cool Pace&isn't like many other films for that Reason alone.It's History seldom mentioned.

I saw this film in the theater while in High School and was blown away. Loosely based on the life of Jack Johnson like so many other so called "film biographies". The 1968-69 Pulitzer Prize winning play by Howard Sackler, brought to film in 1970, with James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander repeating their Broadway roles. Just a taste of what the real Jack Johnson was up against during the turn-of-the century. Arrogant black man not afraid to say anything he pleased while winning the heavyweight boxing title, and freely flaunting his love for white women when lynchings were the rule for "uppity n*****s". A very unfortunate part of America's legacy.

A real gutsy, meaty, in-your-face role for Mr. Jones that brought him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. And his love interest, beautifully portrayed by Ms. Alexander was also rewarded an Oscar nomination for Best Actress as well. A powerful drama, with a rarely seen strong romantic coupling of a black man and a white woman. Another Martin Ritt directed masterpiece. Another film that took forever to release on DVD.

A Strong movie with a great cast. Not too many years ago the world was very different and this movie tells the story as it was. You get involved in the inequalities of that era and of how people suffered because of prejudice.