Amazing Grace

G

Released Nov 23, 2018

1 hr. 27 min.

Documentary

Music

TRAILER

for Amazing Grace: Trailer 1

List

99%

162 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

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

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Apr 30

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Max

Apple TV

Watch Amazing Grace with a subscription on Max, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

Britton H

The music is so good!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/04/23

Full Review

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

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

george r

A cultural history exhibit, in which there are moments when Franklin's voice gives you chills with her emotional power. Look for Mick Jagger in the church audience.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Alan Elliott

Director

Aretha Franklin

Self

The Rev. James Cleveland

Actor

Alexander Hamilton

Actor

Joey Carey

Executive Producer

Alexandra Johnes

Executive Producer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

92%

90%

Buena Vista Social Club

20%

90%

Elvis on Tour

23%

79%

Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience

71%

70%

Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert

100%

81%

Pandas

TRAILER

for Pandas

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

10 Films About Black Music That Turn Household Names into Household Stories

16 Incredible Nature Documentary Series and Movies to Stream Right Now

Awards Leaderboard: Top Movies of 2019

Amazing Grace: Trailer 1

2:08

View more videos

View more photos

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

Full Review

Adam Graham

Detroit News

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

Dec 16, 2019

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Nick Levine

NME (New Musical Express)

Moments of familial intimacy that allow us to instantly forget that we're watching one of the greatest singers of all time...

May 11, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

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

Director: Alan Elliott
Executive Producer: Joey Carey, Alexandra Johnes, Stefan Nowicki
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

Most Popular at Home Now