Soul Power

Arguably the most famous boxing match of all time, originally the Rumble in the Jungle was intended as the centrepiece of a larger celebration of African identity: a three-day festival of music, sport and black pride. Problems in pre-planning meant that the fight was delayed by six weeks, but the event – featuring stars like James Brown and Bill Withers alongside homegrown acts like Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela – went ahead as planned.

Jeffrey Levy-Hinte’s long overdue documentary was culled from the same footage that produced 1996’s ‘When We Were Kings’, but it’s more than just a companion piece to that Oscar-winning classic. As a historical document, it’s riveting, both as a peek into the heart of dusty, restless 1970s Africa and into the lives of a group of legendary musicians embarking on an uncertain mission. And as a concert film it’s unparalleled: a stunningly photographed, soul-stirring celebration.