Devoted to his Faith

By Matthew Holley

[1] An excerpt from Muhammad Ali’s publicly released statement on April 28, 1967, as published in the New York Times on April 29, 1967:

It is in the light of my consciousness as a Muslim minister and my own personal convictions that I take my stand in rejecting the call to be inducted in the armed services. I do so with the full realization of its implications and possible consequences. I have searched my conscience and I find I cannot be true to my belief in my religion by accepting such a call.

[2] In the movie Ali director Michael Mann retells the story of the day that Ali refused induction in the armed forces, and there are some important divergences from historical facts in the scene entitled “War Comes Home.” Interestingly enough, Mann also provides a glimpse into a candid conversation that Ali may have had with his advisors as he entered the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station at the Custom House in Houston, Texas.

[2] After examining the New York Times article that was published on the day of the event, it is clear that at the time Ali’s refusal was something that divided the masses, provoked the youth, and for the most part tainted the attraction towards the enigmatic sports star. After more than thirty years of time for reflection, Mann mutes down some of the events of the day, however, and ultimately he manipulates the scene to teach the viewer why Muhammad wasn’t such a bad guy for his refusal.

[3] Missing from the scene is the protestors’ and picketers’ posted up outside of the induction hall. According to the Times, there were several different groups of protestors, and some even drove more than five hours to come and have their voices heard. Mann may have chosen to exclude their involvement in his retelling of the day because the groups might have distracted from the somber mood of the moment. Ali is portrayed as almost concerned and reserved throughout the scene; in prior scenes he always seems upbeat and entertaining as he interacts with the crowds. By leaving the crowds out of the scene, it makes everything feel more serious and less of a spectacle. The last time we have seen Muhammad before he exits the car is a prior night when he is receiving counsel from Howard Cosell about why he has been pursued for the draft. Howard’s words in the film tell us that Ali is being singled out because the threat that he may possess as an influential black figurehead for the inner cities.

[4] The first image of scene 12 is that of Muhammad Ali’s legal advisor, clean-cut and well dressed, a group of stereotypical white Texas men huddling behind him, and his gaze focused intently down the road so that the sun is shining on his face. As Ali arrives, his legal team quickly moves to the car door. He is surrounded and sheltered from the media that hound his heels in hopes of a quick sound bite, and Muhammad speaks to nobody but his team. Ali’s advisors notify him that both the legal system and his Islamic brotherhood have a potential beneficial deal in place that would skirt any real commitment to the military. Ali asks: “So I can stay out of jail and I can keep boxing?” Everyone assures him that it would be so if he just accepts the enlistment, but he doesn’t seem overly relieved at the sounds of the compromise. The men then walk silently towards the hall, and the sounds of their footsteps sound as loud as a woman’s heels. A military officer reads off the names in a monotone cadence; there is no sound of anyone shifting around or anyone making any noise at all really. When the roll call reaches Cassius Clay, the camera angle tightens on Ali’s face. The clearly bothered shifting shows his confliction as he stands true to his beliefs; he bites his lip a little almost as if to show us that he wants to scream out “this isn’t fair you putting me in this position!” but he remains silent. Mann makes sure to show us that this is a controversial stand, and one that now seems easily avoidable with the proposed “easy term of service” agreement. As if this were a moment that we should feel proud of Muhammad, there is a light fluttering melody playing softly, and when the military officer makes Ali aware of what his refusal could mean, there are a few times when the guitar cord strums are hitting a harder, deeper note.

[5] After being made aware of the severity of a refusal, the camera again focuses on Ali’s face while they repeat his roll call several times, but his emotion now seems confident and defiant. In a decision to stray from historical fact, Mann includes an FBI agent who steps in and quickly arrests Ali. The New York Times records that no arrest was made and that the procedure that would make such an act likely to occur was as far as a month later. What the agent brings to the scene is a cold feeling of the justice system cracking down on our hero. Mann’s FBI agent seems to be the opposite and equal counterpart to Ali’s lawyer. Both of the men wear similar suits, similar glasses, and have a similar hairstyle -- but the agent is white. While his lawyer speaks words of hope, the FBI agent speaks only of the harsh reality.

[6] When the camera zooms out and shows the reaction from Ali’s religious and legal counsel, they are both obviously disappointed that Ali has remained stubborn and stagnant in his position even after their recommendation. This gives the viewer something with which to be proud of Ali. If he really does choose not to go through with the induction because of his faith, then his acceptance now would give the feeling that what he is really concerned about is continuing to box and avoiding the dangers of war. In the follow-up scene Ali comments about how he has no quarrels with the Vietcong and discusses his need to oppose racism, which is a crucial tenant of his faith. Our hero has stood up for his beliefs, and even if he isn’t appreciated and understood for it during his time, according to Mann we should try to understand him now.

[7] As an individual who has volunteered in the military and served during a time of war, I had expected to have a much more negative reaction to this part of Ali’s story. When I spoke with my father, who had served during Vietnam, he evoked disdain for Ali because of what he termed “cowardish behavior.” However, my Dad still remains a big fan of Ali the athlete. In Mann’s biopic adventure through Ali’s life, I got the feeling that I should take a less harsh view on him for his refusal to serve.

[8] Mann convinced me that while there were negative attributes to Ali’s behavior, ultimately he appeared to be a man driven by his faith. Ali stares up at Elijah Mohammad during his visit; he remains devoted to the faith and takes sides against his good friend Malcolm X, and now he has taken a more dedicated road than even his religious friends have advised. Clearly we are intended to feel that Muhammad Ali did not hide behind a shallow allegiance to his faith as an excuse to dodge the war, but rather he was a commendable man of principle and devotion.