"Ali" 2001 - Opening Scene (Will Smith) 

Best opening scene in cinematic history imo. It's perfect. Powerful, deep and entertaining.

I’ve been coming back to this video since I was 18. I’m 32 now and still can’t get enough of this opening scene. ❤❤❤

The Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square' performance that this is taken from is absolutely phenomenal.

My guess is that this is studied in film schools. Absolute masterpiece of editing, acting, weight, and seriousness. This intro is the best movie opening of all time in my book. Excitement, passion, anticipation, anger, and a little bit of pain - all set to completely epic music by Sam Cooke that gives me nails-down-the-back goosebumps. This short clip isn’t the whole movie, but the craftsmanship of these 9 minutes should entice anyone to watch the whole thing. This is a REALLY exciting opening to an amazing movie.

"Born on a doorstep with a note across my chest that read, 'You do the best you can for him, world.'" LOVE that line.

Will Smith really put his heart and soul into this movie. His best performance ever methinks.

This opening of Ali remains pure cinema perfection.

The way Malcolm X said "again" sent chills through my body. 4:50

The taxi scene at 7:56 sends chills down my spine. The photographer's camera fixed at Ali, the expression on the photographer's face is almost in awe... Like everyone in that cab knows something historic is about to happen. The flow of the scene and the million-mile gaze from Ali translates to me he's staring through the void of his mind; he is visualising the fight in his head in another scene that could've been inserted into the scene, but there was no need. The music, emotion, slow speed of camera movements forces you as the viewer to appreciate every second and think about what the characters are thinking about. One of the hardest to describe, but most emotive scenes I have ever watched in my life.

This is what you get when multiple legends collide: Michael Mann, Will, Jamie, Ali, Malcolm and Sam Cooke.

''Brother, you do your best to see, they dont put their hands on anybody else... again''

Wow. Will Smith's most brilliant piece of work. Hands down. And "they" slept on it.

If anyone puts there hand on you... brother you do your best to see they dont put there hands on anyone else

"your times will never get better unless you make them better"

I watched this on the big screen, such a powerful movie. This intro never gets old and is one of the best openings to a movie.

Greatest opening ever. Michael Mann is a genius.

Need proof that Michael Mann is the foremost filmmaker of his generation? Check out the moment where Bundini starts talking - the rhythmic interplay between Jamie Foxx's voice, Sam Cooke's song and Will Smith's skipping rope is utterly breathtaking.

Greatest intro ever!!! So much history in one scene.

Sam Cooke was incredible, a true genius.

I saw the film in a cinema that was packed to the roof and at the opening scene you could feel the energy going through the audience! I will never forget! An underrated film

This opening scene captures the essence and the struggle of the 50's and 60's and what it was.

i watch this almost everyday, i think this is the only movie that i can watch over and over agian and just get inspired. Will should of won the oscar for this.

I can say hands down, this training montage is way beyond Rocky haha. Best sports movie in this generation no matter 2017.

David Elliott SLAYED THIS! Woulda made Mr. Cook smile.

Interesting part is how everyone including Ali's dad in the party as well, but they show him training hard. It's not that easy to be champ/greatest. If you want to be greatest, you have to work really hard, you cannot be ordinary in your work ethic. Thats what I get from this scene. I just love it.

One of the best intro’s to any movie ever so groovy and soulful makes you want to dance

This is a awesome movie! It had me from the opening scene! I love Sam Cook and whoever did this performance did a good job. This opened up Will Smith's acting career! He did a great job!

Best movie opening ever with Sam 's inspirational music. "Float like a butterfly, Sting like a BEE!"

When Jamie does his Mike Tyson movie, they need to get Will back to play the older Ali.

The greatest 8:49 minutes in movie history!!

Beautiful and powerful. This is art.

This is the greatest opening of a movie. Know the whole thing word for word. Watched it over and over and over as a kid and still visit it as an adult.

Fuckin amazing intro. Inspiring. I get emotional hearing Malcom X. Any of those who were ever oppressed by racists, religions, family, bullies etc can relate to his struggle. Ali's remembering his words and his own afflictions and those who impacted him as he's training, it only fuels him to keep going and train harder. Any combat athlete can relate. An abusive father, a bully, someone telling you your not good enough, every combat athlete had one and over came it. Love it!

Sam Cooke Live Harlem Square...which was in downtown Miami. Is one of the best live album of all time.

Best opening scene. WTF unbelievable. 😂❤

"Dont be Scared of wolves be scared of Foxes they Will befriend you lie cheat and then hurt you" malcolm x

Greatest opening scene in movie history

Even as a kid, not really understanding the depth of what Malcolm X was speaking, that was always my favorite part just because of how passionately he spoke.

so damn realistic...you feel like a part of this scene...michael mann at his very best

one of the best opening scenes going. when bring it on home kicks in, just fcuking awesome!

i keep watching this for the music. such a great job and so EPIC

I love this opening. Shows how the Legendary journey of a Legendary man came together. All the key players falling in place. You can see when he's having flashbacks of his childhood, you can see him preparing himself for what's ahead

Smith should have gotten an Oscar, an Ron Silver too.

live at harlem square club...Sam Cooke, the soul

One of the best movies i've ever seen in my life. Perfectly portraited, by one of the best actors i have ever had the honor to admire, in the movie about one of the most admired, beloved, respected, decorated, and desired fighters in human history. This movie, is all perfection. I just - love it.

This scene means even more now with all the unrest.

so sad watching this scene knowing he's gone:( rip peace champ

I love this movie, Will Smith did such a good job, actually looks like a young Ali(well should say Clay) and sounds so much like him, well done is all I can say

This movie inspired me to get in shape back in 2002 . I loved boxing even more after watching and buying this on DVD

This is a really good film with an absolutely transcendent, unsurpassed opening. Most every time I watch this I tear up and get chills.

For some reason this brings me to tears. I think it's just the sheer amount of greatness that is portrayed.

For me it is the best opening scene ever

The best sequence in the entire movie. Very artistic and creative. Down side is it's the beginning, the rest of the movie never gets back up to this level.

i know its just a film but this scene gives me gosebumps .....everytime ... especially when malcom starts laying it down

My mother had Sam Cooke live for years I didn’t listen to it until I saw the opening to this movie great album

My grandfather sat behind Cassius clay at JFK airport in the late 1950's. He wasn't supreme at that time but still famous.

He really looks like a young Ali, it's crazy.

Just a master piece of an opening sequence. Sam Cooke be proud man. ❤🤌❤

Yep it was Emmit Till. Ali often talked about how the death of Till shaped his early life, leading him to join the Nation of Islam.

Unrivaled camera work and editing! Absolute Genius... Michael Mann = God of Cinema. Thanks for posting!

There is something so epic and perfect about 7:55 and how that man composes himself…. Fear, weight, pressure. Jeffrey Wright has gone on to do other things but he really killed it in this role. He was extremely awesome in the movie. It is no surprise to see he has gone on to have a great career.

FOLKS THIS IS A CLASSIC PIECE OF FILM HISTORY, THIS IS A DEPICTION OF A "LEGEND WALKING." FACT!

Best opening scene in movie history no debating

There is no athelete today who could touch this gentleman in a million years. Ali stood up like a man and is still the man.

Exellent movie! One of the best movies i have ever seen!

One of the greatest performence's of all time

best opening 10 minutes of any film ever‼️‼️

I think the whole movie is pretty good but man...these opening minutes are transcendent filmmaking. Completely goes against the typical biopic formula and builds this mosaic of Ali’s life, showing (in non-linear order) the events, people, and ideas that shaped him. Not to mention that crescendo of the music. So so good.

The version of 'Bring it on Home' here is based on Sam Cooke's version from his 'Live at the Harlem Square club' concert, which I heartily recommend.

Sam cooke killed that intro scene ;-)

"Your hands can't touch what your eyes can't see, float like a butterfly, sting like a bee! Rumble young man rumble!" Merry christmas to you all!

Ali was quite the man, I had the fortunate opportunity to photograph him in 1989 at his home in Los Angeles and I must admit even then I was quite impressed with him. A real gentleman and his daughter and wife was excellent host. A real wonderful person.

Best intro to a movie ever!!!

I like how alis team left a whole legacy after them when he retired and after budini died in 1982.

Long live strong, black, courageous men like Ali, love this movie. Free Howard Morgan, another strong, black courageous warrior, you will be free brother. Trust in God.

"One Night in Miami" brought me here. The "chain Gang" scene is the rage, but this . . .this right here is the ultimate Sam Cooke."

You send me/Bring it on home(Live) - Sam Cooke....Great SONG!!

This first scene was the best part of the movie.

I Love how they re-inacted Sam Cooke. Pretty good.

Sam Cooke would be proud ❤😊

Sadly this was the best part of the movie. This could’ve been one of the best movies ever!!

I just got done watching this movie yesterday! GREAT MOVIE! Very long though. But it really showed a different side of Ali i didn't know he had. He always was so flamboyant and uplifted. He really had a lot of life problems to deal with behind the scenes. GREATEST OF ALL TIME!

Smith should have gotten an Oscar for this role, him and Jamie Foxx as Bundini

Greatest opening to a movie ever ! Very classic and captures the essence of that time period

I love everything about it, except the idea that Angelo Dundee would be telling Clay how to skip, while he was getting ready to fight Liston. Everything else about this feels spot on. Beautiful.

Great Sam Cooke impersonation...This is not the real Sam Cooke yall..Still,this man did a wonderful impersonation of Mr. Soul...

God damn! this is the Greatest movie ever! I just love...such a good example of the people...the times...the events...the way it was...I guess...i wasn't around then...but according to history boks and things..this movie seems to be pretty darn close....and they couldn't have picked a better actor to play Ali

0:59 I love this scene so much. Here is Ali, arguably one of the most famous athletes on the planet. But at night, with his sweater up and training , all the cops see is just a black guy running down the street, which is in and of itself suspicious. I love this movie so much

One of the best opening scenes ever along with the “The Watchmen”

Hehe Gus Fring as Cassius Clay Sr. The casting in this film was awesome. Mario Van Peebles did an awesome job of playing Malcolm X and Jamie Foxx as Bundini was spot on.

28 year old Latino training between singing lines, damn this guy can hit notes! if you're not singing or moving you have no soul

Never forget watching this as a kid !!!!

They don’t make enough black focused movies with this kind of history. That really explores the history and culture of a wonderful community of people trying to make it in America while dealing with hardships along the way. From the music and different beliefs on religion This film explored a lot of that. I’d love to see more movies that show the musical history and overall culture. There’s so much that can be explored that deserves to be explored through film.

Sent by my instructor to analyze this for a short essay and all I can say is I found more then I could ever imagine

Listen to this clip every week, great motivation!

Ali forever Sam still lives on

I play these songs when I do my boxing training

the beginning and end of this movie gives me the goosebumps every time. soo good

Probably the best opening scene ever!!

"David Elliot a true beast....... Masterful notes on the level of Cooke himself!!!! Just not better, he is ONE OF THE ONES THAT WONT BE SURPASSED PERIOD!!!! There can only be few that some how manage to be his equal!!!!!!!!!!! This always was my favorite seen in the movie!!!! I love Will as a actor....... Mmmmmm David's voice is just phenomenal could play it for hours. ...... I love soulful singing, the kind you feel in ya spirit!!!!!!" #Big Smoke Triple OG aka A god of Soul