ESPN Documentaries presents:
Sports Century – Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter
The ESPN documentary “Sports Century – Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter” offers a capativating an thought-provoking exploration of the life and career of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a prominent boxer who became entangled in a controversial legal battle. While the documentary effectively highlights Carter‘s remarkable boxing achievements and the racial tensions of the era, it does have a few notable shortcomings.
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![The title card for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.47.46-AM-1024x717.png?ssl=1)
![The introduction for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.48.10-AM-1024x685.png?ssl=1)
![The introduction for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.48.22-AM-1024x723.png?ssl=1)
![The introduction for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.48.36-AM-1024x679.png?ssl=1)
![The introduction for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.49.05-AM-1024x713.png?ssl=1)
![The introduction for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.49.19-AM.png?ssl=1)
The documentary lies in its ability to contextualize Carter‘s story within the broader socio-political landscape of the 1960s and 70s. It sheds light on the racial discrimination and systematic injustices that Carter faced, both in nd out go the ring. By delving into racial tensions that surrounded his wrongful conviction, the documentary highlights larger issues of racial bias and prejudice within the criminal justice system.
![After his release from prison in September 1961, Rubin Carter became a professional boxer. At 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m), Carter was shorter than the average middleweight, but he fought all of his professional career at 155–160 lb (70–72.6 kg). His aggressive style and punching power (resulting in many early-round knockouts) drew attention, establishing him as a crowd favorite and earning him the nickname "Hurricane". After he defeated a number of middleweight contenders—such as Florentino Fernandez, Holley Mims, Gomeo Brennan, and George Benton—the boxing world took notice. The Ring first listed him as one of its "Top 10" middleweight contenders in July 1963. At the end of 1965, they ranked him as the number five middleweight. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rubin-22Hurricane22-Carter.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, who was arrested and imprisoned along with John Artis for a bar room murder in 1966. He was released in 1985 when a judge finally decreed that the arrest and conviction had been based on racial prejudice and not on facts. Photo Credit: Getty Images](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rubin-Carter-in-Prison.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Police motorcyclist patrol the sidewalks of the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, to prevent new gatherings, on May, 09, 1963, after violent demonstrations for civil rights. In the sixties, Birmingham, Alabama, was a major centre of civil rights activities. In 1963, the American civil rights association Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) organized here nonviolent protests in an attempt to draw attention to the unequal treatment that African Americans endured in this southern city, one of the most racially segregated US cities. A series of clashes between young black students and white municipal authorities, ultimately led to the municipal authorities reforming the city's discriminatory laws, but also the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Photo Credit: -/AFP via Getty Images](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Racially-Divided-America.jpeg?ssl=1)
![(Original Caption) Paterson, New Jersey: Rubin "Hurricane" Carter (photo left), leaves the Passaic County courthouse at lunchtime on 12/2. In the photo at right co-defendant John Artis leaves the courthouse. Carter and Artis are on trial for the 1966 murders of three people in a Paterson bar. Both were previously found guilty but won a new trial after several witnesses changed their stories. Photo Credit: Getty Images](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Rbin-Carter-and-John-Artis-in-1976.jpeg?ssl=1)
![John Artis and Rubin Carter in the custody of the Passaic County Courts. Photo Credit: Google Images](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/John-Artis-and-Rubin-Carter-.webp?ssl=1)
![The Morning News Front Page headline with the verdict in the 1976 retrial of Rubin Carter and John Artis. Photo Credit: Google Images](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Carter-and-Artis-Found-Guilty.jpg?ssl=1)
![Appeal to petition of writ of habeas corpus. Photo Credit: Google Images](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-10-at-2.46.05-AM.png?ssl=1)
Furthermore, the documentary features interviews with key individuals, including Carter himself, his legal team, and fellow boxers, providing valuable insights and firsthand accounts. These personal narratives contribute to a nuanced understanding of Carter’s character and the impact of his experience on his life.
![The Rubin "Hurricane" Carter interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter. Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.52.35-AM-1024x714.png?ssl=1)
![The Lewis Steel interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter. Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.50.34-AM-1024x717.png?ssl=1)
![The "Skeeter" McClure interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter. Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.56.04-AM.png?ssl=1)
![The Joey Gardello interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter. Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.56.33-AM.png?ssl=1)
![The John Artis interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter. Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.54.25-AM.png?ssl=1)
However, one notable weakness of the documentary is its limited exploration of the counter arguments and doubts surrounding Carter’s proclaimed innocence. While it acknowledges the existence skeptics, the documentary could have delved deeper into the opposing perspectives and examined the complexities of the case. By providing a more balanced portrayal, the documentary could have presented a more comprehensive analysis of Carter’s guilt or innocence.
![The scene from the interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.52.08-AM-1024x709.png?ssl=1)
![The scene from the interview of Sargent Vincent DeSimone for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.55.03-AM.png?ssl=1)
![The scene from the interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.50.00-AM.png?ssl=1)
![The Thom Kidrin interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.49.44-AM.png?ssl=1)
![The Javies S. Hirsch interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.51.38-AM.png?ssl=1)
Additionally, the documentary occasionally suffers from pacing issues, particularly in its attempts to cover a wide range of events within a limited timeframe. As a result, certain aspects of Carter’s life and career receive less attention and depth that they deserve. A more focused approach and better time management could have allowed for a more thorough exploration of significant moments and pivotal relationships in Carter’s journey.
![The scene from the interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.50.22-AM-1024x707.png?ssl=1)
![The Marion Boykin interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.50.50-AM.png?ssl=1)
![The William Nack interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.51.12-AM-1024x722.png?ssl=1)
![The Mike Silver interview for the ESPN documentary from Sports Century about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter.
Photo Credit: ESPN](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-17-at-3.55.40-AM-1024x688.png?ssl=1)
![John Artis and Rubin Carter outside the courthouse in 1967. Photo Credit: Google Images](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/John-Artis-and-Rubin-Carter-1024x797.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Rubin "Hurricane" Carter incarcerated in 1974.
Photo Credit: Google Images](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Rubin-22Hurricane22-Carter-705x1024.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Breaking a self-imposed 12-year silence, former boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter says he was not bitter about serving 119 years in prison for a triple murder conviction that was ultimately overturned. Carter, 50, agreed to speak out for the first time since 1976 after a Passaic County judge signed an order on Friday dismissing three murder indictments that had haunted the exfighter for 23 years. Looking fit and relaxed, Carter held his coming-out press conference at the Plaza Hotel, where he told reporters. "If I have learned anything in my life, it's that bitterness consumers the vessel that contains it." Photo Credit: Harry Hamburg/NY Daily News via Getty Images](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Rubin-Carter-1.jpeg?ssl=1)
In conclusion, “Sports Century – Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter” is a compelling documentary that shines a light on the life of a remarkable athlete and the injustices he faced. It successfully examines the racial climate of the time and the presents valuable perspectives on Carter’s story. However, the documentary would have benefited from a more balanced analysis of Carter’s guilt or innocence and improved pacing to prove a more comprehensive understanding of his life and legacy.
![Rubin Carter in his military photo from 1954. Photo Credit: Google Images](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Rubin-Carter-in-the-Army.jpeg?ssl=1)
![The boxing match for middleweights Rubin Carter Versus Florentino Fernandez was held on October 27, 1963. Photo Credit: Google Images](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Carter-Vs.-Fernandez.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Rubin "Hurricane" Carter vs Dick Tiger at Madison Square Garden. Dick Tiger stops to check Rubin Carter for damage after decking middleweight opponent with short left hook to head in fourth round. Carter continued after taking mandatory eight count. Photo Credit: Clarence Hoff/NY Daily News via Getty Images](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Carter-vs.-Tiger.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Rubin Carter and John Artis in the custody of the Paterson Police Department. Photo Credit: Google Images](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Carter-Artis-in-Custody.jpeg?ssl=1)
![(Original Quote) Rahway State Prison in New Jersey, where 50 to 150 inmates hold warden Hugh Verkcevich hostage. Photo Credit: Getty Images](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rahway-State-Prison.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was riding a wave of success. The survivor of a difficult youth, he rose to become a top contender for the middleweight boxing crown. But his career crashed to a halt on May 26, 1967, when he and another man were found guilty of the murder of three white people and sentenced to three consecutive life terms. Written from prison and first published in 1974, The Sixteenth Round chronicles Hurricane's journey from the ring to solitary confinement. The book was his cry for help to the public, an attempt to set the record straight and force a new trial. Bob Dylan wrote his classic anthem "Hurricane" about his struggle, and Muhammad Ali and thousands of others took up his cause. The power of Carter's voice, as well as his ironic humor, makes this an eloquent, soul-stirring account of a remarkable life. Originally Published: January 1, 1974 by Viking Press](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Sixteenth-Round.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Former middleweight boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter gestures while speaking from prison where he serves time for a triple murder conviction. Rahway State Prison, Rahway, New Jersey. | Location: Rahway State Prison, Rahway, New Jersey, USA. Photo Credit: Getty Images](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rubin-Carter-in-Prison-1.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Musician Bob Dylan is photographed visiting Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter at New Jersey's Clinton State Prison during the Rolling Thunder Revue on December 7, 1975 in Clinton, New Jersey. Photo Credit: Ken Regan/Camera 5 via Contour by Getty Images.](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Bob-Dylan-And-Carter.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter holds up his world championship belt as he speaks about his wrongful murder conviction at Bunker Hill Community College, Thursday, March 24, 2011. Staff photo by Angela Rowlings. Photo Credit: Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Rubin-Carter-WBC-Champ.jpeg?ssl=1)
You can watch “Sports Century – Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter” below in 3 Parts:
![https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/cropped-d3d0f4de5c874cf7a06b2f50e0bc7820-2-10.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/cropped-d3d0f4de5c874cf7a06b2f50e0bc7820-2-10.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)