"One of those liberal, well-meaning, fervently uncontroversial works that pretend to tackle contemporary problems by finding analogies at a safe remove in history". Critic Emanuel Levy wrote called it a "well-acted drama". Variety said: “Jones' re-creation of his stage role is an eye-riveting experience. The towering rages and unrestrained joys of which his character was capable are portrayed larger than life.” On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 43% based on reviews from 7 critics. On Metacritic the film has a score of 53% based on reviews from 7 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Box Office According to Fox records, the film required $16,075,000 in rentals to break even. By December 11, 1970, it had earned $9,325,000 in rentals, thus the studio took a loss on the film. See also List of American films of 1970 References External links The Great White Hope on Rotten Tomatoes 1970 films 1970 romantic drama films 20th Century Fox films American biographical drama films American films based on plays American romantic drama films Biographical films about sportspeople American boxing films Cultural depictions of Jack Johnson Drama films based on actual events 1970s English-language films Films about interracial romance Films about race and ethnicity Films about racism Films directed by Martin Ritt Films scored by Lionel Newman Films set in the 1910s Films set in Chicago Films set in London Films set in Paris Films set in Berlin Films set in Reno, Nevada Films set in Mexico Films set in Havana Films shot in California 1970s sports drama films American sports drama films 1970s American films