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IMDbPro

Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali

  • 2021
  • PG-13
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X in Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali (2021)
Blood Brothers tells the extraordinary and ultimately tragic story of the friendship between two of the most iconic figures of the 20th century: Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer of all time, and Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam's - and black America's - most incendiary and charismatic leader.
Play trailer2:23
1 Video
10 Photos
BiographyDocumentaryHistorySport

From a chance meeting to a tragic fallout, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali's extraordinary bond cracks under the weight of distrust and shifting ideals.From a chance meeting to a tragic fallout, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali's extraordinary bond cracks under the weight of distrust and shifting ideals.From a chance meeting to a tragic fallout, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali's extraordinary bond cracks under the weight of distrust and shifting ideals.

  • Director
    • Marcus A. Clarke
  • Writers
    • Randy Roberts
    • Johnny Smith
  • Stars
    • Ilyasah Shabazz
    • Rahman Ali
    • Cornel West
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    1.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Marcus A. Clarke
    • Writers
      • Randy Roberts
      • Johnny Smith
    • Stars
      • Ilyasah Shabazz
      • Rahman Ali
      • Cornel West
    • 8User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
    • 69Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:23
    Official Trailer

    Photos9

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    Top cast32

    Edit
    Ilyasah Shabazz
    Ilyasah Shabazz
    • Self - Daughter of Malcolm X
    • (as Ilyasah Al-Shabazz)
    Rahman Ali
    Rahman Ali
    • Self - Muhammad Ali's Younger Brother
    Cornel West
    Cornel West
    • Self - Political Activist, Professor at Harvard University
    • (as Dr. Cornel West)
    Todd Boyd
    Todd Boyd
    • Self - Professor of Cinema and Media Studies at USC
    • (as Dr. Todd Boyd)
    May May
    May May
    • Self - Muhammad Ali's Eldest Daughter
    • (as Maryum Ali)
    Al Sharpton
    Al Sharpton
    • Self - Civil Rights Activist, Politician
    • (as Rev. Al Sharpton)
    Elijah Muhammad
    Elijah Muhammad
    • Self - Leader of the Nation of Islam 1934 - 1975
    • (archive footage)
    Herb Boyd
    Herb Boyd
    • Self - Professor, Co-Editor of 'The Diary of Malcolm X'
    Marcus Garvey
    Marcus Garvey
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Julius W. Garvey
    • Self - Son of Marcus Garvey
    • (as Dr. Julius W. Garvey)
    Earl Little
    • Self - Malcolm X's Father
    • (archive footage)
    Bob Coleman
    • Self - Muhammad Ali's Childhood Friend
    Gene Kilroy
    Gene Kilroy
    • Self - Muhammad Ali's Friend, Business Manager
    Johnny Smith
    • Self - Co-Author of 'Blood Brothers'
    Melchisedek Shabazz-Allah
    • Self - Universal High Priest of the Nation of Islam, On Earth and in the Universe
    • (as Melchisedek Supreme Shabazz-Allah)
    A. Peter Bailey
    A. Peter Bailey
    • Self - OAAU Founding Member, Journalist, Professor
    Randy Roberts
    Randy Roberts
    • Self - Co-Author of 'Blood Brothers'
    Jerry Izenberg
    Jerry Izenberg
    • Self - Hall of Fame Sports Journalist
    • Director
      • Marcus A. Clarke
    • Writers
      • Randy Roberts
      • Johnny Smith
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews8

    6.91.2K
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    Featured reviews

    7mikeiskorn

    Great Documentary

    This wasn't as boring as some people have been saying. I for one thought it was very well put together, informative and showed the contrast between these two huge figures. The ups, down and everything in between. I know there are a lot of other documentaries about these two but if you're looking for an interesting documentary, look no further.
    418Buddha

    Inspirational movie yes but boring

    I understand that these people were inspirational and all that but this documentary was very boring. I had to fast forward it during many many scenes cause it was honestly putting me to sleep.

    I found it fascinating to learn about these famous historical people but maybe its just how this documentary was produced n created it just screamed boring at you. It would be nice if they had added a fun narrator with energy and liveliness i guess?
    9mertyasinsamed-83030

    Great doc, 1 thing missing though

    Great documentary. As a muslim, it hurt me seeing all those people fall into the cult of the self proclaimed messenger Elijah Muhammad. The nation of islam was a cult, and its leader was a weak, insecure and perverse person who manipulated Ali and Malcolm X for his own ego and power. Seeing him talk, with his inflated ego, made my blood boil. That man abused islam for his own benefit, he took something pure and created from it something as vile and dirty as the nation of islam, and for that I will not forgive him.

    The thing I would have liked to see more of, however, was Malcolm X's journey to Mecca. On this journey he encountered many things that conflicted with his own vision of the world, and apart from his bravery and confidence, Malcolm's most admirable quality in my eyes was his willingness to overthrow his ideologies and adapt his beliefs to the world he saw; a world that became clear for him on his journey to Mecca. This is where Malcolm's part as an intellectual truly rises. He doesn't cling onto his ideologies when it's the easier thing to do; he could have made it big were he to stick with the nation of islam. But he chooses not to, purely for his own moral reasons. That's greatness.

    I am sure Ali saw through the lies as well, but to him boxing came first at the time, and he probably didn't want the same happening to him as happened with Malcolm. It still hurt to see him talk about his friend like that.

    Just like Malcolm X, Ali saw his beliefs in the nation of islam challenged and changed after his journey to Mecca, where he met other muslims. I find it fascinating that both of these giants had their eyes opened after the exact same spiritual journey. In a way I find it beautiful and tragic, that Ali had the same realisations because of the same events, only to be too late. I wish the documentary focused more on all of this.
    8kosmasp

    Fighting ... together?

    I have to admit, while individually I knew things about both those icons, I was not too aware on their shared (his)story. So while others, you(?), may already be in an advantage considering the focus of this documentary, I don't think it was bad not knowing much. I had quite a few moments during the movie, that felt ... well a lot of feelings actually that I went through. And I reckon the same will be true for you.

    Sometimes you wonder, why or how some people who are/were meant to be together, help each other out, have issues with each other. So this is not just some good feel thing you are about to watch. A lot of animosity, a lot of other things will come forth. Again, you may be aware of many of them (or most of them), but it is really well told and edited. It makes sense for those not too aware of circumstances ... like myself.
    8ska-54519

    Inspiring but emotive and sad.. a taste of past revolutionary times

    I really enjoyed this. I just wish it had been longer and with even more details.

    Both Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X are inspiring figures. Ali is like a sports jock with the muscles to push the ideas forward, and Malcolm is a true intellectual who was the first to question Elijah's authority. What a hero Malcolm is to pay for his life knowing the risk he was under for criticising the fervour of the Black Muslims' devotion to false messenger Elijah. There was a review blaming religion. No, the problem was the cult of Nation of Islam. The religion of Islam actually enlightened Malcolm X to treat all people, white or black, as equal in brotherhood despite his previous experiences of being marginalised as a black man in America. Religion is what inspired Malcolm to fight for higher ideals of justice and truth, rather than the usual pursuits that people like to go after of money, fame and accolade. He risked his life for what he believed in.

    Appreciating the true revolutionaries of the past helps to put the present situation into perspective. More like this please Netflix..

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    • Release date
      • September 9, 2021 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Netflix
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • أخوّة الدم: مالكوم إكس ومحمد علي
    • Production companies
      • Khalabo Ink Society
      • Lightbox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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