IMDb > The Howlin' Wolf Story (2003)

The Howlin' Wolf Story (2003) More at IMDbPro »

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   60 votes
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Director:

Don McGlynn

Release Date:

4 November 2003 (USA) more

Genre:

Documentary more

Plot Keywords:

User Comments:

the REAL story of the blues more (4 total)

Cast

 
Chester Burnett ... Himself (archive footage)
Marshall Chess ... Himself

Mick Jagger ... Himself (archive footage)
Brian Jones ... Himself (archive footage)
Sam Lay ... Himself
Sam Phillips ... Himself
Keith Richards ... Himself (archive footage)
Hubert Sumlin ... Himself
Charlie Watts ... Himself (archive footage)
Bill Wyman ... Himself (archive footage)

Directed by
Don McGlynn 
 
Cinematography by
Frank Axelsen 
 

Distributors

Additional Details

Parents Guide:

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Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA more

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User Comments

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4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful.
the REAL story of the blues, 3 October 2005
10/10
Author: subway_smith from United States

should be required viewing by anyone with any interest in any type of rock music. Mr. Wolf is not only my choice as the single most important blues artist of the 20th century, he was also the most exciting live performer in any musical genre; Hendrix, the Stones and Iggy Pop combined might qualify as a decent opening act for Wolf. Mere words can not explain the power, excitement and explosive force that was Howlin Wolf. A unique and captivating singer, a strong harp player, a woefully underrated guitarist and a historically important songwriter; add all of that to the incredible live performances and you have the king of blues (and rock) artists.

The film captured a handful of surviving bandmembers (hubert sumlin, jody williams, sam lay) and mixed in some great archival footage of folks ranging from Muddy Waters to Son House to Brian Jones (his "How-LING Wolf" intro on Shindig was good for a laugh). Wolf is easily at the top of my list of artists I regret not seeing in person, but this film did a good job of giving us the next best thing. If it comes up short in any area, it doesn't offer that much actual live performance footage. But the 50s/60s era bluesmen were completely ignored by USA television during this time, so little or NO commercial footage exists for these extremely important musicians. Fortunately, the American Film Blues Festival (1962 to 1969) brought many of these artists over to Europe for an annual tour that was regularly filmed for Euro television audiences. A three volume DVD set has been released in the past couple of years and volume 2 has an incredible 3 song segment by Wolf. The "Howlin Wolf Story" and all 3 volumes of the AFBF series might be the best return on $60 imaginable.

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