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Sidney

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2:42

Sidney

PG-13

2022

1h 47m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

From producer Oprah Winfrey and directed by Reginald Hudlin, this revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier and his legacy as an iconic actor, filmmaker and activist at the center of Hollywood and the Civil Rights Movement. Featuring candid interviews with Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Robert Redford, Lenny Kravitz, Barbra Streisand, Spike Lee and many more, the film is also produced by Derik Murray, in close collaboration with the Poitier family.

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Critics Consensus

Sidney might feel a bit standard compared to its trailblazing subject -- but then again, it'd be all but impossible to capture a life this extraordinary in any single film.

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Candice Frederick

HuffPost

“Sidney” doesn’t bother to simplify details around Poitier’s biography, nor does it try to complicate his story. Rather, it honors the very real complexities of the life he lived.

Dec 6, 2022

Full Review

Colin Grant

New Statesman

Though far from hagiography, Sidney is laudatory, and given to a kind of soft-focus sentimentality, especially when a lachrymose Winfrey is interviewed. The tone is set by the inclusion of extracts of film archive, and Poitier’s calm, dignified voice.

Nov 2, 2022

Full Review

Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

While the reflections from Denzel Washington, Oprah, Robert Redford help define Poitier’s career and life, it’s when we hear from the legend himself that “Sidney” comes to life.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 29, 2022

Full Review

Jericho Tadeo

MovieWeb

"Revolutionary" is a word that gets thrown around and carelessly tacked on to a lot of things, but it is precisely the best word to describe Poitier as an artist and activist. Sidney triumphs in reminding us of why exactly that is.

Jul 12, 2024

Full Review

Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

The most effective and touching parts of the documentary come when Sidney tells his story in his own words. Talking directly to the camera, he reminisces about a life well lived, creating a memoir of his legacy that will live on for generations.

Dec 5, 2022

Full Review

Armond White

National Review

He’s memorialized as an artist-activist and significant only for that. The doc is angled toward how Oprah wants us to see Poitier and herself.

Nov 23, 2022

Full Review

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Kyle M

If you haven't seen all the actor's works, this respectfully enriching humane portrait detailing his legendary contributive stature will still definitely win you over as it further cements his legacy over the important themes he'd confronted and emphasized. (A-)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/15/24

Full Review

Michael W

This showbiz documentary was very good. The entire crew did a spectacular job on documenting on the career of one of the greatest actors of all time Sidney Poitier. It goes into specific detail of his childhood and on all the movies he starred and directed. He really was a true inspiration to the world. If you're an Apple TV+ member, you have to watch this documentary sometime. It's a definite must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Outstanding documentary about a beautiful, powerful, gracious and determined man and one of our greatest actors!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/21/22

Full Review

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Reginald Hudlin

Director

Denzel Washington

Self

Halle Berry

Self

Robert Redford

Self

Lenny Kravitz

Self

Barbra Streisand

Self

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Sidney: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

From producer Oprah Winfrey and directed by Reginald Hudlin, this revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier and his legacy as an iconic actor, filmmaker and activist at the center of Hollywood and the Civil Rights Movement. Featuring candid interviews with Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Robert Redford, Lenny Kravitz, Barbra Streisand, Spike Lee and many more, the film is also produced by Derik Murray, in close collaboration with the Poitier family.

Director: Reginald Hudlin
Producer: Derik Murray, Oprah Winfrey
Screenwriter: Jesse James Miller
Production Co: Apple Studios, Harpo Films, Digital Thunderdome, Network Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Smoking|Some Language|Racial Slurs)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 23, 2022
Runtime: 1h 47m

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