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.
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
Randy Roberts
as Self
Gerald Early
as Self
Maya Angelou
as Self
Bill Cosby
as Self
Jimmy Carter
as Self
Paul Schulder
as Self
Lester Rodney
as Self
