Wattstax (1973)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Mel Stuart

Release Date:

23 November 1973 (West Germany)

Genre:

Documentary | Comedy | Music

Tagline:

A soulful expression of the living word...

Plot:

Documentary about african-american singers like Isaac Hayes and Rufus Thomas.

Plot Keywords:

Singer | African American | 1970s | Stadium | One Word Title

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

James Alexander	...	Himself
Rance Allen	...	Himself
Raymond Allen	...	Himself
The Bar-Kays	...	Themselves
Andre Edwards	...	Himself
The Emotions	...	Themselves
Isaac Hayes	...	Himself
Luther Ingram	...	Himself
Jesse Jackson	...	Himself (as Rev. Jesse Jackson)
Erik Kilpatrick	...	Himself
Albert King	...	Himself
Ted Lange	...	Himself
Little Milton	...	Himself
Richard Pryor	...	Himself
Mavis Staples	...	Herself (as The Staples Singers)
Roebuck 'Pops' Staples	...	Himself (as The Staples Singers)
Johnnie Taylor	...	Himself
Carla Thomas	...	Herself
Rufus Thomas	...	Himself
Kim Weston	...	Herself

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Watts, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Stax Records

Trivia:

A portion of the proceeds went to Martin Luther King Hospital and the American Sickle Cell foundation as well as a few other predominantly African-American charities.

Movie Connections:

Featured in TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

Soulsville

The best music documentary of all time

My all time favorite music film, probably because it shows how soul was about so much more than music. Stirring performances (Isaac Hayes, The Emotions, Rance Allen Group) and hilarious running monologue from Richard Pryor (at his peak). Also some provocative social statements from Watts residents in the early '70s who speak out on race and romance. Catch it whenever you can---no VHS or DVD is available.