Product Details

• Actors: Charles Malik Whitfield, D.B. Woodside, Terron Brooks, Christian Payton, Leon
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Lions Gate
• DVD Release Date: August 14, 2001
• Run Time: 150 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (335 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005NSXV
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,788 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Temptations" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The soap-opera career of Motown's most successful group, the Temptations, lends credence to the old belief that great art comes from troubled lives. Over three decades, the band struggled through numerous ego trips, countless members, broken relationships, coke addiction, alcoholism, suicide, cancer, deadly arthritis--in short, all the melodramatic devices necessary for a TV miniseries. This two-and-a-half-hour docudrama touches on all of these personal tragedies, but unfortunately forgets the real reason for the strength of the story: the music. Sure, there's wonderful reenactments of the quintet's finest material, such as "My Girl," "Just My Imagination," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" and "The Way You Do the Things You Do," all performed with the slick choreography and shimmering vocal harmonies that made the band legendary. But, unfortunately, director Allan Arkush (Rock and Roll High School) and writers Kevin Arkadie and Robert Johnson forget to put the music into any historical perspective. Why were the Temptations so important? What was their contribution to pop music? By watching this saccharine, manipulative exposé, you'd never know. The performances are nonetheless terrific, especially Charles Malik Whitfield as leader (and narrator) Otis Williams, D.B. Woodside as his partner, Melvin Franklin, and Leon as the group's talented livewire, David Ruffin. The DVD edition offers several fine features including 2.0 Dolby Surround Sound, a discography, cast and crew profiles, extensive production notes, and most important, the ability to jump to any of the seven songs performed... basically the main reason to watch this epic. --Dave McCoy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars FICTIONALIZED TEMPTATIONS STORY STILL PULLS AT HEARTSTRINGS, July 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Temptations [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Okay, I just want to warn everybody that I am I die-hard Temptations fan, so I am bound to be critical of this movie...For the most part, I had no problem with the casting of the film. David Ruffin, who is portrayed by the actor Leon, is absolutely incredible. Same for newcomer Christian Payton, who played the supremely talented but tragedy-bound Paul Williams. My problem with the film is that a lot of it was "based on fact" and not the true story of the group. Only a true Temptation fan would know that, for instance, when the Tempts reunited for their tour in the 1980's, they did not play the Copa. The Copa would not have been big enough to hold all the people that came out for that one night only appearance. It was at NYC'S Radio City Music Hall, which was sold out! I should know because I was there. Also Melvin Franklin did not die in Detroit at his mom's house. He died in a hospital in Los Angeles. And another thing, the fight scene between Paul and Al Bryant (Chaz Lamar Shepard) was somewhat twisted...what happened in reality was that Paul and the other Tempts were the ones who were tired and didn't want to do any more encores, and Al was the one who wanted to go back out on stage. Paul and Al argued about it, and Al then attacked Paul with the beer bottle...Well, even with all these faults, I still felt misty eyed by the end of the film. For new Tempts fans, I'd recommend it, but it's not the true story...we old Tempts fans are just glad to see something done on the greatest male R&B group EVER. Even with its faults, it's still an engaging film...especially the scene with the guys debuting at the Copa in '67. They really looked like the originals!!!!

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love This Movie! But Want the Uncut Version., March 7, 2000

By 

Tarcia Bush (Charlotte,NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Temptations [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This was truly one of the best movies I have ever seen. I stumbled upon it one Sunday night when it premiered and was hooked. I was not around during the height of their career, but was very familiar with their music. I am now a fan for life.

The lip synching, dancing, everything was so real. Terron Brooks (Eddie Kendricks) and Leon (David Ruffin) played their characters excellently! In fact, all of the characters were great!

I have watched this movie over and over again. You don't have to be a fan of the group or their music to find this movie entertaining.

But I would like to know why this movie was edited from the version that aired on T-V. If anyone has a copy of that version, please email me. I will gladly pay for a copy.

I highly recommend this movie for anyone! I loved it!

If you've seen it, my favorite line is Leon as David Ruffin telling "Otis" and "Melvin" why the group should be called David Ruffin and the Temptations... "ain't nobody comin' to see you Otis." I love the way he says that line.

Enjoy!

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two thumbs up for Leon and Christian Payton!!, May 1, 1999

By 

Noah Imanu Brown ([e-mail] (Champaign, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Temptations [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Oh my!!! This movie is a great review of the Temptations Legacy! I have to say, though, the television version (the longer version) captures some great and dramatic footage that the video doesn't. Take, for instance, when they were having the party at "Mama Rose's" house, and Paul started singing the song "For Once In My Life" while sloshy drunk. That scene was so dramatic and tear-jerking because even though I'm only 23 years old, I saw the Temptations with the Supremes on TCB and Paul tore that song up! His voice was so great on that show, y'all!! When he sang at the party, it was heart-breaking and tragic. You felt the stress and sorrow in his voice!! Anyway, the movie is fabulous. The actors really portray the Temptations well!!! Leon - the one who played David Ruffin - was exact and to the point. And some people don't know this, but on some of the songs, it was Leon's real voice! Songs like "Shout," and "Beauty's Only Skin Deep." Leon can sing, but I guess he prefers acting. All of the actors portrayed their characters well, but I have to give it to Leon and Christian Payton. Their portrayals of David Ruffin and Paul Williams were to a T. My being a singer myself, I would love to meet Christian Payton and sing a song with him. His voice is real good, and sounded so much like Paul's voice. Hopefully, the TV version will aire again, so we can see the WHOLE movie! Also, hopefully soon, Suzanne DePasse will come out with a movie on the Supremes. So many people are wondering about that. You know, the woman sitting by Melvin Franklin on the second Motor Town Review (from the movie) sipping on a drink while the song "Heatwave" was playing would be a good candidate for the character of Florence Ballard for the Supremes movie. She looks so much like her! Or Faith Evans could play Flo also... Anyway, back to the Temptations. Buy the video! It is worth it. It will mak you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you sing and rejoice, it will make you go out and buy albums from the Temptations! Two thumbs up and five stars for all of the actors, but mainly for Leon and Christian Payton. Because of the movie, Christian might land a record deal! Well, see you all and be blessed on today! Noah Imanu Brown [e-mail]