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Muscle Shoals

Play trailer Poster for Muscle Shoals PG 2013 1h 51m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 86 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Filmmaker Greg Camalier pays tribute to an Alabama city that holds a prominent place in music history. Artists who recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala., include Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
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Muscle Shoals

Muscle Shoals

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Critics Consensus

Essential for soul fans and entertaining for novices, Muscle Shoals offers a compelling, warts-and-all glimpse at one of the most fascinating stories in modern American music.

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Critics Reviews

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Brad Newsome Sydney Morning Herald Feb 12, 2020
It's fitting that the first track we hear in this celebratory but emotionally dappled documentary is Wilson Pickett's Land of 1000 Dances. The rich, elemental energy of the recording encapsulates what would become known as the Muscle Shoals sound. Go to Full Review Noah Berlatsky The Atlantic Aug 28, 2019
Even with its disappointments, Muscle Shoals can't help but make a hopeful sound. Go to Full Review David Hinckley New York Daily News Apr 21, 2014
4/5
Hall's backstory, riddled with tragedy, gets the proper attention and respect here. But it's the music that won't let you stop watching. Go to Full Review Carla Renata The Curvy Film Critic Mar 24, 2026
MUSCLE SHOALS is a documentary that lefts the veil off of a part of American music history only privy to those  musicians and artists lucky enough to record there Go to Full Review Jordan M. Smith IONCINEMA.com Nov 4, 2020
2.5/5
There is no doubt a variety of editorially rhythmic issues breakdown the musical flow of Muscle Shoals, but endure the touch and go structure and you'll find a wealth of rock 'n' roll history within. Go to Full Review Andrew Martin The New York Review of Books Mar 13, 2019
There is an over-reliance on commentary by platitude-spouting rock stars...but the film's great virtue is that it will introduce and remind viewers of the wonderfully varied trove of music that came out of these studios. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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S R @ScottR Feb 21, 2024 My friend from Alabama recommended it to me and it was awesome. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It touched on the importance of the place and its impact on music that was certainly extensive and extraordinary. I plan on visiting next time I am down south. Saw on Amazon. See more Jay K @RT99315753 Mar 2, 2023 Telling a great story while still keeping to history and facts. SO interesting and fun. See more Maurice G @RT95032291 Jan 9, 2022 A Masterpiece of Documentary Filmmaking it's not often, I'm not sure it has ever happened, that a documentary film can completely transform the way you see the world. But that's exactly what this film about music, and place, and time, and people, does. And masterfully so. See more Feb 28, 2021 Fabulous documentary showing the victories and defeats and persistence of musicians who are doing it for love and success See more Nov 26, 2020 Stones, Allman, Aretha, and oh so many more... awesome! See more Mar 9, 2019 Most captivating documentary I have seen. Amazing story of a town of less than 10,000 could produce so many talented musicians that would be heard all around the world and itï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)s just an example of one thing you assume turns out to be something far different. Country white folks playing R and B and Blues that anyone would believe to be Afro Americans. More importantly itï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)s about how relationships between the races can be mutually respectful and once this happens how beneficial it truly becomes to all. Amazing story!!! See more Read all reviews
Muscle Shoals

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Cast & Crew

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Greg "Freddy" Camalier

Director

Stephen Badger

Self

Aretha Franklin

Self

Jerry Carrigan

Self

Alicia Keys

Self

Bono

Self

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Muscle Shoals

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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmaker Greg Camalier pays tribute to an Alabama city that holds a prominent place in music history. Artists who recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala., include Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Director
Greg "Freddy" Camalier
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Ear Goggles
Rating
PG (Smoking|Language|Brief Partial Nudity|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 27, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$695.6K
Runtime
1h 51m
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