Prime Video's new scripted series, "The Greatest," chronicles the formative years of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay. The drama spans the period from his 1960 Olympic gold medal victory in Rome to his 1964 win against Sonny Liston for the heavyweight championship.
The series, created by Ben Watkins, explores Ali's journey as he navigates his rise in the boxing world, his religious conversion to Islam, and the racial injustices he faced as a Black athlete in the Jim Crow South. The narrative begins with Clay's triumph at the Rome Olympics and his return to Louisville, Kentucky. His father, Cassius Clay Sr., focuses on his son's professional boxing future, while Clay Jr. grapples with the realities of racism despite his Olympic success.
"The Greatest" depicts key moments in Clay's life during this period, including his association with trainer Angelo Dundee and his growing involvement with Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. The show attempts to frame Ali's ascent within the context of the civil rights movement, addressing the challenges he encountered as a burgeoning professional.
Actor Jaalen Best portrays the young Cassius Clay, capturing his developing showmanship. The series also features Omari Hardwick as Cassius Clay Sr. and Dana Gourrier as Clay's mother, Odessa "Bird" Clay.
While the series aims to dramatize Ali's complex history, reviews suggest that some narrative simplifications and dramatizations occur. One notable scene, where a disillusioned Clay reportedly throws his Olympic medal into a river after being denied service at a diner, is presented as fitting the narrative, though historical accounts of the event vary, and Ali's own recollections changed over time.
Despite perceived simplifications, the performances by Best, Hardwick, and Gourrier have been noted as strengths. "The Greatest" is recommended for streaming, offering a look at Ali's early career and the societal forces that shaped him. The series is available on Prime Video.