Prime Video's 'The Greatest' Explores Muhammad Ali's Ascent to Legend Status

Prime Video's new series, "The Greatest," offers an in-depth look at the formative years of Cassius Clay, charting his journey from a promising young boxer to the globally recognized Muhammad Ali. The show, streaming in its entirety on November 4, seeks to explore the qualities that propelled Ali to achieve what others found impossible.

As Malcolm X observes in the series, the core of "The Greatest" lies in understanding the unique spark within Cassius Clay. The series features newcomer Jaalen Best in the role of the young Cassius, portraying a bold boxing phenom determined to become the heavyweight champion and embark on a spiritual path that would redefine his faith and name.

Creator Ben Watkins, known for "Cross," avoids a purely hagiographic portrayal, despite the involvement of Ali's widow, Lonnie Ali, as an executive producer. The series is noted for its careful recounting of Ali's achievements and for conveying the essence of what enabled his greatness. The show is bookended by significant career milestones: the 1960 Rome Olympics, where Clay won gold at 18, and his first heavyweight championship win in 1964 against Sonny Liston. This narrative approach positions the series as tracing how the upstart Cassius Clay evolved into the legend Muhammad Ali, distinct from previous screen portrayals.

Best's portrayal captures a significantly younger Clay, making his self-possession even more remarkable. The series depicts his return to his segregated hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, after the Olympics, where he lives as a teenager in his parents' home. His relationship with his mother, Odessa (Dana Gourrier), a domestic servant who desires a better life for her children, is highlighted, as is his bond with his father, Cash (Omari Hardwick), a sign painter whose artistic dreams were curtailed. His younger brother, Rudy (Kai Parham), also a boxer, supports Cassius's extraordinary talent.

Upon returning from the Olympics, Clay faces renewed experiences of anti-Black racism. As he prepares to turn professional, he is approached by various figures seeking to capitalize on his future. The series touches on underlying prejudices, such as questioning his work ethic despite visible dedication to training. Clay's refusal to work with those who seek to diminish him is presented not as arrogance, but as a clear self-assessment, echoed by trainer Angelo Dundee's sentiment, "You don't teach Michelangelo how to paint."

The series posits three key factors behind Clay's profound self-belief: his innate willpower to ignore doubters, the unwavering love from his mother and brother counteracting external animosity, and his adoption of flamboyant showmanship, influenced by figures like wrestler Gorgeous George. These elements, woven into his behavior rather than explicitly stated, explain how a systemically disadvantaged individual developed such strong conviction.

Clay's distinct personality is contrasted with Sonny Liston (Amin Joseph), portrayed as his antithesis. Liston, an ex-con and abuse survivor, embodies internalized negativity and racist caricatures that Clay actively resists. The series portrays the complex dynamic, showing Clay using similar taunts against Liston, a moment that elicits discomfort by reflecting the media's portrayal.

While "The Greatest" largely adheres to the conventional biographical drama format, it aims to illuminate Ali's journey of self-discovery and value formation. Some stylistic choices, like boxing montages set to hip-hop music, are noted as feeling somewhat artificial. The series also navigates the complexities of Ali's spiritual and political evolution, drawing distinctions between Malcolm X, depicted as a mentor, and Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. The show highlights Clay's choice of the Nation's militancy over Christian teachings, which strains his relationship with his mother, while acknowledging the historical centrality of the Black church to the civil rights movement.

Ultimately, "The Greatest" argues that integrity is the paramount component of greatness, distinguishing key figures like Malcolm X from Elijah Muhammad, Odessa from Cash, Angelo Dundee from opportunistic white businessmen, and most critically, Cassius from Sonny Liston. The series suggests that a hero of Ali's magnitude not only embodies virtue but also demands it from those around him.