Customer Reviews

The Temptations [VHS]

5 star:		(280)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

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!!!!

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!

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 Singer4Jesus@hotmail.com

This is a lengthy, made for television, feature film that runs nearly three hours. The time will zoom by, as this is an engaging, well-acted production about one of Motown's earliest successes, "The Temptations". The story of this group is told primarily through the eyes of Otis Williams, one of its founding fathers and the true linchpin of the group, as well as its last surviving member. The film details the group's struggle for success from its down and out early days to the pinnacle of success and its eventual induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The songs that propelled "The Temptations" to stardom are capably lip-synched by its talented cast. The viewer sees the beginning of the group in the nineteen fifties and its subsequent rise to fame and fortune. After being signed up by Motown, the future of "The Temptations" was almost assured, given the resources that Motown's music mogul, Barry Gordy, allotted to their development. Once they were a success, crossover was inevitable for such a talented group, and "The Temptations" became a huge hit in mainstream America.

The film details the personal highs and lows of the individual members of the group. Alcoholism, drug use, egotism, and other personal travails would plague its members and, consequently, the group. At times, the group would appear to be on the verge of a total split, especially when its cocaine craving, lead singer, David Ruffin, began making ego fueled demands. Still, the temptations endured, because no one member was bigger than the group. They began as a group, and it is the group that would endure. Though individual members would come and go, the group itself always remained "The Temptations".

This is an excellent bio pic with great music. It is a film that is worthy of being in one's personal collection.

I think I am The biggest fan of the movie. It was too good to be true. I watch it every day, and my whole family has gotten hooked on it. i fell in love with all of them but I especially like Eddie Kendricks(Terron Brooks), I wish I could find out more about him. He played the part too good. wherever you are Terron, Please e-mail me. You are the greatest actor ever. The whole movie made cry and laugh. I could never get tired of it. The unedited version was much better. i wish they would play it again. I congragulate Christian Payton and Leon for playing your parts so well. The singing justs makes me melt. Whomever choose the actors i congrgulate you also. This movie will be next to me forever. It made me want to find out about the real Temptations. I'mplanning on buying the book and their other videos. I already have the CD's. Everyone out there should see this movie and how great it is. NDelco100@excite.com

Good to see this film on DVD...there are many copies of the video that are selling that show only the edited version of this movie. I wasn't even aware that parts of the film were cut out when it was released on video; quite a few people mentioned that they didn't get the movie in its entirety when they ordered their copies of the VHS. I was one of the fortunate ones who had the entire miniseries in tact. Needless to say, many people who unknowingly brought the edited VHS were disappointed.

But on DVD, the entire movie is included, with a few extra treats as well. I already reviewed this movie anonymously here on Amazon about two years ago, so I don't see the need to review it again. I will just say it's a very good biopic - even though much about this is fictionalized and very biased, because you only get only one side of the Temptations' story - Otis'. However, it has that wonderful Motown music that the world loves, and stunning performances. If you decide to get this, take it from me, DVD is the way to go.

A fantastically well-written T.V mini seires that explores the troubled lives of each of The Temptations and their rise and fall on the music scene. The Temptations were one of Motowns hottest and most versatile acts with their carefully planned chorography on stage and their diverse ranmge of shimmering harmonies on record. An interesting aspect of the series early sequences are when they are first introduced to Motown Records and its fun to see portrayals of the great Motown legends such as Diana Ross, Martha Reeves, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson. Interestingly enough Diana Ross' daughter, Rhonda Ross makes an apperance in the film playing the troubled Paul Williams wife. The sequences where the group are seen performing Papa Was A Rolling Stone and Paul Williams is about to shoot himself are moving and the funeral is sure to get a lump in your throat (where Smokey Robinson himself appears). The film also carefully chronicles David Ruffins fall from grace as he steadily declined into cocaine addiction andalso continually mentally and physically tortued his wife, Tammi Terrell. The ending sees the grop reunirted when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
The performances are excellent, the 60's ambience such as the nightclubs and drug culture are superbly evoked and the stage performances are mastered to perfection. Recommended.

Wow!! This DVD is awesome. I have watched it quite a few times since receiving. Yes, it's a story of The Temptations but it's more than just a story...these guys were, and still are, a masterpiece in music. They conquered odds unlike anything you see today and they did it with dignity and pride. Yes, there were times when things went a bit haywire but the group maintained it's level of great music and entertainment. The acting is superb! The songs they perform bring back such good memories.

This is one DVD that will remain in my collection forever. If you're a fan of Motown you'll love this DVD. If you're not a fan, you will be one after watching this.

To The Temptations: Thanks for giving us the best music ever!

Since the movie came out in 1998 on the network television, I was right there to watch the 2 part mini-series. But due to the fact that one of the nights it aired Monday Night Football was on and I was switching channels back and forth. I did get to see most of this movie and hoped it would come out on video, well what do you know? I just bought a copy last week 10/15/99 and I have watched 6 to 8 times already, it just excites me to hear those sweet tunes. This is a movie to see and make you feel you were there with Otis, Melvin, Eddie, Paul Williams, and even David Ruffin. Otis Williams, I wish I could meet him someday. To go through all the good and bad and to hang in there was the greatest part. His heart and determination never made him quit,even if he thought about quitting he never did. I can't wait to read the book, but the movie is great due to the songs that are on the movie. I just love those oldies: "My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud", "Just My Imagination" plus the others. I'll probably see it again tonight and the next until I get all the albums. I love you guys and hope the Lord continues to Bless The Temptations. Temptations Forever.....

I wasn't able to watch the movie when it aired on NBC. But I purchased the DVD a year ago and fell in love with the movie. Watching actor Leon portrayed David Ruffin's character was wonderful and somewhat spooky. He played that role to a tee. Leon sounded like David, had the same mannerism as David that it was so amazing.
I was proud at the performances by all the actors in the movie. Even though she had a small part, I was proud of Rhonda Ross Kendrick who is Diana Ross' and Berry Gordy's daughter who played Maxine, Paul's wife, I was proud of her performance as well.
Sure there were inconsistencies in the movie. Yes, the producers of the movies should have let the audience, particularly the younger audiences know what happened to the lives of these wonderful, yet troubled men who made up the Tempting Temptations.
(...)want to know about all that, read Otis' book or do research for yourself. But other than that, the movie was excellent in my book. The choreography in this movie was OUTSTANDING. The music was fantastic and the costumes was fabulous.
I would recommend this movie wholeheartedly. Yes, in some ways this movie is factual as well as fictional, but it is still worth watching and it will make you go out and read the book and do your own research about this fantastic group who will always be the number one in my book.