Muscle Shoals

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Muscle Shoals

PG

Released Sep 27, 2013

1h 51m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

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85 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Filmmaker Greg Camalier pays tribute to an Alabama city that holds a prominent place in music history. Artists who recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala., include Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

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Critics Consensus

Essential for soul fans and entertaining for novices, Muscle Shoals offers a compelling, warts-and-all glimpse at one of the most fascinating stories in modern American music.

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Brad Newsome

Sydney Morning Herald

It's fitting that the first track we hear in this celebratory but emotionally dappled documentary is Wilson Pickett's Land of 1000 Dances. The rich, elemental energy of the recording encapsulates what would become known as the Muscle Shoals sound.

Feb 12, 2020

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Noah Berlatsky

The Atlantic

Even with its disappointments, Muscle Shoals can't help but make a hopeful sound.

Aug 28, 2019

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David Hinckley

New York Daily News

Hall's backstory, riddled with tragedy, gets the proper attention and respect here. But it's the music that won't let you stop watching.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 21, 2014

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Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

There is no doubt a variety of editorially rhythmic issues breakdown the musical flow of Muscle Shoals, but endure the touch and go structure and you'll find a wealth of rock 'n' roll history within.

Rated: 2.5/5

Nov 4, 2020

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Andrew Martin

The New York Review of Books

There is an over-reliance on commentary by platitude-spouting rock stars...but the film's great virtue is that it will introduce and remind viewers of the wonderfully varied trove of music that came out of these studios.

Mar 13, 2019

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Daniel Green

CineVue

It's the music here that shines brightest, and for fans of any of the artists involved, there's more than enough great content on show here to get feet tapping and hearts thumping.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 5, 2019

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S R

My friend from Alabama recommended it to me and it was awesome. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It touched on the importance of the place and its impact on music that was certainly extensive and extraordinary. I plan on visiting next time I am down south. Saw on Amazon.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

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Jay K

Telling a great story while still keeping to history and facts. SO interesting and fun.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/23

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Maurice G

A Masterpiece of Documentary Filmmaking it's not often, I'm not sure it has ever happened, that a documentary film can completely transform the way you see the world. But that's exactly what this film about music, and place, and time, and people, does. And masterfully so.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/09/22

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Audience Member

Fabulous documentary showing the victories and defeats and persistence of musicians who are doing it for love and success

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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Audience Member

Stones, Allman, Aretha, and oh so many more... awesome!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Audience Member

Most captivating documentary I have seen. Amazing story of a town of less than 10,000 could produce so many talented musicians that would be heard all around the world and itï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)s just an example of one thing you assume turns out to be something far different. Country white folks playing R and B and Blues that anyone would believe to be Afro Americans. More importantly itï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)s about how relationships between the races can be mutually respectful and once this happens how beneficial it truly becomes to all. Amazing story!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

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Greg "Freddy" Camalier

Director

Stephen Badger

Self

Aretha Franklin

Self

Jerry Carrigan

Self

Alicia Keys

Self

Bono

Self

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Parental Guidance: Non-Stop, Plus Gravity, Thor: The Dark World and Muscle Shoals

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Greg Camalier pays tribute to an Alabama city that holds a prominent place in music history. Artists who recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala., include Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Director: Greg "Freddy" Camalier
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Ear Goggles
Rating: PG (Smoking|Language|Brief Partial Nudity|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 27, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $695.6K
Runtime: 1h 51m

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