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You won't be disappointed!

Such a frustrating disappointment

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Directors Chris Hegedes and D.A. Pennebaker's documentary, while not clarifying more about the musicians, evoke a bygone era and the glorious music these artists we see in the film gave us.We owe a great debt of gratitude to the talented performers showcased in the film. They gave the American public, and the world at large, some of the best songs of the 20th century. Their stories are presented for their fans to cherish. We remember how great these artists were. These performers take us back to many hours of pure entertainment they gave to their adoring fans and how generous they were with their enormous talent.We see in the movie giants of the popular music such as William Bell, Jerry Butler, The Chi-Lites, Isaac Hayes, Sam Moore, Ann Peebles, Wilson Pickett, Mary Wilson, Carla Thomas. among others.Their stories and recollections are captured in the documentary. This is a film to cherish by all popular music lovers.

this is the music that shaped my teenage years. this is the music that taught me and showed me real emotion. i used to see some of these performers at the Apollo theater in Harlem- i was one of the few white cats who wandered up there. i cant remember another music documentary where the performers are more willing to hang their hearts and souls on their sleeves. and they are well past their performing prime, but not past their soul and their talent. please don't try and use standard movie ideas to dissect this movie. it is as heartful, soulful as human as you will ever see "performers" let us into their life. if you love this music, if you truly love this music, if you understand that this music was the bridge that took early "rock" (Bill Haley, Elvis) and gave it a fullness and a depth and a sophistication that laid the ground for everything to follow, see it IMMEDIATELY

ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE (2003) *** Featuring: William Bell,Jerry Butler, The Chi-Lites, Isaac Hayes, Sam Moore, Ann Peebles, Wilson Pickett, Sir Mack Rice, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Mary Wilson. Entertaining documentary by vets Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker focusing on the pioneering r&b, soul & pop singers and musicians of Stax records among others thru interviews interspersed with the still on-fire performers in action on stage and in concert. Note: the film is dedicated to Rufus Thomas who passed away shortly prior to the film's release.

A lot of different snipets make up the whole of this documentary, which is somewhat confusing and leaves us with a pretty anti- climatic ending. But the stories, voices and music more than make up for it. I was particularly impressed with the beautiful voice of Carla Thomas, and Issac Hayes just might be the coolest cat on the face of the Earth. Rufus Thomas and the radio show are good for more than a few laughs.If you like Soul music and its history, this one is certainly worth a look. 8/10.