☰
Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me

Play trailer Poster for Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me 2017 1h 40m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 100% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
The life and career of the singer, dancer and actor told through interviews with the stars who knew him.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me

Critics Reviews

View All (20)
Brian Lowry CNN.com This look at Davis' personal journey through a tumultuous period in US history makes this an especially rich "American Masters" documentary. Feb 19, 2019 Full Review Verne Gay Newsday A fascinating tribute to the consummate performer, this doc also sets the record straight on his politics and civil rights record. Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 18, 2019 Full Review Tom Long Detroit News "I've Gotta Be Me" showcases Davis's vast talents, but it also shines a light on his need for acceptance, his inability to curb indulgences, the groundbreaking aspects of his career and his hunger for applause. Rated: B+ Feb 2, 2018 Full Review Bill Brioux Brioux.tv This briskly entertaining look at the life of Sammy Davis, Jr. (1925 – 1990), is a portrait of a brilliant entertainer who tapped across the front lines of America’s racial divide. Rated: 4/5 Nov 5, 2022 Full Review Cate Marquis We Are Movie Geeks [It] is a thoroughly enjoyable film. Apr 24, 2019 Full Review Roger Catlin rogercatlin.com A complete look at [Sammy Davis, Jr's] many sides, from the pint-sized tap whiz to adult crooner and foundry-breaker. Feb 19, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (2)
Steve W 100 on Critics and audiences. Pretty good. A classic! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/30/25 Full Review Audience Member A well made documentary that shows the life of Sammy Davis Junior. The documentary goes into a lot of detail of the activism, the country at the time, and the challenges he faced. I would've liked to see a little bit more about his movie career in the documentary and it is a little bit long and predictable but for fans of Sammy Davis it's well worth watching. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/23/18 Full Review Read all reviews
Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

Sam Pollard

Director

Harry Belafonte

Self

Tony Bennett

Self

May Britt

Self

Diahann Carroll

Self

Billy Crystal

Self

More Like This

View All
Love, Gilda 89% 81% Love, Gilda Watchlist TRAILER for Love, Gilda Searching for Mr. Rugoff 100% % Searching for Mr. Rugoff Watchlist TRAILER for Searching for Mr. Rugoff Dancer 88% 86% Dancer Watchlist TRAILER for Dancer Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes 78% 100% Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes Watchlist Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach 100% 84% Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me

Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me (2017) Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me (2017) Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me (2017) Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me (2017) Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me (2017) Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me (2017) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The life and career of the singer, dancer and actor told through interviews with the stars who knew him.
Director
Sam Pollard
Producer
Sally Rosenthal
Screenwriter
Laurence Maslon
Production Co
American Masters
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 21, 2019
Runtime
1h 40m
Most Popular at Home Now