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Say Amen, Somebody

Play trailer Poster for Say Amen, Somebody G 1982 1h 40m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Gospel music is the subject of this lively film, which explores the history of the faith-rooted musical style. While the documentary features a number of gospel musicians, it spends the most time looking into the considerable contributions of Thomas A. Dorsey, a pioneering songwriter and pianist, and his popular associate, singer "Mother" Willie Mae Ford Smith. Also included are numerous concert performances by the Barrett Sisters, Sallie Martin and other gospel luminaries.
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Say Amen, Somebody

Critics Reviews

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John DeFore The Hollywood Reporter The film offers less than it could have in terms of straightforward who-did-what-and-when history. But it is unexpectedly generous when it comes to the music. Sep 6, 2019 Full Review Chuck Bowen Slant Magazine Throughout, artists intermingle in scenes that have been rendered with an Altman-esque sense of personal panorama. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 3, 2019 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Say Amen, Somebody is the most joyful movie I've seen in a very long time. It is also one of the best musicals and one of the most interesting documentaries. And it's also a terrific good time. Rated: 4/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Catherine Capellaro Isthmus (Madison, WI) If Say Amen does nothing more than introduce us to Dorsey, a Chicago-based music director who died in 1993, it will have done its duty. But it does so much more than that. Nov 22, 2019 Full Review Dave Segal The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Regardless if you're the staunchest skeptic, you can't help getting swept away by Ford Smith's ebullience. Sep 11, 2019 Full Review Jake Euker F5 (Wichita, KS) Rated: 4/5 Mar 18, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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s r An inside look into gospel music and the conventions that were started. Not much of an overall narrative that transcends just filming though. It was merely information and history. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Fascinating, lyrical, and true. It's transfixing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member This was my church this morning. Was an interesting education in Gospel music, but not a must see in any way. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member In under 2 hours, this film gives a well-rounded picture of gospel music, its roots, performances, and personalities. Leaves the viewer wanting to learn and hear more. The performance of uplifting songs are moving. But it's the elderly Thomas A. Dorsey telling the tragic story behind my favorite gospel song "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and singing it in his cracking voice that so effectively demonstrates the beautiful expression of soul emotion that, to me, defines gospel music. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Great gospel performances, quite a bit of insight into the everyday lives of the greats, but falls short of explaining the importance of gospel music in African American culture (or American culture in general). Pretty good all around though. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Honest and insightful, able to capture such an intimate portrait of Mother Smith, Dr. Dorsey, The Barrett Sisters, Zella and the O'Neal Twins and weaving everything together so nicely in the end. At the end I felt like I had really lived with them and gotten to know them. The music is wonderful also. I learned a lot about documentary filmmaking from this. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Say Amen, Somebody

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Cast & Crew

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George T. Nierenberg

Director

George T. Nierenberg

Producer

Karen Nierenberg

Producer

Edward Lachman

Cinematographer

Don Lenzer

Cinematographer

Paul Barnes

Film Editing

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Say Amen, Somebody

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Movie Info

Synopsis Gospel music is the subject of this lively film, which explores the history of the faith-rooted musical style. While the documentary features a number of gospel musicians, it spends the most time looking into the considerable contributions of Thomas A. Dorsey, a pioneering songwriter and pianist, and his popular associate, singer "Mother" Willie Mae Ford Smith. Also included are numerous concert performances by the Barrett Sisters, Sallie Martin and other gospel luminaries.
Director
George T. Nierenberg
Producer
George T. Nierenberg, Karen Nierenberg
Rating
G
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 26, 2021
Runtime
1h 40m
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