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Standing in the Shadows of Motown
Directed by
Paul Justman
PG
2002
1h 56m
Documentary
,
Music
7.8
91%
89%
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Documentary about the Funk Brothers, a group of Detroit musicians who backed up dozens of Motown artists.
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Where to Watch Standing in the Shadows of Motown
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Cast of Standing in the Shadows of Motown
Richard 'Pistol' Allen
Himself
Jack Ashford
Himself
Bob Babbitt
Himself
Benny 'Papa Zita' Benjamin
Himself (archive footage)
Eddie 'Bongo' Brown
Himself (archive footage)
Bootsy Collins
Himself
Johnny Griffith
Himself
Ben Harper
Himself
Joe Hunter
Himself
James Jamerson
Himself (archive footage)
Uriel Jones
Himself
Montell Jordan
Himself
Chaka Khan
Herself
Gerald Levert
Himself
Joe Messina
Himself
Meshell Ndegeocello
Herself
Joan Osborne
Herself
Rudy Robinson
Himself
James Jamerson Jr.
Himself
Paul Riser
Himself
Andre Braugher
Narrator
Gary Bosek
Young Bob Babbitt
Paul Justman
Director / Producer
Walter Dallas
Writer
Ntozake Shange
Writer
Sandford Passman
Producer
Alan Slutsky
Producer
Standing in the Shadows of Motown Ratings & Reviews
Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com
Scott Von Doviak
The Funk Brothers seem to have hardly missed a beat.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Eleanor Ringel Cater
I promise, you'll never listen to a Motown classic in the same way ever again.
Arizona Republic
Randy Cordova
The documentary stumbles where it could have soared.
Denver Post
Steven Rosen
The movie lets us realize this Sound, still so alive and vibrant today, was created by flesh-and-blood people, each of whom has a compelling story to tell.
Dallas Morning News
Matt Weitz
The sheer joy and pride they took in their work -- and in each other -- shines through every frame.
Ebert & Roeper
Richard Roeper
It's a blast!
Austin Chronicle
Marjorie Baumgarten
When all is said and done, there ain't no mountain high enough that should keep you from getting to this movie.
Chicago Sun-Times
Roger Ebert
The Motown Sound was, quite simply, their sound.
Seattle Times
Moira MacDonald
A great story and great music, right down to the final credits.
San Francisco Chronicle
Jonathan Curiel
When the old guys sit around and tell their stories, Standing in the Shadows of Motown catches magic on the screen -- a behind-the-curtain peek at some of the world's best-loved music, straight from the cats who made it happen.
Detroit News
Susan Stark
After watching it, you can only love the players it brings to the fore for the gifted but no-nonsense human beings they are and for the still-inestimable contribution they have made to our shared history.
Boston Globe
Ty Burr
Standing in the Shadows of Motown is one hell of a party, and it doesn't let anything get in the way of that.
Washington Post
Desson Thomson
Gives credit where credit's due.
Washington Post
Ann Hornaday
A soaring cinematic love letter.
New York Post
Lou Lumenick
If there is any doubt about the Funk Brothers' key contributions to the Motown sound, it's dispelled when these aging musicians take the stage with contemporary performers who re-create the classics.
Salon.com
Charles Taylor
Told in scattered fashion, the movie only intermittently lives up to the stories and faces and music of the men who are its subject.
New York Times
Elvis Mitchell
This salute to the literally unsung and underrecognized studio heroes of Motown is so good because it is one of those rare documentaries that combine information with smashing entertainment.
Los Angeles Times
Manohla Dargis
Gives the Funk Brothers their due and more, mostly through wonderfully juicy anecdotes.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Carrie Rickey
Ain't no mountain high enough to keep the Funk Brothers from getting to you.
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