Muscle Shoals

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Muscle Shoals

PG,

2013,

1h 51m,

Documentary

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Watchlist

97%

86 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

86 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Filmmaker Greg Camalier pays tribute to an Alabama city that holds a prominent place in music history. Artists who recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala., include Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

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Critics Consensus

Essential for soul fans and entertaining for novices, Muscle Shoals offers a compelling, warts-and-all glimpse at one of the most fascinating stories in modern American music.

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Brad Newsome

Sydney Morning Herald

Feb 12, 2020

It's fitting that the first track we hear in this celebratory but emotionally dappled documentary is Wilson Pickett's Land of 1000 Dances. The rich, elemental energy of the recording encapsulates what would become known as the Muscle Shoals sound.

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Noah Berlatsky

The Atlantic

Aug 28, 2019

Even with its disappointments, Muscle Shoals can't help but make a hopeful sound.

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David Hinckley

New York Daily News

Apr 21, 2014

4/5

Hall's backstory, riddled with tragedy, gets the proper attention and respect here. But it's the music that won't let you stop watching.

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Carla Renata

The Curvy Film Critic

Mar 24, 2026

MUSCLE SHOALS is a documentary that lefts the veil off of a part of American music history only privy to those musicians and artists lucky enough to record there

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Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

Nov 4, 2020

2.5/5

There is no doubt a variety of editorially rhythmic issues breakdown the musical flow of Muscle Shoals, but endure the touch and go structure and you'll find a wealth of rock 'n' roll history within.

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Andrew Martin

The New York Review of Books

Mar 13, 2019

There is an over-reliance on commentary by platitude-spouting rock stars...but the film's great virtue is that it will introduce and remind viewers of the wonderfully varied trove of music that came out of these studios.

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Mar 9, 2019

Most captivating documentary I have seen. Amazing story of a town of less than 10,000 could produce so many talented musicians that would be heard all around the world and itï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)s just an example of one thing you assume turns out to be something far different. Country white folks playing R and B and Blues that anyone would believe to be Afro Americans. More importantly itï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)s about how relationships between the races can be mutually respectful and once this happens how beneficial it truly becomes to all. Amazing story!!!

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Anakin M

Oct 5, 2017

Fascinating doco of a studio responsible for some of the greatest music ever

Hermione W

Jul 28, 2017

Interesting look at one specific studio and how much great music came out of it. A little repetitive but at least the soundtrack is awesome.

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Finn S

Sep 29, 2013

Shortly after streaming this music documentary I also streamed The Wrecking Crew. I have rated this one a full star higher because every part of it is simply a step above that other rock doc. The studio session musicians at the center of this doc produced more essential tracks for more hit records and artists. The storytelling aspect is more interesting with great interview clips and archival materials. FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama was ambitiously, independently managed by Rick Hall. It is thrilling if you only know the big name singers/bands who recorded songs at FAME to get a behind the scenes peek and meet the work horse session musicians who are actually responsible for the sounds we know and love.

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Greg "Freddy" Camalier

Director

Stephen Badger

Self

Aretha Franklin

Self

Jerry Carrigan

Self

Alicia Keys

Self

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Self

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Parental Guidance: Non-Stop, Plus Gravity, Thor: The Dark World and Muscle Shoals

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Parental Guidance: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 and Baggage Claim

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Greg Camalier pays tribute to an Alabama city that holds a prominent place in music history. Artists who recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala., include Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Director: Greg "Freddy" Camalier
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Ear Goggles
Rating: PG (Smoking|Language|Brief Partial Nudity|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 27, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $695.6K
Runtime: 1h 51m

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