“Muhammad Ali,” a new four-part documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns, is coming to Panhandle PBS. The new series was written and co-directed by Sarah Burns and David McMahon, who previously worked with Burns on “The Central Park Five” (2012), “Jackie Robinson,” (2016) and “East Lake Meadows: A Public Housing Story,” (2020).
The film follows the life of its namesake, Muhammad Ali. Ali, though now regarded as an incredibly consequential man and an icon of American sports, was not always celebrated. During his life, he often received backlash, particularly from white Americans and members of the American media, for his Islamic faith and his refusal to join the U.S. Army. This action lead to five years of legal jeopardy, as well as a three-and-a-half-year ban from boxing.
“Ali is rightly celebrated for his athleticism in the ring,” said Sarah Burns, “but he was equally heroic in his willingness to stand up for what he believed was right.”
Ali’s athletic career was an unprecedented one: a three-time heavyweight boxing champion, he captivated the world with a combination of impressive speed, agility and power. Furthermore, Ali used his platform to challenge America’s racial prejudices, religious biases, and notions about what roles celebrities and athletes play in our society.
“Muhammad Ali was the very best at what he did,” said Ken Burns. “He was arguably America’s greatest athlete, and his unflinching insistence that he be unabashedly himself at all times made him a beacon for generations of people around the world seeking to express their own humanity.”
Burns, Burns and McMahon tell the story of “the greatest of all time” through a mix of archival footage and photographs, contemporary music, and the insights and memories of family, friends, journalists, boxers, historians and more.
Leading up to the premiere of “Muhammad Ali,” Ken Burns will join PBS and ESPN’s multimedia platform The Undefeated for a series of “Conversations on Muhammad Ali” to explore the intersection of sports, race and culture. These virtual events will feature input from sports and entertainment figures, scholars, writers, as well as clips of the film. Together, they will examine Ali’s life in the context of America and the world today.
“Muhammad Ali” will air on Panhandle PBS September 19-22 at 7 p.m. Prior to the premiere, Panhandle PBS will take part in an hour-long national discussion on the series with the filmmakers and special guests. RSVP for that event HERE. For For more information on the series and events leading up to the premiere, visit pbs.org/Ali.
