Original subtitles

You are now standing before one of the most

iconic landmarks in the world.

The Roman Colosseum was built with more than one million bricks,

an architectural feat for its time.

Construction would consume the whole of Rome for more than a decade,

and ultimately last longer

than the emperor who conceived it.

Within its vast corridors and towering arches,

it rose as a monument to ambition itself,

built to humble the city below

and glorify the power above.

See if he'll listen to you.

He won't move for me.

At capacity, there were over 50,000

bloodthirsty, screaming spectators in the arena at once.

Citizens of all classes passed through these arches and gathered together.

Emperor Titus would be in the center box,

surrounded by dignitaries,

looking down at the arena floor

where, a thousand years ago, the gladiator stood.

Gee, it's time.

I'm not ready.

Son, you were born ready.

What's wrong?

You see that boy I'm supposed to be fighting?

-Yeah, so what? -He's gonna whup me.

You know that already?

Did you see him?

Gladiators met in one-on-one combat,

not to see who would win or lose,

but who would live or die.

GeeGee, you're ready for this, and you're gonna win.

-How do you know? -'Cause you told me.

You've been telling me since you was a boy, haven't you?

You know who you are, don't you?

What have you been saying since the time you could talk?

Who are you?

Gee, look at me.

Who are you?

I'm the greatest.

Who are you?

I'm the greatest.

Now, make it true.

Cassius Clay lands a flurry of blows in the center of the ring.

He realizes that the only thing standing

between him and the Olympic gold medal

is Ziggy Pietrzykowski.

And he's getting right out after him.

Keep sticking him. Keep sticking him with the jab.

Ten seconds left in this second round.

Ziggy was clearly caught off guard by Clay's speed

and elusiveness in the first round...

Come on, Cass, keep moving.

...but seems to be timing it better now.

Clay won the first round easily, but

things have tightened considerably here in the second.

I would give Clay the edge in this second round as well...

-He is winning, right? -But with the crowd

-behind Pietrzykowski... -That's what it sound like to me.

I wouldn't be surprised if the judges

gave him that second round.

Why is the crowd booing?

Uh, they don't want him to.

It's anybody's fight with one round to go.

Gold medal on the line.

I got that one, right?

Two rounds to none, right?

Don't worry about the score. You're doing great.

But get on the bike for the last one, right?

No. Just give him more of the same.

More of the same.

I don't have more, Ju Ju.

I'm out.

Well, you better find some.

They're not gonna hand you that gold medal out there, Cass.

Look at me.

You want it,

you got to go out there and you take it. You understand?

Gee, it's time.

Who are you?

I'm the greatest.

Now, make it true.

Gold medal round, Cass. The gold medal round.

And there's the bell. The start of the third and final round.

♪ No name, no face ♪

-Go, go, go. -♪ No home ♪

-♪ No place ♪ -Ooh!

A big left hook. Clay is hurt.

♪ I am the ♪

Clay is clearly shaken.

♪ Gladiator ♪

♪ Here to entertain ♪

-♪ Born to bear the pain ♪ -And he looks to take back control.

♪ I can't lose, I can't die ♪

Come on. Let's go, let's go!

-Go, let's go! Get him! -♪ When I win, then I fly ♪

Clay is toying with Pietrzykowski now.

-And there's his famous shuffle. -♪ For how long, I don't know ♪

♪ But I strive for that glow ♪

♪ That fleeting flash in time ♪

♪ when the whole world will know ♪

♪ My name is ♪

There we go. That's what I'm talking about. Right there.

Ten seconds left in this final round.

Clay lands three straight punches.

Get him. Get him. Keep working him. Keep working him.

♪ My name is ♪

That's it. The fight is over.

Now it's up to the judges.

Don't worry about it. Let 'em boo.

Just take it in. Take it all in.

In a few moments, the judges' votes will be tallied,

and the winner will receive amateur boxing's highest award:

the Olympic gold medal.

Guys.

The winner,

by unanimous decision...

Cassius Clay.

Yes, Clay!

Oh! Oh!

-Yeah, baby! -Oh!

-Oh, my God! -Yeah!

We did it, Mama.

Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congrats.

Standing by with a call to Louisville, Kentucky.

Ready to connect?

Yes, ma'am.

One moment.

Hello?

Hello?

Is that my GeeGee?

Is that my champion?

You did it.

It's all right.

I'm so proud of you.

I love you so much.

Let it out, baby. You did it.

Sorry, my feet are a little smaller.

Me and Pepé. I'm-a start growing my mustache out.

You, too. Ciao. Ciao.

Uh, adoro.

Ah.

No, man. No, I can't get up there.

They gonna think I'm crazy.

You keep playing with that,

you're gonna rub the shine off.

Nah, I can't help it.

I still can't believe it's mine.

I can.

I always knew.

I'll be whupping them in the pros, too, Joe.

Okay.

Well, hold on there, big time.

Let's get you back to Louisville first.

Oh. I'm-a need you to get into that new suit before we land.

Coach, you want me to change on the plane?

Soon as we open that door, there's gonna be news cameras

and all kinds of fancy people out there.

Change where?

It's a private charter.

You can change wherever you want.

Man, I'm not about to get in my drawers

in front of all these people I don't even know.

All right, okay.

Cassius...

you need to prepare yourself.

You understand that everything in your life...

I mean everything...

is about to change?

Well, I hope so.

I didn't do all this work over all these years for things to stay the same.

Hey!

There he is. There he is. Cassius!

There's our boy.

Oh.

Yeah. Yeah. Get in there. Come on. Cassius!

Cassius, we're all set for you.

Where's my mama? Mama.

I did it, Bird.

I did it.

Just like you promised, GeeGee.

Welcome home.

Mama, he ain't GeeGee no more.

You got to call him "Champ" now. Ain't that right?

-The Olympic champ. -Yeah, that's right. You know it is, Rudy.

That's my baby. I call him what I want.

What do you say, Pop?

Mm.

I'm proud of you, son.

You did good.

I have to eat my words, Cassius.

Joe says he always knew you'd be champ.

But I have to confess I wasn't so sure.

I mean, I knew you had the skill.

Wasn't sure you had the work ethic.

And, boy, did you prove me wrong, huh?

Yes, sir, Mr. Reynolds. Guess I did.

I'm throwing a party next Saturday.

I'd like you to be the guest of honor.

-Do you think you can make it? -Oh, we'll be there.

Wonderful.

♪ Ooh ♪

I love y'all.

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ You came in late ♪

♪ Eyes like you carry the storm ♪

♪ Coat on your shoulders like you were holding up the sky ♪

♪ You said, I'm tired ♪

♪ Every door feels locked from inside ♪

♪ The weight of the world ♪

♪ can't hold us down now ♪

♪ Oh, no ♪

You stay in here. I got some gifts for y'all.

This one's for you, Rudy.

To my brother.

So she's the most popular artist in Italy.

She's got a song I love.

Where is it?

Which one?

I don't know the name.

I don't understand a word she's saying, but I love it.

Mama, you need to come on.

This one's for both of you.

I told you, I'm getting dinner ready.

Go on, show your father.

All right, Pop, this one's for you.

What you got for me, boy?

Whoa.

Wow.

Oh. That's nice, Daddy.

Junior, where you get the money for this?

Mr. Reynolds.

He said I got the gold medal,

I need to bring something nice back for you and Mama.

Put me up in the fanciest hotel in the city, baby.

You gonna have to pay him back?

Nope.

Said this was his way of saying thank you on behalf of Louisville.

He didn't ask you to sign nothing?

Mm-mm.

Shit.

All this ain't free, Junior.

That man got plans, trust me.

He see you, he see money.

Ain't that what he's supposed to see?

All right, y'all, come on and eat.

Oh, I've been waiting on this one.

Mmm.

Oh, you didn't think it'd be regular old supper, did you?

Mama, I can't remember

the last time you put a spread out like this.

'Cause wasn't no last time.

But then, too, you know, when's the last time somebody in the family made history?

That's what you did for us, Junior.

You put the Clay name on the map.

Yeah.

Thanks, Mama and Daddy.

Let me get your hands.

Oh, man.

Heavenly Father, we come before you today

humbled and grateful for the many blessings

you have showered on this family...

Angelo, is that that Clay kid you keep talking about?

You really think he's got a title in him?

This kid does things I've never seen before.

Not just from a heavyweight, from anyone.

Yeah, you can pretty much walk wherever you want over there.

Eat wherever you want.

I went to church with white people.

Fancy churches, too.

You look up, and the whole ceiling's painted.

Gee.

I might believe in God again.

-Are you serious? -Yeah.

I been thinking about all those nights you were laying right over there,

talking about how you're gonna be the greatest.

I never said nothing, but I always thought you were crazy.

Hmm. You didn't think I could do it?

I was hoping you could, but

now I see somebody was up there listening.

I mean, that must be God, right?

Must be.

I'm gonna be the richest man in Kentucky.

Audrey Thomas is gonna be my girlfriend, and then my wife.

-And I'm-a have a big house. -Yo, you're too young to be talking

-about a wife, man. -I'm-a have a nice car, too.

And a big dog.

Junior, Rudy, time to shut it down.

How'd Mom and Dad do while I was gone?

Seems like he got a little meaner.

What's that mean?

You're back now, and he's got the whole neighborhood

patting him on the back, so...

I bet there's some pretty girls out there in Rome.

I guess.

Pretty as Audrey Thomas?

Man, everywhere you look.

They don't think nothing of coming up to you

when they see something they like, either.

Rudy...

I needed bodyguards to keep those women off of me.

White women?

All colors.

I told you, in Rome, you can be with whoever you want.

They don't keep anybody apart.

And you was fool enough to come back.

It's time.

-Good morning. -Morning, Pop.

Morning, boys.

♪ I deserve it all ♪

♪ Hmm ♪

♪ I deserve it all ♪

♪ Hmm ♪

♪ I deserve it all ♪

♪ I deserve all these flowers ♪

♪ All ♪

♪ All ♪

♪ 'Cause my intentions was pure ♪

♪ Even when you wasn't sure ♪

♪ Even with every allure ♪

♪ How much temptation you endured? ♪

♪ You'd probably look for every cure ♪

♪ I said I deserve it all ♪

♪ I deserve it all ♪

♪ Hmm, I deserve it all ♪

♪ I deserve all these flowers ♪

♪ All ♪

-Hello. -Oh. Hi.

-Hello, sir. Good to see you. -Nice to meet you, Champ.

-Would you like a drink? -Sure.

All right, sir.

Excuse me.

There he is.

My guest of honor.

Now the festivities can begin.

You know, the who's who of Louisville turned out for this party.

Once they found out you were coming,

my phone wouldn't stop ringing.

Well, it's a real pleasure to be here, sir.

Oh, pleasure's all mine.

Please.

♪ Shake 'em up baby ♪

♪ the best jitterbug in town ♪

♪ Yes, my shake 'em up baby ♪

-♪ the best jitterbug in town ♪ -How's it going?

♪ Well, she can shake it up right ♪

♪ She can shake it all upside down ♪

♪ Oh, shake 'em up baby...

I hope you know the whole of Louisville stood still

at 3:00 in the afternoon for your fight.

And you were magnificent.

Now, Cassius, the question on everybody's mind is...

When you going pro, Gee?

I haven't really decided when yet.

Ain't no reason to wait, though.

Ain't that right, Odessa?

That boy done won the Gold Glove, the gold medal.

-Look at that around his neck. -You know it.

-Mm-hmm. -What else they got left in the amateurs?

-It's what they don't got in the amateurs. -What?

Niggas that hit like Floyd.

You think he ready for that?

Yeah. He was born ready. Look at him.

-I made him ready. -Yeah, you did.

That's right. I met Patterson in Rome.

Wait, you met Floyd Patterson?

I sure did.

-How he look in person? -Scared.

What you care how Floyd Patterson look in person?

-Ooh. -Oh.

It ain't like he fighting for the title first day out.

We'll work our way up to old Floyd "Patty-Cake" Patterson.

"Patty-Cake" Patterson.

He got his eyes on a new Cadillac.

But the first thing, we gonna get a house, though.

Ain't no need to get no new Cadillac

we ain't got no new driveway to put it in.

And it ain't gonna be in this neighborhood.

-Why not? -Too much riffraff.

Nigga, you the mayor of the riffraff.

You need to put your faith in someone

you can trust.

Someone who's proven themselves, Cassius.

Someone who's been there for you.

Not someone who's only coming around

because you got that medal hanging around your neck now.

I hear you, Mr. Reynolds.

And that someone is you?

Well, I do believe I fit the definition, don't I?

I've been backing your son since he was in high school.

Putting money in his pocket,

so he wouldn't have to worry about anything but training.

I think Cassius can be one of the all-time greats.

But he needs the right management.

So don't you think we should keep this in the family?

Family don't charge, Mr. Reynolds.

You gonna work for free?

I am a businessman.

I'm not ashamed to say this is an investment.

Look here, Mr. Reynolds. I'm-a shoot it to you straight.

We appreciate everything you done for our boy over the years,

but we're being real careful about who get rich off my son.

Hmm.

Take a look around you, Cash.

I've got all the money I could ever need.

But it's you

and Cassius and your family

who are about to get rich...

if you're smart about it.

How do you like that watch?

-♪ Ba-doobity bob-be-de-bop-de-bop... ♪ -All right, now,

keep paying attention.

-Uh, you see it? -Yeah.

-You see it? -Mm.

-You see it? -Yeah.

Now you don't, huh?

No way. Where'd it go?

You tell me. You were paying attention, right?

The whole time.

The whole time?

Wait, what's that right there?

♪ Got off the trolley, and I looked all around...

What's that?

Right there.

Oh, my dad's gonna kill you for taking his new watch.

-I didn't take it. -Where's your mama at?

You in trouble now. I'm-a get you.

♪ Hoo, yeah, tippity top...

So handsome.

And so well-spoken.

I do believe you could be the next Joe Louis.

I saw him beat Cesar Brion, you know. In person.

-That was the fight in Chicago. -Boy,

could you bring me another one? No olives.

Uh, Vivian, this is Cassius's father,

Cassius Sr.

Well, you must be the proudest darkie in Smoketown.

♪ Or mystic charms...

Mm.

That was a neat trick you did.

Thanks.

I know a few.

There's something I've been wanting to ask you, Cassius.

What's that?

Were you ever scared over there?

When I fought?

Oh, every time.

Why'd you become a boxer, then?

♪ When we walk...

I wanted to be somebody.

I ain't a great ballplayer, and I couldn't sing,

and books were never my thing.

Well, fighting was the only way to make a name for myself.

It's my only shot at greatness.

♪ Well, how else can I explain...

Can I hold it?

Oh, I never take it off.

You lying.

-I ain't lying. Ask anybody. -You shower with it on?

I do everything with it on.

♪ Why do I tell myself ♪

Can I touch it, please?

♪ These things ♪

Mm-hmm.

♪ That happen are all really true ♪

♪ When in my heart...

It's beautiful.

♪ Is my love ♪

♪ for ♪

♪ you ♪

Gee, Coach Stoner out here,

and he brought his sh-shepherd.

Take this to Frank.

I got to win a gold medal.

Soon, there'll be a whole row of books just about you, Cassius.

William Faversham.

Are you a friend of Mr. Reynolds?

Uh, I think that would be a stretch.

How should I put this?

We hate each other.

But our families

go way back, so we're always on each other's guest list.

And you want to be at his party?

I haven't been in this house in ten years.

But when I heard you were coming,

I put my feelings aside.

I'm here to persuade you not to get into business with Billy.

-Hello. -Ah.

-Mr. Clay. -Mm.

It's a pleasure. William Faversham, Jr.

-Pleasure's mine. -Hmm.

Mr. Faversham was just telling me not to sign with Mr. Reynolds.

-Mm. -More specifically,

I wanted to offer an alternative

that I think would be much better for you.

Which is you?

And some friends.

Select friends, fellow businessmen who realize

what a treasure we have here in Cassius.

But we also know that winning a gold medal

doesn't guarantee you a great future.

So the choices you make now

could decide whether you wind up the next Floyd Patterson

or the next Jim Boyd.

Who's Jim Boyd?

That's my point.

William.

Billy.

So glad you could make it.

-Mm-hmm. -Mm.

Cassius, look who else is here.

Oh, hey, Coach.

-How you doing, Cassius? -Hey, I'm doing pretty good.

You're looking good.

What?

What record y'all playing?

Oh, this the number one hit straight from Italy.

Gee brought it back.

Oh. What's she saying?

Uh, she's talking about using the moon to make her skin whiter,

because the whiter you are, the better you are.

What? That's not what she's saying.

-Swear to God. -How you figure that out?

This place downtown, called the library.

Shut up.

I like it.

But can you dance to it?

Girl, I can dance to anything.

Mm.

That's some big talk, Pam.

You gonna back that up?

♪♪-I need a partner.

Mm.

You already on another refill?

Odessa Clay, what'd I tell you about counting my drinks, huh?

Day I picked up that record,

I was on tour with a bunch of Olympians.

They took us around Rome, showing us

pretty paintings and sculptures.

And some of them had been there 400, 500 years.

Standing the test of time.

The tour guide said she was saving the best for last,

And so she took us to see this one painting

called "David with the Head of Goliath."

And I ain't gonna lie, that was the showstopper.

I can't remember the artist, but, uh...

Caravaggio.

Yeah. That's the one.

I said, "This painting nice and all,

but my daddy paint better than that."

Yeah, that's right, Gee.

I don't know about all that.

I do.

Different time, different place...

different color...

I'd-a had a nice run.

You want to make history, son?

If you win two gold medals,

you're one of a kind.

And then, you're still only 22.

That's a perfect age to turn pro.

You want him to go pro at 22?

No. He goes pro now,

he's fighting for the title at 22.

If you push him, Cash, you can get him hurt.

Look, if the choice is go pro,

I'm not getting in the way.

But I do think that Mr. Reynolds is the best choice to manage you.

Why?

'Cause they let you stay on as trainer?

I just want what's best for your son.

Cassius, in my experience,

if you want to get the farthest,

you got to dance with who brung ya.

Now, nobody knows you better or cares more about you than I do.

Not even his own father?

I just, I-I just never trusted him.

He didn't even teach you all the things that made you great. Stoner did that.

Joe's a good coach,

and he's probably right about Mr. Reynolds.

I mean, I like what he had to say about that advance.

What Reynolds ever do for you, huh?

Let you clean his pool,

wash his car a time or two for a little pocket money?

Today the first time you set foot in the main house.

Things are gonna be different now that I got this medal.

It's like a magic key that can unlock anything.

You talking like a fool.

Yeah, you talking like somebody stuck on bitter.

You're only looking at it with your own eyes.

The world sees me different now. Even white folks in Louisville.

Listen to me, son.

You ain't nothing but another thoroughbred to William Reynolds.

Fuck him.

And fuck Joe Martin, too.

♪ One of these days, and it won't be long ♪

♪ You're gonna look for me, and I'll be gone ♪

♪ I believe...

Jab. Jab. Jab. Jab.

♪ One of these days ♪

-♪ and it won't be long ♪ -♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I'm from the home where the buffalo roam ♪

♪ And... don't give a flyin'... ♪

♪ Talk with signs up, walk with the iron tucked ♪

♪ Leave your eyes wide shut ♪

♪ Money bag's on the table, gots to get my cut ♪

♪ Rebel I city slicker, pick up a pretty sister ♪

♪ Dig her out on the table, bent off the Rémy liquor ♪

♪ Head splitter, deliver so cold I send shivers ♪

♪ For many figures, battle the world or any... ♪

♪ One of these days, and it won't be long...

Time!

♪ One of these days, and it won't be long ♪

♪ I got to know ♪

♪ One of these days, and it won't be ♪

You know you don't have to listen to all these people telling you to turn pro.

Not even Cash.

I want to turn pro.

Then you don't have to listen to you, either.

At least, not yet.

Baby, you're too young.

You must never have seen me fight.

You know, I almost didn't let you box at all.

'Cause I know it's all fun and games until it's not.

Me and your daddy found that out one night in Chicago.

We saw a man get killed in the ring.

Sam Baroudi.

-Sam Baroudi? -Mm-hmm.

He wasn't no pushover, Gee.

He was a title contender.

In fact, he beat a man to death in the ring a few years earlier.

-Who killed him? -Ezzard Charles.

-Mm. -Ezzard's not half as good

as Floyd Patterson, and he don't hit near as hard.

That's who you're talking about fighting.

You're not ready.

Your body's not mature enough to be getting in the ring with grown men.

Especially not no heavyweights.

I beat a grown man for this.

Why are you in such a rush?

'Cause I know when I start making that money, I can do stuff for us.

For you.

Change your whole life.

I like my life.

And I don't want you worrying about stuff like that.

You're still a boy, Gee.

My boy. Hmm?

Don't skip the fun part.

Now, come on, help me finish these dishes.

This supposed to be the fun part?

Yeah, spending time with your mama is always the fun part.

Forget how it looks,

this fabric... My goodness.

You can tell it's money.

How much it cost?

Reynolds paid before I could look.

Said if I signed with him, I'd be able to buy the whole store.

It's a nice suit, Gee, but it can't fix that ugly face.

Man, you just jealous.

Don't worry, I'll let you have it

-when I'm done with it. -Hey, son.

Won't look the same on Rudy.

That's tailored just for Junior.

They did a nice job, too.

He's the only one that'll look good on.

Well, that's just the way it should be today.

Now, let's hurry up.

We got to get to this parade. The mayor wants GeeGee to be there early.

Nice.

Need to get this paint off my hands.

I'll meet up with y'all.

Let me see this one.

He still hasn't committed,

and now Faversham is trying to sign him.

Well, we can't let that happen.

Well, of course not.

Everything all right?

Cassius, you know what I had for dinner last night?

Uh, meatloaf?

Nope. A Gold Medal Burger.

-Oh. -The Blue Boar is running a special

in your honor, and I got to say,

it was the best burger I ever had.

Well, I'm-a have to find that out for myself.

Yes, sir.

It's amazing what that medal's been able to do for you, son.

Now imagine what'll happen when you bring home the heavyweight belt.

Oh, man.

You decided if you're going pro?

Well, right now, it's 50-50,

but it's a family decision, and we're still thinking it over.

-Of course. -Gee, you got to come see this.

They out here lining up like it's Thanksgiving.

Oh, man. All these people?

Mr. Clay's still not here?

I'm sure he's close.

Maybe with the traffic and all.

I'd like to help make this

family decision easier for you.

Cassius, Sr. is a sign painter, right?

He paints a lot of things. Signs, buildings, murals.

Do you think he'd like a city job with a steady paycheck?

Uh...

You sign on to have Mr. Reynolds manage you,

I'll get your father hired onto a city painting crew.

Full pension and benefits.

He'll be the first Negro in that position.

Another Clay making history.

How about that?

Excuse me, sir.

We have an issue.

Ah.

Well, folks, I hate to be the bearer of good news,

but we got to get this show on the road.

Cassius Sr. can hop in as we roll past.

Sound good?

That's fine.

He'll catch up. Boys...

♪ It's finger pop, poppin' time ♪

♪ Finger poppin', poppin' time ♪

♪ I feel so good ♪

♪ Whoo ♪

♪ and that's a real good sign ♪

Yeah, what you got? What you got? What you got?

-Come on, come on, come on. -♪ Hey, now, hey, now ♪

♪ Hey, now, hey, now...

Domino, baby. Catch that train.

Follow that. Domino.

♪ Hey, hey, hey, baby ♪

♪ Come along with me ♪

-♪ We're gonna shake it till it break ♪ -Whoo.

♪ Just wait and see, yeah ♪

♪ Hey, now, hey, now ♪

♪ Hey, now, hey, now ♪

♪ It's finger pop...

-Put it on my tab, please. -All right.

-Look, Ma. -♪ Finger poppin' ♪

♪ poppin' time ♪

♪ I feel so good ♪

♪ and that's a real good sign ♪

♪ Here comes Mary, here comes Sue ♪

♪ Here come Johnny and Bobby, too ♪

♪ It's finger pop...

It's real gold. Give me my watch back, nigga.

♪ I feel so good ♪

♪ And that's a real good sign...

Everybody, everybody...

next round is on me.

The mayor of the riffraff!

♪ Hey, now, hey, now ♪

♪ Here comes Mary ♪

♪ here comes Sue ♪

-♪ Here come Johnny and Bobby, too ♪ -I love y'all.

♪ It's finger pop, poppin' time ♪

♪ I feel so good ♪

♪ and that's a real good sign...

Oh! The parade is here, y'all.

Cassius Clay is coming.

Parade is coming, y'all.

♪ Hey, now...

Yeah, you see it, man. You see it.

You're not going out?

I know what he look like.

Pick the right song, you might get yourself a dance partner.

Which one is that?

The next one.

♪ When you touch ♪

♪ my hand and talk sweet talk ♪

♪ I got a knockin' in my knees and a wobble in my walk ♪

♪ And I'm tremblin' ♪

♪ And I'm shakin' ♪

♪ A-when you take me in your arms ♪

-♪ to talk romance ♪ -♪ Romance ♪

♪ My heart starts doin' ♪

♪ the Saint Vitus dance ♪

♪ And I'm pantin' ♪

♪ And I'm shakin' ♪

$5,000.

That's the signing bonus we talked about.

It's all yours...

Once you sign the contract.

I need my dad here, before I sign anything.

Well, we've been waiting on Senior all day.

Where is he?

What's the matter?

You don't know how to sign your own name?

Cash, you back here?

Cash? You home?

He's not here, Mama.

Derby's. Lee speaking.

It's Odessa.

Cash down there?

Yeah. He acting a fool.

I'm about to call the police.

I'm sorry. We're coming right now.

Rudy...

I need you to do me a favor.

♪ Lord knows I try ♪

♪ to do what's right ♪

♪ One whole long year I stayed home ♪

♪ both day and night...

Pops.

♪ Hmm, trouble...

Mama said dinner's getting cold.

-Did he say "mama"? -♪ Way up there ahead of me ♪

Hey, Charlene...

Get your nasty hand off me.

♪ Yes, worries and troubles ♪

♪ Lord, they just...

I'll be there when I get there. Go on home now.

Pop, Mama said don't leave till you leave.

-Boy... -He's right, Cash.

Party's over.

Time to close out.

♪ People talk about me ♪

♪ both night and day ♪

♪ I said, "Lord, please forgive them" ♪

♪ and go the other way ♪

♪ 'Cause I smell a, hmm, trouble ♪

Dinnertime, huh?

Where my turkey dinner?

Odessa?

Sent Rudy up to the bar to get me.

Must be a special occasion.

Not there.

Look here, woman.

You done sent our boy all the way up to the bar...

to get me.

It must be a special occasion.

So where my turkey dinner, Odessa?

You know why I sent our son down to a bar?

Because the bartender said he was gonna call the police.

I should've let them take your raggedy ass to jail.

-Now I'm raggedy. -Mm-hmm.

This should have been the proudest day of your life, and where were you?

Our son getting celebrated by the whole city.

Where's his father?

Hmm? Out in these streets...

getting piss drunk,

making an ass of yourself,

embarrassing your whole fam...

-Oh! -Oh!

Oh.

Oh.

Hey, Bird.

Morning, baby.

-Mmm, Bird's bacon. -Mm-hmm.

I almost signed that contract with Mr. Reynolds

You did the right thing, waiting.

I don't want to talk about it.

Tell me why don't you leave?

And to what?

There's no such thing as perfect, GeeGee.

Once you come to terms with that,

then it's just a question of what you can put up with.

You're the only one putting up with anything.

He's got the perfect wife.

Clean the house, cook, work, keep the kids.

Why are you the only one that has to suffer?

You think your daddy don't suffer?

That man's spent his whole life getting drug by this world.

-Yeah, and what about you? -Drug by this world

and not being able to fight back.

Sometimes, it gets the best of him.

Sometimes he takes it out on me.

Yeah, that's the part I can't excuse.

I don't know why you do.

I'm not excusing anything. I'm just saying,

that's not the kind of thing you leave someone for.

Well, if you're not gonna stop him, I will.

Gee...

Gee, stay out of it.

-He didn't. -Gee...

Gee...

I'm telling you right now, you're gonna stop hitting on my mama.

Or what?

You gonna be dealing with me.

Watch your tone, boy.

You might have won them Olympics,

but I'm still the champ in my house.

Then why you mad?

Bird cooks, keeps the house clean,

keeps your kids, right?

But that ain't enough.

Your son just won a gold medal.

You get to run around town

hopping in and out of bars and barbershops like a VIP,

but that ain't enough?

You still so mad at the world, you got to hit her?

Why you so mad?

You don't know what go down between me and your mama.

This ain't got nothing to do with her.

You're jealous of me, and you took it out on Bird.

-I'm jealous of you? -Yeah.

Everything you have is because of me!

No.

I earned this. You ain't give me shit.

You live under my roof, huh?

You eat my food?

Yeah, I can leave.

And when you do,

you gonna still have my name.

Cassius...

Marcellus...

Clay.

How many times you hear people

around town say, "He just like his daddy"?

Oh, they might say it, but that don't make it true.

I don't smoke. I don't drink. I don't put my hands on women.

Just give it time.

I won't spend my life mad about a dream that never came true.

I'm nothing like you, and I never will be.

And I got the proof hanging around my neck.

This real gold?

Hmm?

You damn dummy.

You're still the same nigger coming home as you were when you left.

♪ I want my money back ♪

♪ I'm down here drowning in your fat ♪

♪ You got me on my knees praying for everything you lack ♪

♪ I ain't afraid of you ♪

♪ I'm just a victim of your fear ♪

♪ You cower in your tower, praying that I'll disappear ♪

♪ I got another plan ♪

♪ One that requires me to stand ♪

♪ on the stage or in the street ♪

♪ Don't need no microphone or beat ♪

♪ And when you hear this song, if you ain't dead, then sing along ♪

♪ Bang and strum to these here drums till you get where you belong ♪

♪ I got a list of demands ♪

♪ written on the palm of my hands ♪

♪ I ball my fist, and you're gonna know where I stand ♪

♪ We're living hand to mouth ♪

♪ You want to be somebody? ♪

♪ See somebody? ♪

♪ Try and free somebody? ♪

♪ Got a list of demands ♪

♪ written on the palm of my hands ♪

♪ I ball my fist, and you're gonna know where I stand ♪

♪ Making believe ♪

♪ That you still love me ♪

♪ It's leaving me alone and so blue ♪

♪ But I'll always dream...

It's him.

-Hey, champ. -Hey, man. How you doing?

Good. I got your burger.

Oh, man. Is it tasty?

Yeah.

What is he doing?

Can I help you?

Uh, yes, ma'am.

I'd like the Gold Medal Burger, please.

Um...

okay.

I-I can take that order down,

and you can go around back and pick it up.

I'd rather just eat it right here.

I'm sorry. We don't serve Negroes in the dining room.

That's fine with me, ma'am. I don't eat Negroes.

♪ Making believe...

Do you know who that is?

That's Cassius Clay.

He won the gold medal.

They had the parade for him.

♪ Making believe ♪

Not sure what you're thinking, boy, but it's time to go.

You want to order, you pick it up outside.

Mm-hmm.

I'm the Olympic champion.

I know who you are.

You realize this is the gold medal you named your special after?

That gold medal

don't make you white.

-What? -Turn around, Stan.

And we don't serve niggers in this establishment.

Now...

you can leave yourself, or...

I can call the police,

watch them drag you out.

You be careful, boy.

Louisville's favorite son,

Cassius Clay, makes it official.

He will be turning pro.

I get this feeling inside,

all the time, like a tidal wave.

I want to be somebody.

Fighting is my only shot at greatness.

I'm gonna be the youngest heavyweight champion ever.

You washed and scrubbed your whole life to get us here.

Don't you want a better life?

Of course I want a better life.

For you.

You have been through three trainers.

This ain't just about your future, it's about ours.

'Cause I know I can be something better.

I'm proud of you, Gee.

Cassius, the things you do in the ring...

it's magic. You're an artist.

And you don't teach Michaelangelo how to paint.

You give him a paintbrush,

and you get out of the way.

One day, the whole world will know my face and my name.

When you get to where you're going, make a difference.

Who's looking out for your mojo?

Bad mojo end your career, quicker than a bolt of lightning.

Another knockout for Cassius Clay!

I'm fast, strong and pretty.

And I can't be beat!

This here is Sonny Liston,

heavyweight champion.

Liston ain't got nothing on me.

Big, ugly bear!

They tried to tell you you'd never get here.

But look at you now.

Fighter like you comes along once in a lifetime.

You're gonna get your chance at the belt.

Yeah, not soon enough.

Listen, do you want to be the youngest...

or do you want to be the greatest?

America has a very serious problem. Our people have a very serious problem.

I want to help my community, my race.

And the things you say?

I've been waiting to hear that since I was 13 years old.

That's how old I was when Emmett Till was murdered.

Get your boy to publicly denounce those Black Muslims,

or the fight is off.

If you turn your back on Jesus,

you may as well be turning your back on me.

I was proud you grew up stronger than me.

You are on the verge of being able to deliver

the message to the entire world.

But only if you become heavyweight champion.

You're gonna shut down the entire title fight

because of your principles!

Cassius, you're not exactly what we hoped for.

A fighter with a conscience.

Every time you stepped into the ring,

you're fighting for the people.

That's what it means to be great.