ZDF has produced a new documentary about boxing idol Henry Maske. The film will be shown for the first time on Friday (September 26) on the channel’s streaming portal.
Henry Maske in a different light: ZDF will broadcast the documentary “Henry Maske – mein Weg” on TV on Sunday, October 5, from 5.15 pm. The 43-minute documentary about Germany’s boxing idol will be available on the public broadcaster’s streaming portal on Friday, September 26.
What can you see in the documentary?
“The ZDF documentary looks deeper than ever before behind the controlled façade of the ‘gentleman’ of boxing. It does not simply recount a career, it dissects a moment of destiny,” reads a press release. “With rare archive footage, intense images and the unadulterated power of the original voices of those involved, the result is a film that lives exclusively from the memories, thoughts and emotions of those who were there at the time.”
What events are involved?
The rematch between Henry Maske and Virgil Hill. The gentleman returns to the ring in 2007 – against the man who once inflicted the only defeat of his professional career. A comeback after almost ten years out of the ring, “which many thought was madness and which hardly anyone understood. Was it about money? Was it about fame? Or was it about wounded honor?”. The ZDF documentary sheds light on this from various perspectives.
“Henry Maske – my path” interweaves the 2007 fight, which was watched by 16 million TV viewers at the time, with the highlights of his career: Maske’s Olympic victory in 1988, his first world title as a professional in 1993, the dramatic fight against Graciano Rocchigiani in 1995 and the bitter defeat against Virgil Hill the following year to end his career.
Who has their say in the documentary?
In addition to the German wrestling hero himself, companions who know Henry Maske like few others have their say: his long-time training partner Axel Schulz, matchmaker Jean-Marcel Nartz, manager Werner Heinz, the renowned sports commentator and former Klitschko manager Bernd Bönte – and other voices from the world of boxing who make the person behind the legend tangible.
Text: Frank Schwantes / with ZDF material