Jack Johnson (1970)
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | Jack Johnson |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1970 |
| length | 88 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Jim Jacobs |
| script | Alan Bodian |
| production | William Cayton |
| music | Miles Davis |
| camera | Lawrence Garinger |
| cut | John Dandre |
Jack Johnson is an American documentary film released in 1970 .
action
The life of the black heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson is dealt with with photographs and newsreel footage. Johnson started his sport in the early 20th century. In 1908 he won the world heavyweight championship against Tommy Burns in Australia . In 1910, he beat James J. Jeffries in the “Battle of the Century” . Johnson competes against racing car driver Barney Oldfield. In 1915 he was defeated by Jess Willard in a scandalous battle in Havana .
After his boxing career, Johnson's life has been tumultuous. He marries three white women one after the other. In Chicago he is arrested and sentenced for debauchery. Johnson flees to Europe and later voluntarily returns to the United States to serve his sentence in Leavenworth Federal Prison . In Russia he meets Rasputin , in Spain he makes his way as an amateur bullfighter. Back in the USA, Johnson works in Hollywood in small feature films. In the 1930s, he is the star for a flea circus in Manhattan . In 1946, Jack Johnson died in a car accident.
criticism
AH Weiler of the New York Times described the film as surprisingly lively and fascinating, and praised the meticulous composition of the footage.
Even Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times the film certifies fascination, but he complained that the filming does not necessarily fathom the people Jack Johnson. One is left alone with the figure of public life.
Awards
In 1971 the film was nominated for an Oscar in the category Best Documentary .
background
The film premiered on July 25, 1970 in Detroit .
Jim Jacobs and William Clayton had previously worked on two documentaries about boxers, including a. for Legendary Champions (1968).
According to a report in the Daily Variety , the film inspired writer Howard Sackler to write his play The Great White Hope , which was filmed in 1970 by Martin Ritt with James Earl Jones .
Actor Brock Peters gave Jack Johnson his voice.
The soundtrack comes from the album A Tribute to Jack Johnson , which Miles Davis recorded in early 1970.
Web links
- Jack Johnson in the Internet Movie Database (English)