jotix100 Directors Chris Hegedes and D.A. Pennebaker's documentary, while not clarifying more about the musicians, evoke a bygone era and the glorious music these artists we see in the film gave us.We owe a great debt of gratitude to the talented performers showcased in the film. They gave the American public, and the world at large, some of the best songs of the 20th century. Their stories are presented for their fans to cherish. We remember how great these artists were. These performers take us back to many hours of pure entertainment they gave to their adoring fans and how generous they were with their enormous talent.We see in the movie giants of the popular music such as William Bell, Jerry Butler, The Chi-Lites, Isaac Hayes, Sam Moore, Ann Peebles, Wilson Pickett, Mary Wilson, Carla Thomas. among others.Their stories and recollections are captured in the documentary. This is a film to cherish by all popular music lovers.

ojaiguy this is the music that shaped my teenage years. this is the music that taught me and showed me real emotion. i used to see some of these performers at the Apollo theater in Harlem- i was one of the few white cats who wandered up there. i cant remember another music documentary where the performers are more willing to hang their hearts and souls on their sleeves. and they are well past their performing prime, but not past their soul and their talent. please don't try and use standard movie ideas to dissect this movie. it is as heartful, soulful as human as you will ever see "performers" let us into their life. if you love this music, if you truly love this music, if you understand that this music was the bridge that took early "rock" (Bill Haley, Elvis) and gave it a fullness and a depth and a sophistication that laid the ground for everything to follow, see it IMMEDIATELY

badgerbrewin A lot of different snipets make up the whole of this documentary, which is somewhat confusing and leaves us with a pretty anti- climatic ending. But the stories, voices and music more than make up for it. I was particularly impressed with the beautiful voice of Carla Thomas, and Issac Hayes just might be the coolest cat on the face of the Earth. Rufus Thomas and the radio show are good for more than a few laughs.If you like Soul music and its history, this one is certainly worth a look. 8/10.

perlner It was sort of interesting, and at times entertaining, to hear the stories of these very successful singers.Interestingly enough, not being too familiar with this kind of music, and not having heard much of it before, I wasn't actually all that impressed with their voices...too rough for my taste. But their musicianship was evident, and it was educational to find out more about this style of music.However, the film itself didn't really hold my attention or draw me in. It was sort of like watching home videos of people I don't know, in not-particularly-interesting contexts. Furthermore, they never really developed on the theme suggested by the title. By comparison, "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" is a similar film with more coherence.The worst part, by far, however, was the filming itself. Much of it was shot with hand-held cameras and no attempt at steadiness. The result shook and made the audience queasy. Luckily, they were too busy closing their eyes to listen to the music to notice.