Independent Lens

Season 15

Episode 16: The Trials of Muhammad Ali

Recalling a formative period in Muhammad Ali's life, the mid-1960s, when he embraced the Nation of Islam, changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali and refused induction into the Army (and possibly being sent to Vietnam). The latter led to the toughest bout of his life: fighting to overturn a prison sentence he received for draft evasion. Included: remarks from his brother Rahman; ex-wife Khalilah Camacho-Ali; journalist Robert Lipsyte; and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.