Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony Reviews
Shadows on the Wall
This is an expertly assembled film, catching us by the throat early on with the deeply resonant songs and anecdotes, and then tweaking our minds as well.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Apollo Guide
Director Lee Hirsch expertly weaves in historical footage, photographs and recordings, but the most poignant moments are when the camera is focused on people singing.
Full Review
| Original Score: 83/100
Salt Lake Tribune
Like the songs themselves, "Amandla!" tells a terrible story in a most enthusiastic and upbeat way.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
The film has its share of uplifting and emotionally satisfying moments, and the inclusion of performances by South African musicians surely makes it a must-see for die-hard fans.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
BlackFilm.com
Directed by Lee Hirsch, Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony is one of the best documentaries that focus on the grass roots of the music that told everyone and educated them about apartheid.
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
A fascinating and insightful film.
| Original Score: 9/10
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A remarkable and persuasive argument on behalf of music as a political weapon.
| Original Score: 3.5/4
eye WEEKLY
This is powerful stuff, presented unblinkingly and yet with rousing ardour.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/5
St. Paul Pioneer Press
The word 'amandla' means power, and the music undeniably has that, but it lacks the archival footage to put the music in context.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2.5/4
Oregonian
It's uplifting and lively and filled with fascinating characters, stories and songs.
Top CriticThe power of voices raised together comes through with a clear elation that's undeniable, and in the end Amandla! makes you want to sing.
| Original Score: B
Like going to the lecture of an impassioned but really disorganized professor. You exit class flipping through your notes and have no idea what most of them mean.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/4
San Diego Union-Tribune
Reliably rousing.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
A documentary that is as thoughtful and inspiring as the music it celebrates.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/4
The sound of liberation, set to the beat of human destiny.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Jam! Movies
An unusually engrossing picture.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Dallas Observer
A musical document in which determined warriors fire off centuries' worth of melodies like bullets from an AK-47.
A pleasure -- musically, intellectually and emotionally.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
Whatever Amandla! lacks in cohesion is made up by the passion of those who lived through apartheid, and the power of their defiant, sad and joyous sounds.
Full Review
| Original Score: B
