Amazing Grace

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2:08

Amazing Grace

G

Released Nov 23, 2018

1h 27m

Documentary

Music

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99%

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163 Reviews

80%

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250+ Ratings

Singer Aretha Franklin performs gospel songs at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles in 1972.

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Critics Consensus

Brilliantly capturing a remarkable performer near the peak of her prodigious power, Amazing Grace is a thrilling must-watch documentary for Aretha Franklin fans.

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

The work as it stands now has considerable merit as a document recorded during a watershed period of the American civil rights movement. As a concert film, it's elevated by Franklin's powerhouse three-octave range and soulful phrasing.

Dec 16, 2019

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Adam Graham

Detroit News

The long-buried concert film is a tremendously powerful tribute to Aretha Franklin.

Dec 16, 2019

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David Stratton

The Australian

This musical feast was filmed a very long time ago - but it feels like only yesterday.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 16, 2019

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

Powerfully genuine, it is both a testament to the joy and strength of music, and how it empowers and dazzles different generations and people.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 14, 2024

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Ricardo De Querol

El Pais (Spain)

It is an austere recording with an equally austere backdrop, but in which every note is pure and sung in a magical atmosphere that approaches ecstasy.

Mar 25, 2024

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Tom O'Brien

Next Best Picture

It took 47 years to reach theaters, but the documentary "Amazing Grace" is sheer musical bliss.

Rated: 8/10

Jun 14, 2022

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Kasey T

This movie had me in tears at several moments! I have not seen anything this genuine for so long. Aretha’s delivery is holy as is her back up choir, the audience, and her chosen lead pastor. The choir director has an energy to be admired! I would have loved to hear him sing. At one point, Aretha’s delivery is so awe inspiring that an audience member actually seems to believe she is Jesus. I can’t wait to watch this again. Amazing Grace does not even begin to do this movie Justice. There is Aretha Franklin singing songs and then there is everyone else. Watch now!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/24

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Mark L

This live performance transports you to the time and place in a way that no other live recording will ever do. This is one of Aretha's best.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/02/23

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Britton H

The music is so good!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/04/23

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Theofilos K

I wanted to get out of the theatre within ten minutes of the movie but I had to give it a full chance. Wasted time with Hollywood over exaggerated content

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/20/23

Full Review

isla s

As documentaries go, this is a pretty straight forward one, showing the filming of a gospel concert with Aretha Franklin and the Southern Californian Community Choir in the early 1970s. The singing is undoubtedly great and its nice to see the atmosphere in the small, church, venue - its quite infectious even, although, obviously, in a good way!. The songs are quite atmospheric and I'd be surprised if you didn't find yourself tapping your toes to the various catchy tunes, such as 'Mary, Don't You Weep', 'What A Friend We Have in Jesus' and the titular 'Amazing Grace'. The picture is slightly grainy I suppose but then, of course, this was recorded some time ago and I guess you could say it adds to the sentimentality/nostalgic aspect of it. I thought it was a bit of a shame that there's no additional information about the singers life given alongside the performances - I suppose I assume that music documentaries will include more than 'just' the music itself but that's not to say that it's not a good, uplifting, entertaining and enjoyable musical performance because it is. I suppose I think of it more like a concert film than a music documentary as such. In any case, she certainly had a pretty amazing voice and she made the most of it. I appreciate and respect that, having seen this film. For fans of Aretha Franklin's music, I would most certainly recommend this, yes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Aretha is a great singer, but as a movie, not that good.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Alan Elliott

Director

Aretha Franklin

Self

The Rev. James Cleveland

Actor

Alexander Hamilton

Actor

Joey Carey

Executive Producer

Alexandra Johnes

Executive Producer

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Amazing Grace: Trailer 1

2:08

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Synopsis

Singer Aretha Franklin performs gospel songs at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles in 1972.

Director: Alan Elliott
Producer: Joe Boyd, Alan Elliott, Aretha Franklin, Rob Johnson, Chiemi Karasawa, Sabrina V. Owens, Jerry Wexler, Tirrell D. Whittley, Joseph Woolf
Production Co: Sundial Pictures, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
Rating: G
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 23, 2018, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2019
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 6, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.5M
Runtime: 1h 27m

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