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Soul Power

Play trailer Poster for Soul Power PG-13 2009 1h 33m Documentary Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 73 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In Zaire, James Brown, B.B. King, Miriam Makeba, the Spinners and others perform in a three-day concert preceding 1974's "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Among the songs performed are "Soul Power," "One of a Kind (Love Affair)," "The Click Song" and "Payback."
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Soul Power

Soul Power

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Critics Consensus

Featuring some incredible performances from many 70s soul legends, Soul Power is an exhilarating snap-shot of a bygone era.

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Critics Reviews

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Ann Hornaday Washington Post 08/14/2009
Soul Power turns out to be an unusually resonant time capsule, one that weaves together theatrics, musicianship, cosmopolitanism and sharp political critique in a vibrant look-back that's at once celebratory and wistful. Go to Full Review Joe Williams St. Louis Post-Dispatch 08/13/2009
3.5/4
It's impossible not to be moved. Go to Full Review Dan DeLuca Philadelphia Inquirer 07/30/2009
4/4
It packs the emotional and historical power of a heady 'family gathering' celebration of African and, to use the term then in fashion, Afro-American pride. Go to Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter 06/18/2020
... worth catching for its awesome views of B.B. King ("The Thrill is Gone") and soul daddy James Brown in the time capsule of 1974 Zaire. Go to Full Review Kelly Vance East Bay Express 08/26/2011
Soul Power is a window into a time when anything seemed possible. Go to Full Review Rob Thomas Capital Times (Madison, WI) 11/13/2009
3/4
B.B. King. Bill Withers. Miriam Makeba. Celia Cruz. And James Brown, earning every inch of the title, "Godfather of Soul," who all by himself probably deforested a few acres around Kinshasa with the volcanic blast of his set. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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07/12/2016 Not only is this documentary about a legendary music / sports event in Zaire pulsing, unbiased, joyous, and socially powerful; it also has the distinction of having the greatest bongo solo ever caught on film. See more 11/24/2014 Companion piece to the Ali Foreman doc 'When We Were Kings' focusing on the music festival of Zaire 1974. As much as the footage is good it's not until the later parts does this really get going with the arrival of James Brown - I only wish the whole of his set was released instead! See more 01/09/2014 An important musical time capsule. See more 08/30/2013 Feel good movie of ever. I want to climb into the screen See more 02/21/2013 This is a time capsule of the 70s like no other, and should be recognized for the cultural and musical event that it is, right alongside the Rumble in the Jungle's status among fights. Watch through the credits - James Brown will infuse you with soul power (mustache not included). See more 02/19/2013 (***): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] An entertaining documentary with some good music performances. See more Read all reviews
Soul Power

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte

Director

Leon Gast

Self

Hugh Masekela

Self

Johnny Pacheco

Self

Maceo Parker

Self

George Plimpton

Self

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Soul Power

(L-R) Muhammad Ali, Bill Withers and Don King in "Soul Power." (Center) Manu Dibango in "Soul Power." The Spinners in "Soul Power." The Spinners in "Soul Power." Miriam Makeba in "Soul Power." B.B. King in "Soul Power." B.B. King in "Soul Power." Miriam Makeba in "Soul Power." Bill Withers in "Soul Power." Bill Withers in "Soul Power." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In Zaire, James Brown, B.B. King, Miriam Makeba, the Spinners and others perform in a three-day concert preceding 1974's "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Among the songs performed are "Soul Power," "One of a Kind (Love Affair)," "The Click Song" and "Payback."
Director
Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte
Producer
Leon Gast, Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte, David Sonenberg
Screenwriter
Stewart Levine
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Antidote Films
Rating
PG-13 (Some Thematic Elements|Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Documentary, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 10, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$206.8K
Runtime
1h 33m