I mean...seriously...
I thought I was fairly familiar with most of thees songs....but the mark of a great documentary is hearing something familiar in a new and different way....
I mean....the way they break down the arrangement of The Temptation's " My Girl" is a revelation....hearing those classical music arrangements...they were there the whole time and I never noticed it.....that's what this film does.....as Bill Hader's Stephane character would say..." It Has Everything"
My only beef...and it's a small one...is that the story ends mid-70's....so they don't even touch disco....or losing the Jacksons....no mention of the second wave of Motown in the mid-80's ....but then this would have to have been a mini-series...
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Hitsville: The Making of Motown
2019
Documentary / Music

Hitsville: The Making of Motown
2019
Documentary / Music
Synopsis
Documentary film that focuses on the period beginning with the birth of Motown in Detroit in 1958 until its relocation to Los Angeles in the early 1970s. The film tracks the unique system that Gordy assembled that enabled Motown to become the most successful record label of all time. The creation and initial success of Motown was achieved during a period of significant racial tensions in America and amid the burgeoning civil rights movement.
Uploaded By: FREEMAN
October 17, 2019 at 09:03 AM
Director
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
Who Doesn't Love These Songs?
Wow! Talk About Amazing Talent!
Motown was the greatest assembly of musicians that the world has ever heard. Their music transcended time, cultures, generations and ethnicities. To this day it remains as some of the most popular and captivating music ever recorded. I loved watching the making of the music and especially the clips of the live performances. Little Stevie Wonder, Little Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, The Temptations. The list goes on and on. Detroit will forever be known as Motown.
Early Motown 101
There have been a number of music documentaries that have covered the era in focus but I give this documentary high praise not just for presentation but on the focus of what actually drove Barry Gordy to start the Motown enterprise and to grow it.
Let me explain upfront I don't have the musical background or training required for making a truly honest assessment of the documentary but being that much of the focus is on the human element behind the music I can point out some key things.
On the entrepreneurial side, learning from failures, perseverance, belief in oneself, and having a vision is embedded in the story. Having everyone in the enterprise share that vision and understand it even more so.
I appreciate how he gives his parents credit for raising him with the values needed to be a success. Civil rights is discussed but ultimately having a vision that is color blind is shown to be more important. The diversity he brought to his enterprise and the use of everyone's talents shines through as well.
The music is great too and making wish there was a Motown collection that I can purchase or a soundtrack to the documentary with all the full songs on it.
It is a helpful watch for anyone considering starting a business regardless of field. Barry Gordy shares credit with Smoky Robinson and others but for me it was clear he was the one driving the train..
P.S. Looking forward to comments from professional in the industry as well.