Joe Louis: America's Hero Betrayed
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.
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Cast
Joe Louis
Self (archive footage)
Joe Louis Barrow Jr.
Self
Dick Gregory
Self
Jack Johnson
Self (archive footage)
Liev Schreiber
Narrator
Randy Roberts
Self
Gerald Early
Self
Maya Angelou
Self
Bill Cosby
Self
Jimmy Carter
Self
Paul Schulder
Self
Lester Rodney
Self