Emile Griffith entered the boxing ring on March 24, 1962, squaring off against rival Benny "Kid" Paret in a title bout. It would be the third time these two boxers clashed. But this fight transcended a mere boxing rivalry. You see, Paret had earlier taunted Griffith's alleged homosexuality, calling him “maricon,” the Spanish equivalent of “faggot”.

The taunts would end that night in the ring. Griffith, on live television, beat Paret to death.

Ring Of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story is a documentary chronicling that shocking event, as well as the long, sad 40-plus years that followed for Griffith. Over the course of just under 90 minutes, we peer into his rise to boxing prominence, the fatal blows that left Paret crumpled and lifeless, and the aftermath of the stunning death, a road that will eventually lead us to a meeting between Griffith and Paret's son over four decades later.

The story is one that transcends sports, because it is a story about people more than about events. Yes, that fateful 1962 night is at the center of the tale recounted here, but what Ring Of Fire really presents is a story about an immigrant’s rise to success and eventual fall into modest obscurity. In a series of current interviews, directors Dan Klores and Ron Berger bring together former boxers, boxing critics and members of both families – as well as Griffith himself – to reflect on the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. We also see period footage of a young Griffith making a name for himself, smiling, his eyes bright, the future wide open for him. And we see that footage starkly contrasted against the brutal beating he gives to Paret.

The mix of archival footage and current interviews allows the viewer to simultaneously peer into the world of yesteryear through the hazy lens of nostalgia and the sharp microscope of history, putting the people and events surrounding Emile Griffith's life in the context of both then and now. Further sinking you into the era is the excellent use of music throughout, songs that paint a clear picture of the seemingly innocent era in which Paret's stunning death at the hands of Griffith occurred. You can't help but understand that this took place in a far different world than we know today.

Despite knowing what he did, despite seeing that anger at the slurs helped drive events, it’s difficult to dislike Griffith. He comes across as a sweet, kind man, the kind of guy you’d like to sit down with for coffee. What he did in the ring that night in 1962 changed many lives, including his own. Griffith's life ended up modest at best. He trained other boxers for a time. He worked as a security guard. Shuffled along on public transportation in his Queens neighborhood. His life changed from having beat a man to death to he himself almost being beat to death by a gang of street thugs in the 1990s. His memory fails. His every thought is expressed with an air of innocence and simplicity. Somehow, he becomes a sympathetic figure.

This documentary reaches a true emotional climax when Griffith meets the son of the man he killed, a moment so raw and real, most Hollywood screenwriters would delight having it in their arsenal. But this isn't fiction, this is real, which makes the proceedings all the more powerful.
Ring Of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story is more than a boxing story. It’s a well-told tale about how one event can change lives for years to come.

Presentation
There’s a lot to like here. The current interviews, while fairly typical “talking head’ footage, are crisp and look great. The archival footage, well, looks like archival footage … but that’s hardly a complaint, as it’s to be expected with a documentary such as this. The sound fares about the same; the music sounds great, matching the period, and the dialogue is always clear and up front. Documentaries are not reference material, likely never will be, but they don’t have to look and sound bad – and Ring Of Fire certainly doesn’t look or sound bad.

Extras
Anchor Bay offers a solid release of this acclaimed documentary that, while not packed with extras, certainly has enough added value to draw attention. Directors Dan Klores and Ron Berger offer an informative commentary, while an assortment of outtakes, deleted scenes and additional interview clips offer a deeper look into the story of Emile Griffith. Well worth diving into if you found yourself drawn into their story.

The Bottom Line
Anchor Bay issues a winner with Ring Of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story, an excellent documentary that transcends sports with its humanity, presented here with a worthwhile DVD release. Documentary fans are urged to check this one out. Ring Of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story was recognized at Sundance 2005 for a reason.