This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/11/2001.
While the big-budget movie version of Muhammad Ali's apocalyptic life coming this fall will star Will Smith, those who believe that no mere mortal could portray the man who "shook up the world" will find far more meaning in this original movie poster that accompanied the low-budget 1977 Columbia release "The Greatest." Ali himself recreates his rise to become the only fighter ever to regain the heavyweight crown, with the detour of his 3-year enforced layoff after resisting induction into the military. Although Ali may not have been world's "greatest" actor, the film, co-starring Ernest Borgnine as trainer Angelo Dundee and with cameos by Robert Duvall and James Earl Jones, was praised for honestly telling the story. The color poster stands 26 1/3" x 39 ½" and is set under glass in a 30 ½" x 43 ½" good-condition wood frame. The background color of the poster is brown, with the title and the words "The story you only think you know" in black lettering. The phrase "Winner, loser, lover, loudmouth...THE MAN" is repeated down the back, behind an illustrated image of Ali, towel around his shoulders, looming over scenes from the movie and the cast and credits. The poster is in excellent condition, though it has three fold marks, one across Ali's face.