New York, 22 June 1938: in one of the most compelling boxing rematches of all time, black American Joe Louis, reigning world heavyweight champion and representative of Franklin D Roosevelt's New Deal, sought - and got - revenge over Max Schmeling, perceived symbol of Nazi Germany. The bout drew 90,000 into Yankee Stadium, while millions more tuned in on their radios. But, as this documentary reveals, neither "Brown Bomber" Louis nor Schmeling matched the stereotypes presented to the public.
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Documentary - Storyville: The Fight 10.00pm BBC2
On 19 June 1936, in Yankee Stadium, New York, two heavyweight boxers met for a fight that became a symbol of the escalating tensions between their countries. The African-American Joe Louis (the Brown Bomber) was undefeated and considered a rising star when he faced the German boxer Max Schmeling (the Black Uhlan of the Rhine), and it was a huge shock when Schmeling knocked Louis out. The rematch, which Louis won convincingly in June 1938, saw Schmeling promoted as representing Nazi Germany (although it's suggested he had little sympathy with the Nazi regime) and Louis put forward as the symbol of American democracy.
In reality they were each manipulated by their governments and eventually became friends - Schmeling was even a pallbearer at Louis's funeral in 1981.
Barak Goodman's documentary is partly a profile of the two sportsmen - interesting enough in itself - but it also explores the background to their fights and why Louis's eventual victory made him a national hero for both black and white Americans, a rare occurrence in the 1930s and 40s. (JR)