The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story

PG

Released May 22, 2009

1 hr. 41 min.

Documentary

List

90%

21 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

As contract songwriters for Disney, Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman compose many of the studio's best-loved hits, including "It's a Small World (After All)" and songs from "Mary Poppins," "The Jungle Book" and many more. Their prolific professional collaborations result in many awards, including two Oscars. However, a deep, longstanding rift strikes a sour note in the brothers' personal relationship.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Nov 18

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Disney+

Apple TV

Watch The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story with a subscription on Disney+, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Audience Member

A documentary film about the lives of the famous composers, Robert and Richard Sherman that was directed and produced by their sons. This movie is well put together and includes relevant interviews and narration from the sons. There was a lot of information I did not know about this famous duo and I'm glad to have watched this film. I think this movie is worth your time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

As a Disney Fan, I really enjoy this. Since I was a kid, I was very fond of the Sherman Brothers and there music. Finally watching this documentary has given me a inside look to the people behind the music. Highly Recommend!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

spencer p

In the tradition of "behind every magical career is an unfortunate truth", the Sherman Bros. sibling rivalry may have only been gently touched, but this is all the same an essential Disney documentary.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Akin to the honorably gifted documentary "Frank and Ollie" but with more acceptable consistency, the Sherman Brothers received a similar, inspiringly prompted treatment in this revealing documentary detailing their personal lives and musical collaboration whereas the lyrics really reflect their respective journeys. Not only does the documentary unveils their brotherly relationship besides their well-known musical passion, it theoretically brought up a realization that they're the head of our childhood's music department before selective couple partnerships contemporarily take the helm. At times mutually emotional and whimsical, but also, from our spectating perspective, wonderful with grateful reminiscent. (A)

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

As a movie? Meh. It too often veers off course to tell us something that doesn't seem pertinent to the compelling central story. However, as a capture of two truly incredible men's work? Priceless.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great documentary on Richard and Robert Sherman, who wrote loads of songs for Disney movies, and their difficult fraternal relationship. Recommended!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Gregory V. Sherman

Director

Jeffrey C. Sherman

Director

Richard M. Sherman

Self

Robert B. Sherman

Self

Julie Andrews

Self

Jim Dale

Self

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

33%

50%

Morning Light

71%

80%

Waking Sleeping Beauty

57%

44%

Walt & El Grupo

47%

75%

The Providence Effect

72%

67%

Exporting Raymond

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critics Consensus: Terminator, Night Are So-So Sequels

View more photos

Dan Kois

Washington Post

The film holds their Disney songs in such high esteem, and discusses them with such little context, that The Boys sometimes feels as though it is set in Disneyland, not the real world.

Rated: 2/4

Nov 6, 2009

Full Review

Greg Quill

Toronto Star

The story of the men who wrote them in the golden age of Walt Disney Studios' movie musicals, brothers Robert and Richard Sherman, is one of the most fascinating chronicles of creative partnership never told.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 21, 2009

Full Review

Claudia Puig

USA Today

A touching and illuminating documentary about the songwriting duo.

Rated: 3/4

May 22, 2009

Full Review

David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

This moving tale behind the scenes of one of Hollywood's least well-known "first" families is enriched by some of the most gloriously happy lyrics produced in the last decade of the studio system.

Jun 18, 2020

Full Review

Kelly Jane Torrance

Washington Times

As the highlights roll by and you get to know these geniuses better, the film becomes surprisingly moving.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 1, 2018

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an affable, sporadically intriguing (yet somewhat underwhelming) piece of work.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 29, 2011

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

As contract songwriters for Disney, Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman compose many of the studio's best-loved hits, including "It's a Small World (After All)" and songs from "Mary Poppins," "The Jungle Book" and many more. Their prolific professional collaborations result in many awards, including two Oscars. However, a deep, longstanding rift strikes a sour note in the brothers' personal relationship.

Director: Gregory V. Sherman, Jeffrey C. Sherman
Executive Producer: Ben Stiller, David Permut, Stephen Buchsbaum, Stuart Cornfeld
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures, Crescendo Productions
Rating: PG (Smoking Images|Mild Thematic Elements|Brief Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 22, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $54.9K

Most Popular at Home Now