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Only the Strong Survive

Play trailer Poster for Only the Strong Survive PG-13 Released May 2, 2003 1h 41m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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61% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 56% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Filmmakers Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker showcase performers of R & B and soul from the 1950s to the 1970s.
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Only the Strong Survive

Only the Strong Survive

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Critics Consensus

Though this documentary could be more informative, the performances themselves are wonderful.

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Critics Reviews

View All (44) Critics Reviews
Randy Cordova Arizona Republic There's no problem with a little bias, but Friedman's fan-boy perspective puts the subjects of Only the Strong Survive on too high a pedestal. Rated: 3/5 Jun 26, 2003 Full Review Gene Seymour Newsday Content to merely serve as a cluttered, heart-shaped scrapbook, missing many more stories than it bothers to include. Rated: 2/4 May 28, 2003 Full Review Richard Roeper Ebert & Roeper ... the music is great, but as a film thumbs down. May 12, 2003 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com ...fails to give audiences as much frame of reference for the unifying economic, political and atmospheric elements that made the Stax brand of R&B soul music so powerful. Rated: C Jun 13, 2009 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 1.5/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Oct 1, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (5) audience reviews
Audience Member Soul is not my prefered type of music,so i didn't think the docummentary has a lot to offer me. Still, the language works really well. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member A sweet, although lacking in depth, memorable portrait of a group of soul singers who shine even if the general public dont take notice. Some great performances. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Ok, so get together a bunch of washed up has-been soul singers that never had any real hits, let them play concerts in front of 100 people thinking they're the cream of the crop reminiscing about the good ol' days and that's what you have here. The craziest, funniest, more torturous 95 mins of my life. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member this is nice. it's not as stinging as 'wattstax', nor does it encapsulate a history making event like 'woodstock' but the concert footage is great and the performances are wonderful! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Only good memories come from reliving this music, I sometimes feel bad for the younguns, I know they can listen to it now, but you had to have been in that era, to know what I mean. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Only the Strong Survive

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmakers Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker showcase performers of R & B and soul from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Director
Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker
Producer
Roger Friedman, Frazer Pennebaker
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Pennebaker-Hegedus Films
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Language|Drug Reference)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 2, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 30, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$57.3K
Runtime
1h 41m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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