Thriller in Manila

Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali fought three times. Their first encounter aroused such anticipation it was dubbed the ""fight of the century"" before either boxer entered the ring. But it was their third and final confrontation on October 1, 1975, in the Philippines, that cemented their rivalry as one of history's greatest. By the late rounds, the fight had become “a contest of pure will” with both men on the verge of collapse. That moment—when a fight becomes more important than life and death—explains both the romance and the sickness of the sport. It wasn’t a fight for a belt; it was a war. What’s remarkable about Thriller in Manila is how dramatically it conveys both the depths of this rivalry as well as the complex racial politics of the time. Using extensive archival footage and interviews (from cornermen in both camps, biographers, journalists, and Frazier himself), director John Dower tells the story from Frazier’s point of view, clearly finding in him not only an unsung hero but a counterpoint to Ali’s mystique. Though Ali famously disparaged all his opponents, Dower argues that his verbal taunting of Frazier was particularly vicious, racially charged, and a betrayal of their onetime friendship.Thriller in Manila reminds us that to be captivated by a great sporting event is to be captivated by a great story. Surely this is both.
CAST

John Dower - Horse Bobbyjo's win in the 1999 Grand National kick-started John Dower's documentary filmmaking career. With his winnings, he was able to buy a digital camera and start shooting what was to become his first documentary, When Will I Be Famous. He went on to make a series of landmark films for Britain's Channel-4, such as Porn in the UK, John's Gone to Iceland, and the cult hit Sneaker Freaks. In 2003 he completed his first feature-length documentary, Live Forever.

Screenings:

Fri. Jan 16 8:30 p.m. - THRIL163N Holiday Village Cinema III, Park City
Sat. Jan 17 11:30 a.m. - THRIL17PD Prospector Square Theatre, Park City
Sat. Jan 17 9:00 p.m. - THRIL17BN Broadway Centre Cinemas VI, SLC
Wed. Jan 21 11:59 p.m. - THRIL214L Holiday Village Cinema IV, Park City