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Miniseries – The Defiant Ones

Play trailer Poster for Miniseries – The Defiant Ones 2017 Music Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
The Defiant Ones tells of the unbreakable bond of trust and friendship between music legends Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, two street-smart men from different worlds who together defied traditional wisdom and transformed contemporary culture in the process. Filmed over a three-year period by director Allen Hughes, the four-part documentary traces the rise of two tough kids -- Iovine the son of a Brooklyn longshoreman, Dr. Dre straight out of the streets of Compton, Calif. -- through an unconventional business until their paths crossed in the late 1980s, leading to this unlikely duo brokering one of the biggest deals in music history. In addition to extensive, frank interviews with Iovine and Dr. Dre, the series includes comments by such music icons as Bono, David Geffen, Eminem, Ice Cube, Gwen Stefani, Jon Landau, Tom Petty, Snoop Dogg and Bruce Springsteen. Also featured is never-before-seen footage from a multitude of recording and writing sessions.
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The Defiant Ones — Miniseries

The Defiant Ones — Miniseries

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Critics Consensus

The Defiant Ones is a compelling, comprehensive portrait of two visionaries that illuminates both their colorful pasts and their historic influence on the music industry.

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Critics Reviews

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Sam Wollaston Guardian The Defiant Ones is witty, polished, grand in scale, ambition and budget, while remaining totally engrossing. The other music docs may as well give up now. Rated: 5/5 Mar 26, 2018 Full Review Suzi Feay Financial Times It's an incredible story, filled with larger-than-life characters, tragedy and folly, glory and ignominy. Rated: 5/5 Mar 19, 2018 Full Review Ben Travers IndieWire Men have flaws, and for these two icons, the ultimate act of defiance might be showing them. Rated: A- Dec 13, 2017 Full Review Victoria Segal Sunday Times (UK) All about pushing ahead of the game... The brilliant first episode was full of eureka moments. Feb 11, 2019 Full Review Benjamin H. Smith Decider While it might have made more sense to profile Iovine and Dre's lives separately, the basic device of telling them concurrently works, and Episode One holds your attention throughout. Dec 28, 2017 Full Review Ken Tucker Yahoo! TV The Defiant Ones works on almost every level: as a primer on the music industry, as gossip, as biography, as a time capsule of the 1980s, the 1990s, and the beginning of the 21st century. Dec 13, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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WHC I think this is a perfect demonstration of an artist who forgot where we came from. Dre spent the whole show trying to prove otherwise, but donated $70 million to USC to get his name on the building. How many kids from Compton go to USC? Rated 1 out of 5 stars 09/26/23 Full Review Audience Member you can learn so much from this. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member So well produced and put together, a gripping storyline. For all of those who are fans of hip hop and music in general this is a must. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Excellent star appeal, editing and music. Been a Dre fan for 25 years, but still learned a lot. Jimmy Iovine is maybe a more fascinating person... so well done. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review james b I think this is the best doc. iv ever seen Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review ma'ark t Good interviews from both Dre and Iovine who open up a lot more than they have in the past about their lives. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Defiant Ones — Miniseries

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Cast & Crew

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Dr. Dre

Self

Jimmy Iovine

Self

Bono

Self

David Geffen

Self

Nas

Self

Stevie Nicks

Self

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jul 9, 2017 Part 1 Dr. Dre's story begins in Compton, Calif., where his fascination with dance music, DJ innovations and sound leads him to become part of N.W.A.; Jimmy Iovine works his way up in the recording industry, building a reputation as a talented producer. Details Episode 2 Aired Jul 10, 2017 Part 2 N.W.A. evolves into a force to be reckoned with, but a series of calamities leaves Dr. Dre looking to make a fresh start; Jimmy continues to rise up the music ladder via successful collaborations with Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks. Details Episode 3 Aired Jul 11, 2017 Part 3 Jimmy begins a new career as co-founder of Interscope Records, cutting a deal with Death Row Records for Interscope to become the label's distributor; Dre, Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur become embroiled in a violent feud with East Coast rap rivals. Details Episode 4 Aired Jul 12, 2017 Part 4 After some disappointing solo releases, Dre's fortunes turn when Jimmy turns him onto the music of unknown white rapper Eminem; an opportune sit-down between Jimmy and Dre leads to the idea of Beats Electronics, vaulting the partners to new heights. Details

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The Defiant Ones — Miniseries

The Defiant Ones The Defiant Ones The Defiant Ones The Defiant Ones Photo Credit: Courtesy of HBO View more photos

Season Info

Director
Allen Hughes
Executive Producer
Allen Hughes, Doug Pray, Andrew A. Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Laura Lancaster, Jerry Longarzo, Michael Lombardo, Gene Kirkwood
Screenwriter
Allen Hughes, Lasse Järvi, Doug Pray
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Music, Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jul 9, 2017