SHAKING UP THE WORLD
that he was a natural southpaw, which explained why he frequently threw a reverse one-two in error. Incidentally, Liston was also left-handed but boxed out of the orthodox stance throughout his career. “I spent my first two months just doing choreography before we started shooting,” said Best. “A lot of it was like being an athlete. I grew up playing all sports, but basketball is my favorite one. It’s like learning plays, essentially. You’ve got to learn it until you can master the play. That’s when you really experience the benefits. It’s very similar to learning the choreography and
“I knew I was doing a coming-of-age story,” said Watkins. “No matter who you are, where you come from, what gender, what culture, we all have to do a coming of age, and so I knew that's universally relatable. “I started digging around on Muhammad Ali. What were some of the challenges that he had in going from boy to man? I started seeing little hints of tension between Ali and his father. Some of it is mentioned in books, but it’s never really focused on. Even Ali at a young age, with his conviction and confidence, I realized how close he was to his mother. I
memorable as Clay’s younger brother, Rudy. There’s a standout performance by Erica Tazel, who plays Liston’s unwaveringly supportive but long- suffering wife, Geraldine. We don’t have space to list each performance, but everyone delivers: Aleks Paunovic as William Faversham, the fiery head of the Louisville Sponsoring Group, which financed the young Clay’s professional rise; the legendary Angelo Dundee is played by Giovanni Ribisi, who captures the shrewd and wisecracking trainer to perfection. Another one to look out for is Dean Redman’s portrayal of light heavyweight
his brother Rudy, is detailed accurately and serves as a visceral motivator for the young fighter from early on in the series. “We really went to great lengths to get the details about that right, but it also played into the coming of age,” Watkins stated. “If we’re going to see him convert to Islam, we have to also show Christianity in a way that doesn’t make that an easy decision, right? You have to show what his family’s [Christian] religion was, and why that was so important and such an integral part of their family life, and still see him go to the Nation of Islam because of the combination of factors that made
Archie Moore battering his pupil to the canvas seven times as punishment is also a tall tale, but again, it’s a way of highlighting young Clay’s fighting heart. He gets up seven times. There are some small inaccuracies in the boxing history front, but nothing that detracts from the viewing experience. The music is a mix of what was around during the early 1960s and a more contemporary cluster of R&B and hip-hop. This blend works really well and will help expand the demographic appeal. Visually, The Greatest is stunning, with Rome, Louisville and Miami retaining an authentic 1960s
Roc Nation handled the musical arrangements and also served in an executive producer capacity. It was clear in conversations with Watkins and Best that a second season is already being discussed. Both men looked very excited when I asked, and it’s not like they’ll be found wanting for material. “Hey, man, you know I ain’t got no hassle. I’m ready,” said Best, who was smiling from ear to ear at the prospect. Ali’s journey is multilayered and more fascinating than any Hollywood movie script, so following up with the rest of the story seems like a given.
showing up every day and trying to get these pieces together.” What makes The Greatest special are the performances by the lead actors. Outside of Best and Joseph, you have Omari Hardwick ( Power ) and Dana Gourrier ( True Detective ), who turn in terrific performances as Ali’s parents, Cassius Clay Sr. and Odessa “Bird” Clay. Watkins explores the dysfunctional side of young Cassius’ family life, placing a spotlight on his father’s jealousy, adultery and violence, which are juxtaposed alongside his mother’s unbridled love and devotion to her sons.
started saying, OK, well, if there was tension there, and there was some domestic violence in the household, you can't tell me that there wasn’t a lot going on between father and son. I asked around the family, and it was confirmed. It’s such a beautiful, bittersweet story. His father is an integral part of who he became, but [Ali’s father] was also a bitter man because he didn’t get a chance to live his dream. Imagine you help raise a son who is finally getting a chance to claim a dream, and it’s only a reminder of what you didn’t get.” Another newcomer, Kai Parham, is
champion Archie Moore, who briefly trained Clay at his Salt Mine Gym, which had a separate sparring area in a converted barn known as the “Bucket of Blood.” While their 1962 fight isn’t covered – it didn’t need to be – their early relationship is played out in full. The segregation, systemic inequality and racism that Clay and his family experienced are difficult but necessary themes. The abduction and brutal murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till had a profound effect on the young Cassius during his formative years and is explained in full. Clay’s conversion to Islam, which he undertook alongside
him convert.” Are some things made bigger for dramatic effect? Sure, but show me a biographical drama that doesn’t go there. When Liston is introduced to us in a penitentiary, we see the future heavyweight champion almost beat a fellow inmate to death wearing nothing but wraps around his fists. In reality, Liston boxed under proper rules and regulations while in prison and pursued an amateur career upon his release. When you introduce a menacing and recurring character in a TV series, you need some creative license, so that approach is understandable.
feel. “The first time I [saw] the whole story of the first episode, I’m in tears,” Watkins recalled. “There’s a difference between being there and getting it shot – piecing all that together over time, seeing it sequenced together – and watching a dream come true right in front of you.” As well as having streaming powerhouse Amazon Prime on board, The Greatest had other serious backing. Michael B. Jordan’s television production company, Outlier Society, serves as executive producer, as does Lonnie Ali. The media and entertainment company
“When I first stepped into this, I said, ‘In an ideal world, I would do three chapters,’” recalled Best. “The first would be 1960 to ’64, and that would be called ‘I Shook Up the World.’ The second chapter would be 1967 to ’71, which is the Fight of the Century [between Ali and Joe Frazier]. That would be called ‘Ready to Die.’ The last chapter would focus on The Rumble in the Jungle [between Ali and George Foreman] and be called “I Am The Greatest.” It’s almost as if history wrote this for us.” The team behind The Greatest is off to a wonderful start.
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