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Wattstax (1973)

R  98 min  -  Documentary | Comedy | Music   -  23 November 1973 (West Germany)
7.4
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Ratings: 7.4/10 from 392 users   Metascore: 81/100 
Reviews: 18 user | 17 critic | 8 from Metacritic.com

Documentary about african-american singers like Isaac Hayes and Rufus Thomas.

Director:

Mel Stuart

Stars:

The Dramatics, Staple Singers and Kim Weston
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3 photos | 1 video | 4 news articles | full cast and crew »

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Nominated for Golden Globe. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
The Dramatics The Dramatics ...
Themselves
Staple Singers Staple Singers ...
Themselves (as The Staples Singers)
Kim Weston Kim Weston ...
Herself
Jimmy Jones Jimmy Jones ...
Himself
Rance Allen Rance Allen ...
Himself
The Emotions The Emotions ...
Themselves
William Bell William Bell ...
Himself
Louise McCord Louise McCord ...
Herself
Debra Manning Debra Manning ...
Herself
Eric Mercury Eric Mercury ...
Himself
Freddy Robinson Freddy Robinson ...
Himself
Lee Sain Lee Sain ...
Himself
Ernie Hines Ernie Hines ...
Himself
Sonny Warner Sonny Warner ...
Himself (as Little Sonny Warner)
The Newcomers The Newcomers ...
Themselves
Full cast and crew »
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Storyline

Documentary with a selection from a non-stop 7-hour musical event at Watts, the Los Angeles Coliseum, August 20, 1972. It's a sort of Woodstock event but with black artists, namely the groups Dramatics, Staple Singers, Rance Allen Group, Emotions, Bar Kays, Mel & Tim. Written by Artemis-9  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Watts | Singer | African American | 1970s | Inner City  | See more »

Taglines:

A soulful expression of the living word... See more »

Genres:

Documentary | Comedy | Music

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Official Sites:

PBS [United States] | Add/edit official sites  »

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(West Germany) See more »

Filming Locations:

Watts, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stax Records, Wolper Productions See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Stax Records, which promoted the concert, insisted that only African-American police officers be used for security. The company also insisted that the film crew be all African-American as well. See more »

Connections

Featured in "Laserdisc Memories: The Criterion Collection (#1.4)" (2010) See more »

Soundtracks

"Someone Greater Than You & I"
Performed by Jimmy Jones See more »