A Black champion boxer and his white female companion struggle to survive while the white boxing establishment looks for ways to knock him down.A Black champion boxer and his white female companion struggle to survive while the white boxing establishment looks for ways to knock him down.A Black champion boxer and his white female companion struggle to survive while the white boxing establishment looks for ways to knock him down.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 2 wins & 8 nominations total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRedd Foxx, who knew former heavyweight champ Jack Johnson, whose career and struggle against racism inspired the original play, turned down a role in the film as he believed it was not a true picture of his old friend.
- GoofsIn the first scene in which we see Jefferson practicing, the sweat on his shirt changes from shot to shot in a way that wouldn't be predicted by evaporation.
- Quotes
Reporter: Now you're the first Black man in the history of the ring who's ever had a crack at the heavyweight title. Now white folks, of course, are behind Brady. He's the redeemer of the race and so on. But you, Jack Jefferson, are you the Black hope?
Jack Jefferson: Well, I'm Black and I'm hopin'.
Goldie: Answer him straight, Jack.
Jack Jefferson: Hey, look, man, I ain't fighting for no race, I ain't redeeming nobody. My mama told me *Mr. Lincoln* done that. Ain't that why you shot him?
- Crazy creditsThe 20th Century Fox logo appears without the fanfare.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Loving Story (2011)
- SoundtracksLet Me Hold You In My Arms Tonight
Written and Performed by Jesse Fuller
- How long is The Great White Hope?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $8,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 43 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1