Skip to content
Back to the daily read

Daily Read: Cinema

Prime Video’s ‘The Greatest’ Reveals Production Secrets

Ben Watkins, the creator of Prime Video’s eight‑episode series ‘The Greatest,’ explained how he assembled a dedicated crew with the blessing of Muhammad Ali’s family to humanize the legend. The production team faced unique challenges, including shooting the first television show ever in Rome’s Colosseum and executing a quick‑change costume on camera. Composer Stanley A. Smith and music supervisor Robin Urdang secured an original track, “Gladiator,” from Grammy‑winner Wyclef Jean, inspired by a poem Ali heard about a gladiator. Costume designer Marci Rodgers engineered a suit that could vanish mid‑shot, while production designer Elisa Suavé recreated a 1960s‑style Italian neighborhood to complement the Colosseum setting. The series blends contemporary music with period‑accurate visuals, and the team’s collaborative effort brought the story of Cassius Clay’s rise to global fame to life. Watkins emphasized the importance of showing Ali’s flaws and vulnerabilities to connect with both new and longtime fans.

· IndieWire

The essential points

  1. 01Ben Watkins assembled a dedicated crew with the blessing of Muhammad Ali’s family to humanize the legend.
  2. 02The eight‑episode series was filmed in Rome’s Colosseum, the first TV show to shoot there.
  3. 03Composer Stanley A. Smith and music supervisor Robin Urdang secured an original track, “Gladiator,” from Wyclef Jean.
  4. 04Costume designer Marci Rodgers engineered a quick‑change suit that vanished on camera during a Colosseum scene.
The full brief

Ben Watkins, the creator of Prime Video’s eight‑episode series ‘The Greatest,’ explained how he assembled a dedicated crew with the blessing of Muhammad Ali’s family to humanize the legend. The production team faced unique challenges, including shooting the first television show ever in Rome’s Colosseum and executing a quick‑change costume on camera. Composer Stanley A.

Smith and music supervisor Robin Urdang secured an original track, “Gladiator,” from Grammy‑winner Wyclef Jean, inspired by a poem Ali heard about a gladiator. Costume designer Marci Rodgers engineered a suit that could vanish mid‑shot, while production designer Elisa Suavé recreated a 1960s‑style Italian neighborhood to complement the Colosseum setting. The series blends contemporary music with period‑accurate visuals, and the team’s collaborative effort brought the story of Cassius Clay’s rise to global fame to life.

Watkins emphasized the importance of showing Ali’s flaws and vulnerabilities to connect with both new and longtime fans.