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The Wrecking Crew

Play trailer 2:20 Poster for The Wrecking Crew PG 2015 1h 42m Documentary Music Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 71 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
The son of guitarist Tommy Tedesco pays tribute to his late father and a core group of studio musicians who played on some of the biggest hits of the 1960s and '70s, including "California Girls" and "Mrs. Robinson."
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The Wrecking Crew

The Wrecking Crew

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Critics Consensus

The Wrecking Crew may not achieve the greatness of the many classic songs its subjects helped bring to life, but it remains a heartfelt, overdue tribute to overshadowed brilliance.

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Critics Reviews

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Donald Clarke Irish Times 06/26/2015
3/5
The documentary makes fascinating connections between the fledgling high-showbiz days of rock 'n' roll and the rise of more versatile singer-songwriters in the 1970s. Go to Full Review Wendy Ide The Times (UK) 06/25/2015
4/5
It's a fascinating insight into how a classic song is crafted. Go to Full Review Henry Barnes Guardian 06/25/2015
3/5
Tedesco nails the point: that the beauty of pop music lies not with the prancing pop starlets, but in the hands of the average-looking, insanely talented artists behind the scenes. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 09/22/2023
... it's satisfying to learn the stories behind the songs that defined a decade and the musicians who never got their due credit for providing the soundtrack of a generation. Go to Full Review Loren King Newport This Week (RI) 12/06/2021
For the sheer joy of the music... Go to Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site 02/26/2021
In this fascinating, eclectic look at this musical period, The Wrecking Crew brings out the essential solidarity and practicality of the group. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Fritz G @RT22134423 Apr 14 Really well done one of the best docs I have seen of late. See more JM H @JMH9999 Apr 6 What a great tribute from son to father, and what a fascinating look into the business end of early rock music. See more Katie F @KatieFitz01 Jan 31 Perfect to stream on a Friday night for self-aware, nonstop stupid action, eye candy, great 1-liners, and "insider" jokes. See more Pete B @RT37223507 03/25/2025 Never realized how many of my favorite songs were played by this one group of musicians. The sheer talent in this crew was crazy, and they barely got credit for it at the time. Amazing look at a piece of music history most people don’t even know about. See more James B @JamesBass 12/13/2023 Great flick. Came here to say that it's available on YouTube and Peacock as well!. See more 06/14/2022 The Wrecking Crew is best watched with your boomer parents, as it takes a nostalgic stroll through the birth of rock 'n roll, through the eyes of the musicians - not the singers, the studio session musicians - who brought the iconic albums to life, one track at a time. See more Read all reviews
The Wrecking Crew

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Cast & Crew

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Denny Tedesco

Director

Denny Tedesco

Narrator

Brian Wilson

Self

Dick Clark

Self

Cher

Self

Herb Alpert

Self

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The Wrecking Crew

The Wrecking Crew: Trailer 1 The Wrecking Crew: Trailer 1 2:20 View more videos
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The Wrecking Crew

The Wrecking Crew (2008) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The son of guitarist Tommy Tedesco pays tribute to his late father and a core group of studio musicians who played on some of the biggest hits of the 1960s and '70s, including "California Girls" and "Mrs. Robinson."
Director
Denny Tedesco
Producer
Denny Tedesco, Jon Leonoudakis, Suzie Tedesco, Claire Scanlon, Jon Leonudakis, Mitchell Linden, Damon Tedesco, Chris Hope
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Lunch Box Entertainment
Rating
PG (Thematic Elements|Smoking Images|Language)
Genre
Documentary, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 13, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$800.5K
Runtime
1h 42m