Wattstax (1973)

Documentary covering a Stax Records-sponsored all-day concert at the 1972 Watts Summer Festival with performances by Stax Records artists such as Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, The Staples Singers, and more.

Director:

Mel Stuart

Stars:

The Dramatics, The Staple Singers, Kim Weston

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

watts | singer | african american | 1970s | inner city | 

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Taglines:

A soulful expression of the living word...

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Genres:

Documentary | Comedy | Music

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

PBS [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 November 1973 (West Germany)

Filming Locations:

Watts, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stax Records, Wolper Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

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.

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Connections

Featured in Undercover Brother (2002)

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Soundtracks

"What You See Is What You Get"
Performed by The Dramatics

User Reviews

The best music documentary of all time

My all time favorite music film, probably because it shows how soul was about so much more than music. Stirring performances (Isaac Hayes, The Emotions, Rance Allen Group) and hilarious running monologue from Richard Pryor (at his peak). Also some provocative social statements from Watts residents in the early '70s who speak out on race and romance. Catch it whenever you can---no VHS or DVD is available.