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Rejoice & Shout

Play trailer Poster for Rejoice & Shout PG Released Jun 3, 2011 1h 55m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
76% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Through the words of clergy members and musicians, this documentary shows the deep connection between faith and gospel music. But this film is more than just a Christian testimonial; with insight provided by music legends like Smokey Robinson and Mavis Staples and copious doses of archival footage, it explores the history of gospel. Chronicling the genre from its early 20th-century beginnings up to the present day, the documentary also shows that the art form isn't strictly meant for the pious.
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Rejoice & Shout

Critics Reviews

View All (38) Critics Reviews
Dwight Brown National Newspaper Publishers Association Rejoice & Shout is the most definitive and uplifting film ever made about gospel music. And that's the gospel truth. Rated: 3/4 Nov 8, 2016 Full Review Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times If you don't know gospel music, really know it, you are missing out on a lot, but don't lose faith. "Rejoice and Shout," a vibrant and comprehensive new documentary will take you there in style. Rated: 3.5/5 Jun 23, 2011 Full Review Dan DeLuca Philadelphia Inquirer A relentlessly chronological, talking-head documentary that sets itself the impossible task of telling the whole rousing, spirit-lifting story of African American Christian music from slavery till now. Rated: 3/4 Jun 23, 2011 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The result is an uneven film, despite all the talent on display and the importance of the project. Rated: B- Dec 17, 2011 Full Review Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope The film includes a number of outstanding musical performances by gospel groups, soloists and other musicians. This is a good film for fans of gospel music, or those who want to find out more about the history of gospel music. Rated: B Nov 29, 2011 Full Review Donald J. Levit ReelTalk Movie Reviews 'Rejoice and Shout' treats a long century and could have been more incisive and included fuller performance clips by dispensing with head interviews that interrupt often and at length. Sep 30, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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walter m "Rejoice and Shout" is an informative and entertaining documentary that acts as a survey history of gospel music, allowing it to not only be told by experts, but in the wonderful music which is shown in many delightful clips. This way we can see how gospel music has not only influenced music in general but also been affected by the outside world at large. Regretfully, the documentary does not know where to start, going off on tangents for a while before finally settling for the beginning which in this case is slavery where the Christianity of the masters mixed with the slaves' native religion to create a new form of Christianity. Soon after which, music was added to the mix. As well testified, gospel music springs from the singers' enthusiastic beliefs and faith. For example, Pastor Andrae Crouch puts it best when he says we would all melt if we ever directly heard the voice of God, so His words have to be conveyed through intermediaries. At the same time, I can attest one does not have to believe similarly to enjoy gospel music or anything else wonderful in this bountiful world, to disagree with Smokey Robinson. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member If you like music and need a little inspiration, then rent this documentary and give it a watch. It's wonderful. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member REJOICE AND SHOUT is an EXCELLENT documentary. I was blown away to see live performances by the Caravans in their heyday. Smokey Robinson's interview spoke VOLUMES! Darrel Petties of Memphis spoke for today's generation, and he did it WELL! His lead singer, Ashley Mackey, did a soul-stirring job as usual! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member I picked up on Rejoice and Shout for the sole reason that I thought it would be interesting and to expose myself to a history and genre of music that I have no familiarity with. I was in luck. Rejoice and Shout makes the viewer want to do just what the title infers. Exploring 200 years of Gospel music from its humble beginnings to its glorious and to some degree toe-tapping arrangements, this is a great film. While the first 30 minutes seems a bit dry, its certainly eye-opening to the birth of this genre of music and its evolution over generations. I enjoyed this film much more than I thought I would, and if you're a music fan, you'll be able to identify where the Blues, Rap and Hip Hop evolved from Gospel taking the lead. This is a good film and well worth your time. I recommend it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Quite an education; one walks us through the history of Black American musical tradition alongside social justice movement. It's a musical tour-de-force and a great film for any music lover. While I understand the director's chronological trajectory, I wish they would've spent more time thinking about gospel's proliferations in other genres--it's almost glaring that they left out Ray Charles and other musicians who began in gospel but made a career in popular music. Also, I'm not sure I'm pleased with the rather "tidy" ending. Yet, the movie was filled with brilliant music and made for a good historical look at our American musical culture. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Reflective and inspiring historical look at Gospel Music showcasing the highlights and drama. This was very informative and entertaining documentary for those who do not know the genre. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Rejoice & Shout

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Movie Info

Synopsis Through the words of clergy members and musicians, this documentary shows the deep connection between faith and gospel music. But this film is more than just a Christian testimonial; with insight provided by music legends like Smokey Robinson and Mavis Staples and copious doses of archival footage, it explores the history of gospel. Chronicling the genre from its early 20th-century beginnings up to the present day, the documentary also shows that the art form isn't strictly meant for the pious.
Director
Don McGlynn
Producer
Joe Lauro
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Deep River Films
Rating
PG (Incidental Smoking|Some Mild Thematic Material)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 3, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$100.1K
Runtime
1h 55m
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