The Trials of Muhammad Ali

The Trials of Muhammad Ali

Directed by Bill Siegel

Produced by Kartemquin Films

201386 min7.1 / 10

A substantive biographical documentary that traces Muhammad Ali's spiritual and political awakening against the backdrop of race, religion, and Cold War America.

Brash boxer Cassius Clay burst into the American consciousness in the early 1960s, just ahead of the Civil Rights movement. His transformation into the spiritually enlightened heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali is legendary, but this religious awakening also led to a bitter legal battle with the U.S. government after he refused to serve in the Vietnam War. This film reveals the perfect storm of race, religion and politics that shaped one of the most recognizable figures in sports history.

Questions people ask

  • Does The Trials of Muhammad Ali end with hope? Somewhat. More hopeful than 70% of films.

  • Is The Trials of Muhammad Ali sad? Somewhat. More sad than 61% of films.

  • Is The Trials of Muhammad Ali easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 60% of films.

  • Is The Trials of Muhammad Ali violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is The Trials of Muhammad Ali scary? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

59/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity79

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise33

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love72

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like The Trials of Muhammad Ali

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Trials of Muhammad Ali

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Trials of Muhammad Ali, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Trials of Muhammad Ali, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Trials of Muhammad Ali, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

Share thisXBlueskyReddit