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Family Band: The Cowsills Story

Play trailer Poster for Family Band: The Cowsills Story 2011 1h 26m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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In the 1960s, incredible musical talent helps propel the Cowsill family to the top of the charts, but their meteoric rise ends almost as quickly as it began.
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Family Band: The Cowsills Story

Audience Reviews

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William L Excellent. Fan of their music or not, nobody ever said they weren't incredibly talented. To witness their struggles and to see how music ended up being the glue to keep this family connected is amazing. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/29/18 Full Review Audience Member Solid doc on the short-lived family band The Cowsills, who were also the inspiration for the Partridge Family. The Cowsills story is similar to that of the Beach Boys as their domineering Father assumed control of all decisions and ultimately destroyed the band. Repressed, yet cathartic Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Excellent. If you care about 60s-70s pop music or weird families you should see it. Made with love and honesty. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Fascinating documentary. It is hard to reconcile my fond memories of the Partridge family with the truly tragic story of drugs and abuse that were the reality for the Cowsills. One of the highlights of the film were interviews with Shirley Jones of Partridge Family fame. Growing up I knew all about The Partridges but by the 80s the Cowsills had vanished. The Cowsills made beautiful music but while watching this film, I found it difficult to enjoy the sounds under the cloud of abuse they suffered from dad Bud Cowsill. Naturally, I go into most films expecting a happy ending. But early on you got a definite sense that the Cowsill cloud had no silver lining. Debt, death, depression seemed to be fated. However, it seems as though making the documentary WAS the silver lining. Despite lacking many bright spots in the actual film, the closing "where are they now" notes were full of perseverance. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member A sad story about some very talented individuals. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Love a good documentary. This one is the true backstory for the Cowsills (60's family pop band - basis for the Partridge Family TV series). Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Family Band: The Cowsills Story

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis In the 1960s, incredible musical talent helps propel the Cowsill family to the top of the charts, but their meteoric rise ends almost as quickly as it began.
Director
Louise Palanker, Bill Filipiak
Screenwriter
Louise Palanker, Bob Cowsill
Production Co
Thinking Bee Productions
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 11, 2017
Runtime
1h 26m
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