Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

[Pappy Knuckles]

Long before Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier, boxer Jack Johnson became the first African-American to obtain the world title.

I just wanted to recommend this documentary to anyone who hasn't already seen it. I didn't know very much about Jack Johnson beforehand, but I found the whole thing fascinating. Not only did I learn a lot about his life in and outside of the ring, I also got a history lesson about boxing during those times. I had this sitting in my Netflix queue for a while and I'm glad that I finally sat down to check it out.

[catcatch22]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

I actually saw this when it was first aired on PBS. Execellent documentary, very thorough and quite long but you will not regret watching it.

[Bamtino]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

I also saw it when it first aired on PBS...

PBS always does an outstanding job with these documentaries and i wish they would do more boxing stuff...

It's an excellent documentary not only on the life Jack Johnson but boxing itself...As far as im concerned it is required viewing for every boxing fan...

[grunt]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

You can watch it on NETFLIX on the 360.

[JayBee74]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

Fantastic sports documentary-every second enjoyable.

[Stumbleweed]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

Thanks for the heads-up on this, I'll be checking it out soon on Netflix instant watch.

[Money99]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

"Ring Of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story" is also a great documentary.

[allBthere]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

I have these old VHS tapes about the "greats" of boxing. I have great rivalries as well as Joe Louis, Rocky, Sugar Ray Robinson, Jack Dempsy, and "the heavyweights" and the "middleweights"

Jack Johnson is in a few of those, and one fight he knocks at least 3 of the others guys teeth out with a punch and they stick into his glove, so he casually brushes them off with his other glove. Footage is amazing from back then because it really was a different world.

[JayBee74]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

I have these old VHS tapes about the "greats" of boxing. I have great rivalries as well as Joe Louis, Rocky, Sugar Ray Robinson, Jack Dempsy, and "the heavyweights" and the "middleweights"

Jack Johnson is in a few of those, and one fight he knocks at least 3 of the others guys teeth out with a punch and they stick into his glove, so he casually brushes them off with his other glove. Footage is amazing from back then because it really was a different world.

The teeth knocking out was done to middleweight champion Stanley Ketchel. Ketchel had floored Johnson the previous round, and apparently broke an agreement to take the fight 20 rounds and let Johnson win in the 20th. The reason for the agreement was the longer fight would have more fans paying for replay.

[dorismary]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

I actually saw this when it was first aired on PBS. Execellent documentary, very thorough and quite long but you will not regret watching it.

Me too great stuff also see a great movie with James earl jones from the 60s as Jack , shocking to see the shape darth vader was in for that role I highly recommend it

[jmood88]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

I didn't know it was for sale, I missed it when it was on tv so I'll be getting this as soon as possible.

[JayBee74]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

I didn't know it was for sale, I missed it when it was on tv so I'll be getting this as soon as possible.

It is also available on DVD, assuming you didn't know that.

[grunt]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

Mike Tyson documentry is on netflix /xbox 360.

[pk500]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

Mike Tyson documentry is on netflix /xbox 360.

Worth every second of viewing. One of the most compelling films I saw in 2009.

[Pappy Knuckles]

Re: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

Worth every second of viewing. One of the most compelling films I saw in 2009.

Ditto. Excellent film.