Pancho Gonzalez: The Latino Legend of Tennis Trailer

Director, Producer &Writer
Narrated by Benjamin Bratt, Pancho tells the compelling story of Richard Alonzo "Pancho" Gonzalez, largely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Featuring interviews with Robert Redford, Serena and Venus Williams, Edward James Olmos, and Jimmy Connors as well as exclusive footage never before broadcast, the film tells the story of one the great-unrecognized American athletes. It premiered at the US Open Tennis Tournament and was first shown nationally on Spike TV. It had its second national broadcast on PBS.

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Film & Animation

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• documentary
• filmmaker
• reel
• trailer

[nickathas]

He was a troubled man, difficult to get close to but consider the world he lived in. He was the most talented player in a sport that like golf was closed to all but the country club crowd. He was one of first persons of color to challenge the racist attitudes that were openly promoted in tennis. He was not Jackie Robinson. He was angry and paranoid but ask yourself how you would have handled fame poisoned by ignorance and irrational fear.

[kjetin99]

He would probably have won Wimbledon 5-6-7 times if he had been allowed to play!

[Jeannasellshomes]

So quick to judge. He was who was because the way he was! Does that make sense to you? He had self respect & didn't kiss anyone's ass to get what he wanted. He was an amazing person & athlete. Made his way to the top despite ALL the obstaces he over came. He may have died, "broke & pennyless". Who cares you can't take it with you. He told me before he died, "I have lived a full life,gone everywhere I've wanted to go & do everything I've ever wanted."  How's that for broke & pennyless?

[JackNeworth]

@JackNeworth by "interview" I meant Pancho on the Dick Cavett show

[JackNeworth]

@nickathas Is the interview on the net anywhere?

[JackNeworth]

@nickathas very well put. I'm email buds w/ Allen Fox, former 3-time Davis Cupper for the U.S. who idolized Pancho and, at age 16, often played 3 out f 5 sets with Pancho for new tennis balls.

[burnley5960]

The greatest of them all

[theloya1965]

Latino legend?, no dumbasses greatest of all!!!

[BloodyBrain4]

That has gotta be Olmos narrating.

Where can I find this documentary on DVD?

[AdrienneAXK]

I was living in Compton and dating my tennis coach at the time when he surprised me with tickets to watch Pancho play Rod Laver at the Pan Pacific Auditorium in L.A. I don't think I blinked during the match. He was amazing.

[TheLeilisa]

Who is the tallest Tennis player?

[josemezatorrez]

Sports Illustrated article about the magazine's 20 "favorite athletes" of the 20th century said about Gonzales (their number 15 pick): "If earth was on the line in a tennis match, the man you want serving to save humankind would be Ricardo Alonso Gonzalez." Very happy to se a fellow Mexican-American be a great success in tennis.God bless America.