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Standing in the Shadows of Motown
The soul behind the sound.
The soul behind the sound.
Documentary - 2002
7.8
92%
76
In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. gathered the best musicians from Detroit's thriving jazz and blues scene to begin cutting songs for his new record company. Over a fourteen year period they were the heartbeat on every hit from Motown's Detroit era. By the end of their phenomenal run, this unheralded group of musicians had played on more number ones hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined - which makes them the greatest hit machine in the history of popular music. They called themselves the Funk Brothers. Forty-one years after they played their first note on a Motown record and three decades since they were all together, the Funk Brothers reunited back in Detroit to play their music and tell their unforgettable story, with the help of archival footage, still photos, narration, interviews, re-creation scenes, 20 Motown master tracks, and twelve new live performances of Motown classics with the Brothers backing up contemporary performers.
Director:

Details

Rated:
PG
Runtime:
116 min
Release date:
15 Nov 2002
Country:
US
Languages:
English
Budget:
$0
Revenue:
$0
Awards:
11 wins & 8 nominations.

Top Critics Reviews

fresh:
Try as you might to resist, if you've got a place in your heart for Smokey Robinson, this movie will worm its way there.
– Geoff Pevere,
Toronto Star,
22 Nov 2002
rotten:
The documentary stumbles where it could have soared.
– Randy Cordova,
Arizona Republic,
28 Nov 2002
fresh:
I promise, you'll never listen to a Motown classic in the same way ever again.
– Eleanor Ringel Gillespie,
Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
29 Nov 2002
fresh:
There have been better documentaries to come out this year, but none can touch this one for unadulterated pleasure.
– Roger Moore,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Dec 2002
fresh:
The Funk Brothers seem to have hardly missed a beat.
– Scott Von Doviak,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com,
27 Dec 2002
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