CinemaOSMovie · 2008 · 1h 15m · NR

Joe Louis: America's Hero Betrayed

70%(2)IMDbDocumentary

An American story. Traces the career of Joe Louis (1914-1981) within the context of American racial consciousness: his difficulty getting big fights early in his career, the pride of African-Americans in his prowess, the shift of White sentiment toward Louis as Hitler came to power, Louis's patriotism during World War II, and the hounding of Louis by the IRS for the following 15 years. In his last years, he's a casino greeter, a drug user, and the occasional object of scorn for young Turks like Muhammad Ali. Appreciative comment comes from boxing scholars, Louis's son Joe Jr., friends, and icons like Maya Angelou, Dick Gregory, and Bill Cosby.

Directed byOuisie Shapiro

Play
Status
Released
Runtime
1h 15m
Language
EN
Released
February 23, 2008
Studios
HBO Sports

Featuring

Cast & crew

10 credited
Starring
Joe Louis

Joe Louis

Self (archive footage)

Joe Louis Barrow Jr.

Joe Louis Barrow Jr.

Self

Dick Gregory

Dick Gregory

Self

Jack Johnson

Self (archive footage)

Liev Schreiber

Liev Schreiber

Narrator

Randy Roberts

Self

Gerald Early

Gerald Early

Self

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou

Self

Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby

Self

Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter

Self

Creative team
Directed by
Ouisie Shapiro
Written by
Ouisie Shapiro

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