Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown

A propulsive, archive-rich portrait that lets the performances and testimony carry you through a remarkable rise.

Directed by

Alex Gibney

Genres

Music, Documentary

Starring

James Brown, Bootsy Collins, Chuck D

Overview

James Brown changed the face of American music forever. Abandoned by his parents at an early age, James Brown was a self-made man who became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, not just through his music, but also as a social activist. Charting his journey from rhythm and blues to funk, MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN features rare and previously unseen footage, photographs and interviews, chronicling the musical ascension of “the hardest working man in show business,” from his first hit, “Please, Please, Please,” in 1956, to his iconic performances at the Apollo Theater, the T.A.M.I. Show, the Paris Olympia and more.

How it feels

Earnest, uplifting, melancholic and tense. Brisk and needs your attention.

About

Music, race, ambition, identity

Content

Mild violence, sexual content and language. No gore.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)