Much is known about Muhammad Ali's triumphs as a boxer -- "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," The Heavyweight Champion of the World, "The Greatest" -- but a new documentary focuses on the trials he endured as well.
"The Trials Of Muhammad Ali," the latest documentary from Chicago-based Kartemquin Films ("Hoop Dreams," "The Interrupters"), explores the boxer's life as he was transitioning from Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. to Muhammad Ali -- much of which happens during Ali's time living in Chicago.
(See more photos of Muhammad Ali's life in Chicago below.)
Director Bill Siegel ("The Weather Underground") was inspired to create this new documentary on Ali having done research for another Ali documentary, "Muhammad Ali: The Whole Story."
Siegel said in a recent interview "Trials" explores a part of the Ali's life that's often glossed over in sports documentaries, the exile which he calls "the most important period of his life."
Ali met both his first wife (to whom he was married just 18 months) and his second wife, Khalilah Ali (nee Belinda Boyd), in Chicago.
Ali's second wife, a Chicago native born into the Nation of Islam (she changed her named after their marriage in 1967), was a deeply influential figure in Ali's life despite being almost a decade younger when she married him at age 17.
"Trials" follows Ali's life from a Kentucky boxing champ to a follower of Nation of Islam leader, Elijah Muhammad, to his battle with the U.S. government over his conscientious objector status that ultimately led to the Supreme Court.
In addition to revealing an intimate look at Ali's life living in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood, "The Trials of Muhammad Ali" mines long-forgotten slices of the legend's past (including his stint as a college speaker and the star of the Broadway play, "Buck White").
The overall effort is one of trial -- and ultimately triumph -- that shows with sadness, rage and grace the defining years of one of the greatest athletes of all time.
"The Trials of Muhammad Ali" is playing in select theaters across the country. The film debuts in Chicago Nov. 8 at the Music Box (sold out) and will show at Chatham 14 Cinema (210 W. 87th St.) and ICE Lawndale 10 (3330 W. Roosevelt Rd.).
Khalilah Ali (far right) is served lunch with fellow graduates after graduation ceremonies at the Nation of Islam's University of Islam Temple #2, Chicago, IL, 1965. The former Belinda Boyd took the name Khalilah Ali upon marrying the boxer Muhammad Ali. (Photo by Robert Abbott Sengstacke/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali strikes up a tune on the piano at his Chicago home shortly after being presented a bronze sculpture by artist Jesse Richardson, Feb. 12, 1979. When asked what he could play on the piano, Ali answered "Boogie" - and did, with lyrics. (AP Photo/Larry Stoddard)
Close-up of American boxer Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay) (left) and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan (born Louis Walcott) as they listen to a speaker during the Saviour's Day celebrations at the International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, February 27, 1966. Farrakhan wears a Fruit of Islam uniform, a subset of the Nation of Islam. (Photo by Robert Abbott Sengstacke/Getty Images)
World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, second from right, and Sen. Charles H. Percy (R-Ill), far left, lead all the participants of the New World Patriotism Day Parade down Michigan Ave in Chicago, July 4, 1979. Ali is the grand marshall of the parade. (AP Photo/Charles Knoblock)
Muhammad Ali reflects a mood of happiness with a neighbor?s young child at his home in Chicago, Ill., June 4, 1968. (AP Photo/Charles Knoblock)
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.