The Great White Hope
(1970)

Director: Martin Ritt

Key Cast: James Earl Jones, Jane Alexander, Lou Gilbert, Joel Fluellen, Chester Morris, Robert Webber, Marlene Warfield, R.G. Armstrong, Hal Holbrook, Beah Richards, Moses Gunn

Rating: PG-13

Genre(s): Drama, Sport, Biography

"The Great White Hope" stars James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander. This movie is based on the enormously successful stage play that appeared on Broadway. It is based on the life of the first African-American Heavyweight Champion of the World, Jack Johnson.

Jack Johnson not only fought in the ring, but outside the ring too. He rose to fame during a time of great social unrest and racism in the United States. He refused to be constrained by the social norms of the day which led to many battles during his life.

A flamboyant champion, "The Great White Hope" is a stellar movie account of Jack Johnson's life with an outstanding performance by James Earl Jones.

∙ "The Great White Hope" movie is a screen adaptation of the Pulitzer-Prize and Tony Award winning play by Howard Sackler. This play won three of the most important awards that a play on Broadway could win: The Pulitzer Prize, The New York Drama Critics' Circle Award and The Tony Award.

∙  James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander became famous for their performances in the Broadway play.  They have the same roles in the screen version.

∙  This movie was inspired by the true story of African-American boxer, Jack Johnson who was heavyweight champion from 1908-1915.  Jack Johnson was the first African-American heavyweight boxing champion.

∙  PBS did a documentary about the life of Jack Johnson entitled, Unforgivable Blackness: the Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson.  (More details about this DVD can be found below.)

∙  James Earl Jones won a 1971 Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male.

∙  Nominated for two additional 1971 Golden Globe Awards:  Best Actor in a Leading Role (James Earl Jones) and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Jane Alexander)

∙  Nominated for two 1971 Academy Awards:  Best Actor in a Leading Role (James Earl Jones) and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Jane Alexander)

Buy The Great White Hope Movie DVD
"The Great White Hope" stars James Earl Jones
and Jane Alexander. It is based on the true story of
boxer Jack Johnson.

James Earl Jones won a Golden Globe Award
for his performance in this movie.

 
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The Great White Hope Movie Poster
Buy The Great White Hope movie poster at Moviegoods.com. Moviegoods has The Great White Hope posters in various languages and styles. They also have a selection of movie stills photographs.

Click the poster image on the left
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Jack Johnson Documentary
"The Great White Hope" is a movie about the controversial life of boxer Jack Johnson. If you are interested in learning more about him, you should look at the PBS documentary "Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson."

This documentary chronicles his life from being the son of former slaves to his rise as heavyweight boxing champion of the world.

Buy Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

 
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over $25.