23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Moving Experience for Me, February 25, 2004
"Only the Strong Survive" features the late Rufus Thomas, daughter Carla Thomas, Mary Wilson, the incredible and incorrigible Wilson Pickett, Jerry Butler, Ann Peebles, The Chi-Lites, Isaac Hayes, and the man I first fell in love with when I was seven, Sam Moore, who used to be half of the group Sam & Dave. This isn't documentary storytelling like "Standing in the Shadows of Motown", but don't let anyone tell you it's not as good! For me, these were the people that infused my soul from babyhood, and at various times I found myself talking to the TV, restless, and totally caught up in the music.
I have to correct the editorial, Eugene Record wasn't with the group in this film, and hasn't been with the group for about fifteen years. He seems to be happy in gospel music these days. But as far as the Chi-Lites go, I wish they could have done "We Are Neighbors (whether we want to be or not)" It's a song the world needs to hear right now, next to "Power to the People".
The one standout performance for me was of course Sam's; his story is alternately tragic and uplifting, and as far as his performance goes, Jesus Christ, by the time he'd finished I was almost crying. I knew the song instantly, and it was as if thirty-five years hadn't gone by at all.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Live Performances, Not Great Documentary, April 27, 2005
Let me say first that the performances themselves of the artists presented here are unianimously fantastic, and deserve repeated viewing. If you are a fan of soul music, and want to see the talented singers doing their great shows still somewhere before the excited audiences, this film is for you. And I really enjoyed the music part of the film.
Unfortunately, very few archive footages are used, and there is no James, Smokey, or Aretha. But the live performances (mainly from the year 1999-2000) are all wonderful. The artists recorded here include, Jerry Butler, The Chi-Lites, Isaac Hayes, Sam Moore, Ann Pebbles, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Wilson Pickett, and Mary Wilson. They all sing one song or two before the very lucky audiences.
But you may ask me, Why three stars. Oh, it's because of the directors, who do not show the due respect to the history of the soul music itself. D. A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus do not know which they want to make, documentary or live music recording. It seems (and probably is) that the crew only recorded whatever they can quickly, and put the footages together. How can they put Mary Wilson (ex-Supremes) and Isaac Hayes in the same film without explaining the history of the soul music? I don't see the point of putting them together except that they are both great artists.
Still some moments are very touching to see. Sam Moore reveals his painful past while he was selling illegal stuff on the street around 1973, and it's joyful to see Carla Thomas and Rufus Thomas having good time together.
As documentary 'Only the Strong Survive' is never informative. You see this movie, and your knowledge about this great music doesn't change. Still, the live performances from the recorded artists are all dynamic and thrilling. Though you might find Wilson Pickett, when off stage, a bit too talkative, his singing ('Land of 1000 Dances' and 'In the Midnight Hour') on the stage is really exciting even more than 30 years after they became the hits. Watch these great live acts, and enjoy them.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
LOVED IT!!, July 23, 2004
I thought this was a great documentary and the performances were awesome. Compared to a lot of the programs that have been cropping up on PBS featuring performers from the 50s, 60s etc. I felt the folks in this documentary essentially left all others in the dust. What a gifted bunch...as vital, lively and talented as they were thirty years ago. And, oh boy, to see the "Memphis Queen" Carla Thomas again... See this!!
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