'Thrilla In Manilla'
In the world of pro sports, classic rivalries are woven into the fabric of the game. In basketball, there’s the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers; in baseball, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox; in football, the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. In boxing, there’s Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, whose epic three-bout series from 1971 to 1975 transcended the sport. THRILLA IN MANILA tells the previously unknown story of their final fight in the searing heat of the Philippines through the eyes of the “other man” in the ring – Frazier. Premieres Saturday, April 11 at 8pm (ET).
Check the Official Website for the HBO Documentary >
An Official Selection at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, THRILLA IN MANILA chronicles one of the bitterest sports face-offs ever, recounting a tale of personal betrayal that was stoked by the racial politics of 1970s America. Featuring archival footage and exclusive interviews with boxing insiders, including Ferdie Pacheco, Butch Lewis and Dave Wolf, as well as Imelda Marcos, former First Lady of the Philippines, the documentary tells the story of two great fighters forever linked by three epic bouts, and looks at their final fight, considered the most brutal, from Frazier’s perspective for the first time.
Smokin' Joe Frazier
Directed by John Dower (“Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of The New York Cosmos”), THRILLA IN MANILA deftly tracks an extraordinary personal battle between two friends, and captures the poignant moment in the socio-cultural history of the country when they became American sports icons and legends. While Ali was a symbol of the civil rights struggle and anti-Vietnam War movement, Frazier was cast as the symbol of the pro-war, conservative segment of American society, some would say unfairly.
In 1967, Ali was stripped of his heavyweight crown after refusing induction into the armed forces. The film reveals how Frazier subsequently befriended Ali and supported the renewal of his boxing license and status, showing the intense feelings of betrayal he felt after Ali returned to the ring in 1970 and subjected him to race-baiting attacks.
'Thrilla In Manila' Premieres April 11, 2009 on HBO
THRILLA IN MANILA is part of a compelling night of boxing programming that also includes the return of the Emmy(r)-winning HBO Sports reality franchise “24/7″ and an intriguing battle between two of the sport’s most formidable competitors. Debuting at 9:30 p.m. (ET/PT), “Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7″ sets the stage for the May 2 pay-per-view junior welterweight showdown between reigning pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and Ricky Hatton, his engaging British opponent. The 12-round “World Championship Boxing” middleweight bout between Winky Wright and Paul Williams will be seen live from Las Vegas at 10:00 p.m. (ET)/7:00 p.m. (PT).
HBO Documentary Films and HBO Sports Present A Darlow Smithson Production; narrated by Liev Schreiber; produced and directed by John Dower; executive producers, John Smithson and Elinor Day; executive producer for British Channel 4, Andrew Mackenzie; director of photography, Stephen Standen; editors, Nicholas Packer and Kate Spankie.
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I hope this comes out in Blu-ray!
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:06 AM
Check the discussion
http://www.mmaphilippines.net/forum/index.php?topic=11.0
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:11 AM
I was in high school when “thrilla in manila” happened.It seems the philippines was the center of the world during that time.The full match was so exciting from the beginning but pitiful in the end, i believe now for both ,not that particular moment because frazier looks like frozen-still at the later rounds.The entire fight was a boxing classic, specially for Heavy weight division.However that also ends the division’s leaderships in boxing spectacles.
Muhammad Ali and Joe Fraizer optimized the meaning of the word “thrill”.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Looking forward to checking it out!
April 4th, 2009 at 2:15 PM
i was then a baby when THRILLA IN MANILA happens., ive watch the fight so many times ( BETAMAX, VHS,VCD,CD, DVD…. he he he) as if i was in the ringside. ARANETA CENTER ( once the biggest dome in the world, 1969) they immortalized MOHAMAD ALI by building a shopping mall. ALI MALL. i hope MOHAMAD ALI and JOE FRAIZER will visit manila soon….
April 25th, 2009 at 2:38 PM
I watched this EXCELLENT HBO presentation of the Thrilla in Manilla! I was remembering where I was during that fight. It was one of the greatest fights I ever watched. Ali used psycho babble to unhinge his opponents and to convince the world that he is the greatest. And for sure he was, but he finally gave credit to Frazier he too was the greatest for the defeat. Too bad they never reconciled their friendship. Ali was brainwashed by the Islamic extremists. Frazier was always a great guy and proved Ali was just a man. Of the two, Frazier was the better at the end of the day, credit or no credit, going down in history.
Written by:
A lady fan.
April 28th, 2009 at 1:24 AM
Coming from a huge Frazier fan, I saw it live in 75, at the Albany NY Armory, on closed circuit, and it was great. Too bad that loudmouth won, but he was a little better that night. In a perfect world Joe woulda knocked him out before the 11th round, but the world ain’t perfect. But Joe looks a lot better than that clown now, and he doesn’t drool when he talks, like that Ali fool. Heheheheheh……..
May 6th, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Where can I buy this for my dad? he’s an old Boxer and would love this flick. I was 12 years old when I saw the fight. Sometimes Daddy would forget that Im a girl.
Thanks to all that made this documentary happen.
Hugs to you Joe
May 6th, 2009 at 3:14 PM
I don’t believe that the documentary has an official release date as of this moment. But when it does go on sale, I am sure that you will be able to get it directly from the HBO website.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:01 PM
it was a one sided show.joe’s mistress is referred to as his traveling companion
among other blantant biases.the best part was ali’s right hand knocking frazoers mouthpiece into the press row and then at the end of 14 joe quitting on his stool.history will always judge ali the better fighter because he was and he held the title twice as long and had more title defenses.