Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali

The documentary "Gangs of New York" director, 2013's "The Italian Storm", director Michael Timothy's documentary film 'Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali' delves into the complexities of the relationship between Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali. The film takes the viewer on a journey, exploring how the two icons went from being closely associated and admired friends to a dramatic and heart-wrenching break-up. In the early 1960s, a mutual acquaintance of theirs introduced the duo to each other at a fight press conference. What unfolded was an instant connection and mutual respect between the boxer Muhammad Ali and the civil rights leader Malcolm X. Over time, both men developed great admiration for one another. Malcolm X saw the boxer as a symbol of African-American excellence, and Muhammad Ali revered Malcolm X as a powerful voice for civil rights. Their friendship continued to blossom as they attended civil rights meetings together in the South and advocated for justice. When Malcolm X started to express his views more strongly, Muhammad Ali and many of the civil rights leaders grew concerned that he was going down a dangerous path. Malcolm X, who was at this time still affiliated with the Nation of Islam, started to openly call for armed self-defense, which many saw as a shift towards radicalism. Ali had long been inspired by Malcolm X's determination, conviction, and unwavering dedication to fighting for justice for African-Americans. Despite sharing the same values of wanting to bring about change, Ali found himself increasingly worried about Malcolm X's methods and their growing radicalization. He couldn't help but wonder whether it would be feasible for civil disobedience to be effectively utilised in their struggles. However, Malcolm X's more unyielding views made him even more resolute in his approach, much to the dismay of Ali. As the documentary highlights, the split came to a head when Ali decided to leave the Nation of Islam. This made Malcolm X furious, believing that Ali had abandoned the principles of the group after he had finally achieved significant success. Ali, while still a loyal friend, found it increasingly challenging to reconcile with Malcolm X's more violent and militant approach. Their friendship, which had once stood at the forefront, started to fray. Malcolm X felt betrayed by Ali for his refusal to adopt more forceful tactics and instead, choose the path of non-confrontation. In a tragic twist, Malcolm X himself was killed in 1965. Muhammad Ali had been deeply distraught at the news, and his heartbreak seemed to solidify a long-standing friendship into a bond more meaningful and profound. However, years later, he could not help but be reminded of their friendship by the tragic series of events that unfolded with a similar path that Malcolm X had been heading down after his departure from the Nation of Islam. Throughout the documentary, Ali's remorse is echoed through reflections of those closest to him. They speak of the turmoil that he had endured throughout his life, grappling with feelings of guilt, pain and regret for his inability to prevent Malcolm X's eventual demise. His anguish only intensified as the reality of Malcolm X's fate became clear. Ali's transformation from a young boxer with no real understanding of the civil rights movement to a seasoned and deeply troubled activist was in large part fueled by Malcolm X. His death had sent deep roots into the cracks that had been slowly forming between the two. In a tragic and unforeseeable turn of events, Ali himself found himself ostracized for speaking out against the Vietnam War. While it's impossible to know how their association would have played out had Malcolm X not been assassinated, it's clear that Ali's decision to leave the Nation of Islam and speak out against the Vietnam War further intensified his connection to the principles Malcolm X represented. In the years following, Ali often found himself haunted by the memory of their friendship and by a painful awareness of what could have, but would never be, due to the senseless violence that took Malcolm X's life. Ultimately, this poignant film tells the story of a relationship between two complex figures with irreconcilable convictions that, as so often in history, was left broken and unfulfilled, but still offers valuable insight into the complexities that can unfold even when we're driven by common ideals.