Prime Video's The Greatest follows Muhammad Ali's early adulthood, with Jaalen Best playing the boxer while he was still known as Cassius Clay. Variety reported that all eight episodes premiered on November 4. Ben Watkins created the series in collaboration with Ali's estate.
Family and boxing shape the drama
The story opens at the 1960 Rome Olympics, when Clay is 18, and follows the next four years as he turns professional. It includes his work with trainer Angelo Dundee, friendship with Malcolm X and 1964 victory over Sonny Liston.
The series also spends time at home in Louisville. Dana Gourrier plays Odessa Clay, Omari Hardwick portrays Cassius's father and Kai Parham plays his brother Rudy.
Family scenes sit alongside the racial segregation of the period. The dramatic portrayal connects the young athlete's relationships and beliefs with his growing sporting career.
Review highlights performance and production
Variety's reviewer praised Best's physical presence, vocal rhythm and performance, as well as Gourrier and Hardwick's work. The review valued the attention given to life outside the ring.
Giovanni Ribisi plays Dundee, Michael Ealy portrays Malcolm X and Amin Joseph appears as Liston. Michael B. Jordan and Shawn Jay-Z Carter are executive producers.
The review also discussed cinematography by Stuart Campbell and Jeremy Benning and a soundtrack mixing period material with contemporary artists. It found some black-and-white passages overstated while remaining positive overall.
The eight-episode release adds another screen interpretation of Ali, concentrating on experiences surrounding his rise to the heavyweight title.