
Joe Louis: America's Hero Betrayed
Overview
An American story. Traces the career of Joe Louis (1914-1981) within the context of American racial consciousness: his difficulty getting big fights early in his career, the pride of African-Americans in his prowess, the shift of White sentiment toward Louis as Hitler came to power, Louis's patriotism during World War II, and the hounding of Louis by the IRS for the following 15 years. In his last years, he's a casino greeter, a drug user, and the occasional object of scorn for young Turks like Muhammad Ali. Appreciative comment comes from boxing scholars, Louis's son Joe Jr., friends, and icons like Maya Angelou, Dick Gregory, and Bill Cosby.
Top Cast

Joe Louis
Self (archive footage)

Joe Louis Barrow Jr.
Self

Dick Gregory
Self
Jack Johnson
Self (archive footage)

Liev Schreiber
Narrator
Randy Roberts
Self

Gerald Early
Self

Maya Angelou
Self

Bill Cosby
Self

Jimmy Carter
Self
Paul Schulder
Self
Lester Rodney
Self
Key Film Crew
Production Stats
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