...fails to give audiences as much frame of reference for the unifying economic, political and atmospheric elements that made the Stax brand of R&B soul music so powerful.
Only the Strong Survive (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 45
Fresh: 28
Rotten:17
Average Rating: 6/10
Consensus: Though this documentary could be more informative, the performances themselves are wonderful.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for brief language and a drug reference
Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins
Genre: Musical & Performing Arts
Theatrical Release:May 9, 2003 Limited
Synopsis: Influential documentarian D.A. Pennebaker, perhaps best known for his 1967 Bob Dylan documentary DON'T LOOK BACK, co-directs ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE, a fascinating look at some of the most... Influential documentarian D.A. Pennebaker, perhaps best known for his 1967 Bob Dylan documentary DON'T LOOK BACK, co-directs ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE, a fascinating look at some of the most influential soul musicians from the 1960s and 1970s. Pennebaker's film centers around the survivors from this tumultuous period in soul music, talking at length to Sam Moore, Wilson Pickett, Rufus Thomas, Mary Wilson, and Isaac Hayes amongst others. All have a bittersweet story to tell of their time in the business, many having experienced the euphoric highs of chart success, followed by a fall from grace, and a late resurrection of their careers upon which this film focuses. Clearly enjoying their twilight years in the spotlight, the featured artists display a mixture of talent, humor, and a sense of gratitude that they have survived for so long in the often-cutthroat music industry. 80-year-old Rufus Thomas perhaps best exemplifies their spirit, taking to the stage with all the energy and enthusiasm of a 25-year-old, he proves that age and a troubled past are no obstacle to providing a compelling, moving performance. An essential film for soul fans, ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE is a moving human-interest story which manages to reach beyond its target audience by providing a heartwarming tale of survival against seemingly insurmountable odds. [More]
Starring: William Bell, Isaac Hayes, Sam Moore, Wilson Pickett
Starring: William Bell, Isaac Hayes, Sam Moore, Wilson Pickett, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, The Chi-Lites
Director: Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker
Director: Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker
Producer: Roger Friedman
Studio: Miramax Films
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Release:
Feb 3, 2004
Reviews for Only the Strong Survive
you get the feeling that Hegedus and Pennebaker couldn't care less about soul music.
I would have prefered deeper insights... [but] as a concert film, this one’s a blast.
There's no problem with a little bias, but Friedman's fan-boy perspective puts the subjects of Only the Strong Survive on too high a pedestal.
Content to merely serve as a cluttered, heart-shaped scrapbook, missing many more stories than it bothers to include.
Invaluable as a record of its subjects (including the late, great Rufus Thomas), but it doesn't cohere as a feature...
A loving look at soul's golden era that leaves you wanting more; a disappointment in some respects because it doesn't craft a more comprehensive, cohesive background.
The scrappy country cousin to the high-gloss Standing in the Shadows of Motown.
These survivors share a timelessness and a universality that remain untouched by the fickle shifts of popular culture.
Fortunately, the performances themselves are beautifully filmed and recorded.
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