Wattstax

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Wattstax

R,

1973,

1h 43m,

Documentary/

Music

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90%

40 Reviews

Tomatometer

90%

500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

In 1972 at the Los Angeles Coliseum, director Mel Stuart captures the performances of the Watts Summer Festival. Organized by Stax Records, the festival is a gathering of musicians and entertainers from the black community, brought together to remember the Watts Riots from seven years prior. Key performances include those of comedian Richard Pryor, and singers Isaac Hayes and Luther Ingram. Stuart also presents shots of the Watts streets and community along with the festival footage.

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Critics Consensus

From the stage to the street, Wattstax brilliantly captures a musical moment -- and a poignantly passionate response to painful social upheaval.

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Ann Guarino

New York Daily News

Dec 18, 2020

3/4

All [the performers] draw lively reactions from the crowd who get to chant, "I am somebody." And isn't that all what we want to be?

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Dec 18, 2020

It is a fine documentary in that it does, better than any popular music film with the possible exception of Woodstock, document a group of people, their music, how it came to be, and why they like it.

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Dennis Hunt

Los Angeles Times

Dec 18, 2020

This is a fragmented, skittery film that does not have enough moments of interest and hilarity to offset the stretches of boredom.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Feb 27, 2023

It’s a memorable display of African-American pride—and extravagant 1970s sartorial style—that also makes room for such leading Black cultural figures of the moment as Richard Pryor, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee and Melvin Van Peeble...

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Candice Russell

Miami Herald

Dec 18, 2020

Simply as a means of recording the fruition of hope among a centuries-maligned minority Wattstax can stand proud.

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Han G

Apr 11, 2018

Black people of america, I Love You

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Mel Stuart

Director

James Alexander

Actor

Raymond Allen

Actor

Isaac Hayes

Actor

Luther Ingram

Actor

Jesse Jackson

Actor

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Synopsis

In 1972 at the Los Angeles Coliseum, director Mel Stuart captures the performances of the Watts Summer Festival. Organized by Stax Records, the festival is a gathering of musicians and entertainers from the black community, brought together to remember the Watts Riots from seven years prior. Key performances include those of comedian Richard Pryor, and singers Isaac Hayes and Luther Ingram. Stuart also presents shots of the Watts streets and community along with the festival footage.

Director: Mel Stuart
Producer: Mel Stuart, Larry Shaw
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Stax Records, Wolper Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 4, 1973, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 18, 2016
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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