Ken Burns' PBS Muhammad Ali four-part documentary gives an expansive look at boxing legend's life
Sifting through 500 hours of archival footage, music and photos can be daunting for any filmmaker tasked with trying to create a seminal piece of art or entertainment.
Throw in the added stress of trying to complete the project and stay safe during a global pandemic, and the process can take on an added significance.
For directors Ken Burns, his oldest daughter, Sarah, and son-in-law David McMahon, the labor of love that went into their latest documentary profiling Muhammad Ali comes with the territory and has created a wide-ranging and in-depth look at the life of the boxing legend.
When first conceived, “Muhammad Ali” was intended to be a six-hour opus. The final cut stretched it out to eight, which will be shown on four consecutive nights on PBS starting Sept. 19.