Joe Louis: America's Hero... Betrayed 2008

Synopsis:

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.

Directed by: Ouisie Shapiro
Written by: Ouisie Shapiro
Release date: 2008-02-23
Runtime: 75 minutes
Cast:
Joe Louis
Joe Louis
Himself (archive footage) 
Joe Louis Barrow Jr.
Joe Louis Barrow Jr.
Himself 
Dick Gregory
Dick Gregory
Himself 
Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson
Himself (archive footage) 
Liev Schreiber
Liev Schreiber
Narrator 
Randy Roberts
Randy Roberts
Himself