The Trials of Muhammad Ali, Q&A, Prince Charles Cinema

This 2013 documentary tells the tale of Muhammad Ali’s battle to overturn a five-year prison sentence for refusing to fight in Vietnam. After refusing the draft, claiming to be a conscientious objector, Ali faced jail time and an uphill struggle to regain his boxing license when initially found guilty. With the feeling that he was being discriminated against on the grounds of race and religion, public opinion slowly began to turn in Ali’s favour. The film draws the focus away from Ali’s in-ring career, and onto the struggles that took place beyond it described by director Bill Siegel as a, “woefully under-regarded part of Ali’s life.”

This isn’t so much the story of a sporting superstar as it is an original take upon a period of extraordinary political and cultural conflict.

Bill Siegel has the experience to make a film touching on such sensitive topics as race, religion, and wartime dissent work, having directed the 2002 tale of radical political activism The Weather Underground.

The Prince Charles Cinema has achieved a cult reputation amongst fans as the only independent cinema in the West End, and will be hosting a Q&A to enrich the viewing experience of The Trials of Muhammad Ali.

Hosted by boxing promoter Spencer Fearon, the panel will include The Sun  boxing columnist Colin Hart, former WBO cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson, and broadcaster Ronald Mcintosh. With decades of experience in the world of boxing between them, all of the panellists are passionate about their subject matter having had their own lives and careers shaped by that of Muhammad Ali. Both The Trials of Muhammad Ali  and the Q&A will change the way you think about not only the greatest boxer of all time but also the wider political context of his life.