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The Great White Hope (1970)

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Average Rating: 5.5/10
Reviews Counted: 6
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 4

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 511

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Movie Info

Although the characters' names were changed, The Great White Hope was a thinly veiled account of the trials and tribulations of boxer Jack Johnson, based on the play by Howard Sackler and directed by Martin Ritt. James Earl Jones stars as boxing great Jack Jefferson, who defeats Frank Bardy Larry Pennell in a Reno, Nevada bout to become the world's first black heavyweight champion. After crossing a state line with his white girlfriend Eleanor (Jane Alexander in her feature debut), however, Jack

PG-13, 1 hr. 43 min.

Drama, Classics

Directed By: Martin Ritt

Written By: Howard Sackler

In Theaters: Oct 16, 1970 Wide

On DVD: Jan 11, 2005

Cast

James Earl Jones
Jack Jefferson
Jane Alexander
Eleanor
Lou Gilbert
Goldie
Joel Fluellen
Tick
Chester Morris
Pop Weaver
Robert Webber
Dixon
Marlene Warfield
Clara
R.G. Armstrong
Cap'n Dan
Hal Holbrook
Cameron
Beah Richards
Mama Tiny
Moses Gunn
Scipio
Lloyd Gough
Smitty
George Ebeling
Fred
Larry Pennell
Brady
Roy E. Glenn Sr.
Pastor
Marcel Dalio
French Promoter
Rodopho (Rudy) Acosta
El Jefe
Virginia Capers
Sister Pearl
Scatman Crothers
Barker
Oscar Beregi Sr.
Ragosy
Robert A. Davis
Basil Dignam
English Official
Manuel Padilla
Paco
Rockne Tarkington
Rudy
Bill Walker
Deacon
Karl Otto Alberty
Hans

Critic Reviews for The Great White Hope

All Critics (6) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (4)

Jones' re-creation of his stage role is an eye-riveting experience. The towering rages and unrestrained joys of which his character was capable are portrayed larger than life.

January 14, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety

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Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

One of those liberal, well-meaning, fervently uncontroversial works that pretend to tackle contemporary problems by finding analogies at a safe remove in history.

May 9, 2005 Full Review Source: New York Times

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

Provocative but never challenging.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

The movie is too theatrical and every idea is spelled out for the audience, but the acting of James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander (both Oscar-nominated) is good.

October 1, 2009 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

The love story between Alexander and Jones is touchingly portrayed.

January 14, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

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Audience Reviews for The Great White Hope

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The actual history is quite distorted but both James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander give great performances.

January 17, 2012

jay nixon

Super Reviewer

a fictionalized account of the fascinating life of jack johnson, the first black world heavyweight champ, 1908-1915, played powerfully by james earl jones. for the incredible true story of perhaps the greatest heavyweight champ of all time, see ken burns' terrific pbs documentary unforgivable blackness: the rise and

June 12, 2009