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IMDbPro

Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

  • 20212021
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Mavis Staples in Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)
In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson presents a powerful and transporting documentary--part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was never seen and largely forgotten-until now. SUMMER OF SOUL shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present. The feature includes never-before-seen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension and more.
Play trailer1:59
8 Videos
38 Photos
  • Documentary
  • Music
Documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African-American music and culture and promoted Black pride and unity.Documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African-American music and culture and promoted Black pride and unity.Documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African-American music and culture and promoted Black pride and unity.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
11K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Questlove
  • Stars
    • Dorinda Drake
    • Barbara Bland-Acosta
    • Darryl Lewis
Top credits
  • Director
    • Questlove
  • Stars
    • Dorinda Drake
    • Barbara Bland-Acosta
    • Darryl Lewis
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 89User reviews
    • 122Critic reviews
    • 96Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 68 wins & 45 nominations total

    Videos8

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:59
    Official Trailer
    Official Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:02
    Official Teaser Trailer
    Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
    Trailer 2:02
    Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
    The Most Anticipated Movies and Shows to Stream in July 2021
    Clip 3:41
    The Most Anticipated Movies and Shows to Stream in July 2021
    Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
    Clip 1:56
    Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
    Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
    Clip 1:11
    Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
    Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
    Featurette 2:57
    Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

    Photos38

    The 5th Dimension in Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)
    Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples in Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)
    B.B. King in Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)
    Gladys Knight: May 28
    Questlove at an event for The Oscars (2022)
    Questlove at an event for The Oscars (2022)
    Questlove, Robert Fyvolent, Joseph Patel, and David Dinerstein at an event for The Oscars (2022)
    Questlove, Robert Fyvolent, Joseph Patel, and David Dinerstein at an event for The Oscars (2022)
    Questlove, Robert Fyvolent, Joseph Patel, and David Dinerstein at an event for The Oscars (2022)
    Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein at an event for Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)
    Questlove, Joshua L. Pearson, and Robert Fyvolent at an event for Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)
    Questlove (/name/nm0859821) at The IMDb Portrait Studio at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dorinda Drake
    Dorinda Drake
    • Self - Festival Attendee
    Barbara Bland-Acosta
    Barbara Bland-Acosta
    • Self - Festival Attendee
    Darryl Lewis
    Darryl Lewis
    • Self - Festival Attendee
    Ethel Beatty
    Ethel Beatty
    • Self - Festival Attendee
    • (as Ethel Beatty-Barnes)
    Al Sharpton
    Al Sharpton
    • Self - Minister & Activist
    • (as Reverend Al Sharpton)
    Allen Zerkin
    Allen Zerkin
    • Self - Former Assistant to Tony Lawrence
    Margot Edman
    Margot Edman
    • Self - Festival Production Assistant
    Alan Leeds
    Alan Leeds
    • Self - Music Manager & Executive
    Cyril 'Bullwhip' Innis Jr.
    Cyril 'Bullwhip' Innis Jr.
    • Self - Black Panther Party
    Hal Tulchin
    Hal Tulchin
    • Self - Director & Producer, Harlem Cultural Festival 1969
    Musa Jackson
    Musa Jackson
    • Self - Festival Attendee
    Billy Davis Jr.
    Billy Davis Jr.
    • Self - The 5th Dimension
    Marilyn McCoo
    Marilyn McCoo
    • Self - The 5th Dimension
    Adrienne Kryor
    Adrienne Kryor
    • Self - The Edwin Hawkins Singers
    Greg Tate
    Greg Tate
    • Self - Writer & Musician
    Charlayne Hunter-Gault
    Charlayne Hunter-Gault
    • Self - Former Reporter, The New York Times
    Jesse Jackson
    Jesse Jackson
    • Self - Minister & Activist
    • (as Reverend Jesse Jackson)
    Gladys Knight
    Gladys Knight
    • Self - Musician
    • Director
      • Questlove
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Harlem Cultural Festival comprised six concerts that took place between June 29 and August 24, 1969, in Marcus Garvey Park (at the time, Mount Morris Park), and attracted a combined in-person audience of 300,000.
    • Goofs
      The subtitle, "When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised," is incorrect. In 1969, the year the Harlem Cultural Festival concerts took place, two TV specials about them were shown: July 28, 1969 on CBS (while the concerts were still taking place) and September 16, 1969 on ABC.
    • Quotes

      Sly Stone: Don't wait for approval from your neighbor, because your neighbor might be waiting for you.

    • Crazy credits
      There is a scene after the end credits featuring Stevie Wonder and his band leader bantering back and forth on stage.
    • Connections
      Featured in CBS News Sunday Morning: Episode #43.26 (2021)
    • Soundtracks
      Drum Solo
      Written by Stevie Wonder
      Performed by Stevie Wonder
      Published by Jobete Music Co. Inc. on behalf of itself and Black Bull Music
      Licensed courtesy of Wonder Productions, Inc.
      Steve Wonder appears courtesy of Wonder Productions, Inc.

    User reviews89

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A Music And History Lesson With An Awesome Soundtrack
    Just an incredible documentary covering the Harlem Music Festival from 1969 with some great performances from some of the most famous jazz, soul, blues and gospel performers from the 60's. It uses never before seen archive footage with interviews of the musicians and attendees giving the documentary a raw and authentic feel transporting the viewer into a turbulent era marked by the Civil Rights Movement and some of the most legendary and everlasting music ever created.
    helpful•25
    4
    • minister_of_silly_walks
    • Jul 5, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 2, 2021 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Summer of Soul
    • Filming locations
      • Mount Morris Park, Harlem, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Mass Distraction Media
      • RadicalMedia
      • Vulcan Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,320,649
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $802,054
      • Jul 5, 2021
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,702,662
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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