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Muscle Shoals

Play trailer Poster for Muscle Shoals PG 2013 1h 51m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 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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Muscle Shoals

Muscle Shoals

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Noah Berlatsky The Atlantic Even with its disappointments, Muscle Shoals can't help but make a hopeful sound. Aug 28, 2019 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member Stones, Allman, Aretha, and oh so many more... awesome! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Muscle Shoals

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Cast & Crew

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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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Muscle Shoals

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Movie Info

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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