film review by Annie Vinton @ Film Monthly
Thrilla in Manila on HBO
(2009)
by Annie Vinton
Thrilla in Manila – A Thrilla for All.
My Take: Take a ringside seat – a “must see” for all, not just boxing fans.
Premiers on HBO Saturday, April 11th 8pm ET
You’ll want to pull up a ringside seat for Thrilla in Manila, another great HBO production that will warrant non-subscribers to order this cable service for the premier on April 11th at 8pm ET. The title, slightly varying from what the final fight between Frazier and Ali was originally coined, “Thriller in Manila” captures more than the historic boxing match – it delves into betrayal between two friends and complex race relations of the 1970’s.
Lively characters like Ali’s doctor, Dr. Ferdie Pacheco and one of the last living members from Frazier’s corner, Georgie Benton, are not interviewed together but [Director John] Dower cleverly strings their conversations together to tell the story. Moments woven in between the audience are sure to remember include Frazier watching footage of the final fight for the first time since 1975, after much cajoling from Dower. It’s a one camera shot of him sitting in a chair in a dark room and he’s heard coaching the TV, “Get closer, get closer!” Frazier felt that he should not have given Ali the room that he did and less “breathing room” could have made a difference in the battle. What also is revealed is that Frazier boxed a few of the rounds virtually blind.
Another moment most will probably be surprised to see is Ali speaking at a KKK rally, reminding us all of Ali’s influence and power outside of the ring and his views on race relations in the ‘70’s. As Pacheco described, these two fighters were “caught in the battle of the soul of Black America.”
Although the centerpiece of Thrilla in Manila highlights one of the most historical boxing bouts, it’s a story for non-boxing fans too. Frazier’s hope is that those watching can get a true of understanding of his relationship with Ali and what they were to each other, not just what was created in the media.
Annie Vinton Annie Vinton is a freelance writer and film critic living in NYC. You can read more about her and her writing at her blog here.