The Apollo

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The Apollo

2019

1h 38m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Filmmaker Roger Ross Williams looks at the storied history of the iconic Apollo Theater while following the Apollo's inaugural staging of Ta-Nehisi Coates' acclaimed "Between the World and Me."

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Critics Consensus

Long live The Apollo and the history makers that sang within its walls.

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Tre'vell Anderson

Out Magazine

The Apollo is a necessary chronicling of the history of Black folk and the enduring sociopolitical spirit of our talent, from music to dance to comedy.

Feb 10, 2020

Full Review

Caryn James

BBC.com

Williams does a terrific job of layering decades of iconic music through the film.

Nov 21, 2019

Full Review

Monica Castillo

TheWrap

There's probably a multi-part documentary series that could be built out of all that footage that zips by, from Ella Fitzgerald regally singing at the mic to a young Lauryn Hill bombing on amateur night.

Nov 1, 2019

Full Review

Ricardo De Querol

El Pais (Spain)

The Apollo is a song to the importance of building a community and cultural spaces of respite where individuals can feel part of something bigger that includes, welcomes, and embraces them. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 28, 2023

Full Review

Carla Hay

Culture Mix

The Apollo is an expertly told story that does justice to the Apollo and the people who made the venue great.

Jul 11, 2020

Full Review

Beandrea July

Hyperallergic

Drawing on interviews with theater staff and famous musicians alike, the film's history of this one location is also a cultural history of America.

Feb 28, 2020

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dave d

Scattered, yet substantive, 'The Apollo' showcases one of the legendary entertainment buildings of the world. The names who have come through are a who's who and many are still alive to recall the golden days. It's a documentary that also spends a lot of time focusing on the community the Apollo serves. If you're into the 60's and 70s era entertainment there are some great gems here. The music is worth it in and of itself. The stories are priceless. Final Score: 8.2/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Beautiful film! Filled with history, but also current.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

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Audience Member

My favorite documentary film of the year!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

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Roger Ross Williams

Director

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Self

Angela Bassett

Self

Common

Self

Jamie Foxx

Self

Doug E. Fresh

Self

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Roger Ross Williams looks at the storied history of the iconic Apollo Theater while following the Apollo's inaugural staging of Ta-Nehisi Coates' acclaimed "Between the World and Me."

Director: Roger Ross Williams
Producer: Lisa Cortes, Nigel Sinclair, Jeanne Elfant Festa, Cassidy Hartmann, Roger Ross Williams
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 14, 2019
Runtime: 1h 38m

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