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The Singing Revolution

Play trailer Poster for The Singing Revolution 2006 1h 34m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Between 1986 and 1991, the people of Estonia protested against their Soviet occupiers in large rallies. Although these protests were fundamentally peaceful, the Estonians used a weapon powerful enough to rattle an empire: song. Patriotic songs, to be precise, which the Soviets had outlawed in Estonia. Thousands upon thousands would assemble to sing in defiance. This documentary unveils the story of a population that stood up against their oppressors with nothing but their voices and their pride.

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The Singing Revolution

The Singing Revolution

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Critics Consensus

An inspiring true story, The Singing Revolution proves the pressure for political change can be induced through any number of surprising -- and non-violent -- means.

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Critics Reviews

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Josh Rosenblatt Austin Chronicle Full of the kind of collective passion and struggle and yearning for freedom that makes viewers well up with pride at their shared humanity. Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 3, 2008 Full Review Amy Biancolli Houston Chronicle This fine and surprising documentary asks an even more challenging question: Can music promote nonviolence, prevent bloodshed and successfully overthrow an oppressive regime? Again -- astonishingly -- the answer is 'yes.' Rated: 3.5/4 Jun 20, 2008 Full Review Jonathan F. Richards Film.com The thrill of this documentary is in the remarkable story of the Little Country That Could. May 30, 2008 Full Review Betty Jo Tucker ReelTalk Movie Reviews One of the most inspirational and powerful documentaries I've ever seen. Mar 28, 2009 Full Review Keith Breese Filmcritic.com a film that joyfully celebrates the power of the human spirit in all its glory. Rated: 4/5 Jan 23, 2009 Full Review James Verniere Boston Herald Rated: B+ Oct 18, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member This movie manages to convey the spirit of Estonia and the true meaning of national/national pride. The fact that an entire revolution can be won by peace and by song. Goosebumps! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member What a story of the triumph of the human spirit! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member How Estonia resisted Nazi and Russian occupation through public song. Good for singers and free-expression geeks. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Read the critic's reviews - they give it a decent appraisal for the most part. This documentary is inspirational - a Never Give Up attitude that can change the world. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member the singing revolution Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member : An inspiring film about the human spirit's resilience, tenacity, and capacity for non-violent change on a national scale. It also happens to be an excellent, though necessarily brief, documentary on the history of Estonia over the last 100 years. I would give this film 10 stars, but then, these are my people on screen. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Maureen Castle Tusty

Director

James Tusty

Director

Linda Hunt

Narrator

John Kusiak

Original Music

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The Singing Revolution

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Movie Info

Synopsis Between 1986 and 1991, the people of Estonia protested against their Soviet occupiers in large rallies. Although these protests were fundamentally peaceful, the Estonians used a weapon powerful enough to rattle an empire: song. Patriotic songs, to be precise, which the Soviets had outlawed in Estonia. Thousands upon thousands would assemble to sing in defiance. This documentary unveils the story of a population that stood up against their oppressors with nothing but their voices and their pride.
Director
Maureen Castle Tusty, James Tusty
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 22, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$330.0K
Runtime
1h 34m
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