Product Details

• Actors: Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman
• Directors: Jeffrey C. Sherman, Gregory V. Sherman
• Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Unknown)
• Subtitles: Spanish, English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: November 30, 2010
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B003TVTRY2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,698 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What songwriters' tunes have been covered by John Coltrane, Annette Funicello, Ringo Starr, Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Louis Prima, and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, among others? Consider yourself an expert if your answer is Robert and Richard Sherman, whose long, fruitful, and often contentious partnership is chronicled in The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story. The fact that this documentary by directors Jeff and Gregory Sherman (sons of Robert and Richard, respectively) was released under the imprimatur of the Walt Disney Company, for whom "the Boys" did their most renowned work, is an indication that this isn't exactly a hard-hitting exposé; although the estrangement between Bob and Dick, as they were known, isn't ignored ("We perpetrated a façade for 50 years," says one), far more attention is given to the music. That's precisely as it should be. Talking heads like Van Dyke, Andrews, Randy Newman, Ben Stiller, and Hayley Mills help tell the tale of lyricist Bob and composer Dick, who were themselves the sons of a successful songwriter, Al Sherman. They began writing together in the early '50s, scored a hit with Funicello's "Tall Paul" late in that decade (Annette is also seen here singing "Monkey's Uncle," backed by none other than the Beach Boys), and soon became staff writers for Walt Disney. Major successes followed, including an Oscar-winning score for Mary Poppins and songs for The Jungle Book, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and others; they also wrote pop hits like "You're Sixteen" (a hit for Ringo in the '70s), and can take credit (or blame, depending on one's point of view) for "It's a Small World," one of the planet's most ubiquitous songs. The documentary has its flaws--it's overlong at 102 minutes, and the brothers' eventual estrangement, which continues to this day, is attributed to their opposite personalities (Bob, who served in World War II, is quieter and more dour than his volatile younger brother) but not really explained. Still, the music, and there's lots of it, is very well handled, especially in a terrific bonus feature called "Sherman Brothers Jukebox," which details the creation of several Sherman classics. --Sam Graham

Product Description

The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story is an intimate journey through the lives of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman, the astoundingly prolific, Academy Award®-winning songwriting team that defined family musical entertainment for five decades with unforgettable songs like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocous” from Mary Poppins, “I Wanna Be Like You” from The Jungle Book and the most translated song ever written "It’s a Small World (After All)" from the Disneyland attraction.  The feature-length documentary, conceived, produced and directed by two of the songwriters’ sons, take audiences behind the scenes of the Hollywood magic factory and offers a rate glimpse of a unique creative process at work.  It also explores a deep and longstanding rift that has kept the brothers personally estranged throughout much of their unparalleled professional partnership

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent movie.....some of the facts seem a bit re-imaged...for effect October 16, 2010

By Richardson TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie in the theater and plan on purchasing the DVD for the ability to watch it again and again and for the bonus features which appear plentiful. The set up of Richard Sherman as the light weight,melody minded Paul McCartney type and Robert as the more thoughtful and brooding John Lennon type who carries the trauma of war throughout his career came across as a bit contrived and not matching the record if one cares to investigate further.

There is no doubt that these two amazing artists , Richard the musician and wordsmith and Robert, his lyrical foil, have contributed more catchy and wonderful tunes than almost any other pair in recent history. The music of the Sherman Brothers is deceptively simple and quite intelligent. There is an excellent 2 cd set available on Amazon.com which highlights their music and a recent guitar tribute Poppin' Guitars : A Tuneful of Sherman (CD/DVD) also available on Amazon.com which also demonstrates that even without lyrics their tunes are ridiculously memorable.

If you are a fan of classic Disney scores and or great song writing I'd recommend this movie...just realize that dramatic license is taken in the story which was most likely the only way it could be sold ...sad that their amazing volume of work wasn't enough on its own. The score is also very emotional and features Richard M Sherman on piano ...much of this score can be heard on his recently released CDForgotten Dreams which I would also recommend.

From Mary Poppins, to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, to hits like "You're Sixteen" and classic park songs like "Its a Small World After All" the Sherman Brothers music has brought joy to millions around the world and this movie (directed by their sons) Is certainly worth your attention if you have any interest in any of this...

UPDATE: I just received the DVD and WOW...the bonus features are plentiful and wonderful! Obviously when the directors cut the film they had interviews and more importantly archival film to spare and much of it has landed in a series of very informative and entertaining bonus features...which even include an extensive JUKEBOX of classic songs with clips of the boys in archival footage playing many of them and discussing their creation...THIS is why we buy DVDs...not just for the films but the extra goodies that make these things heirlooms!

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must see for any Disney Fan August 8, 2010

By Puppenstein

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Although I am a huge Disney fan, I honestly had no idea that the relationship between the brothers was so strained. Not only is this documentary a great chronicle of all of their wonderful catchy songs, it is a great account of their backgrounds, family lives, and professional lives. It is evident that the strain of their relationship is particularly hard on Richard and both of their families. There are many touching parts that will leave you in tears but regardless, you get to know the two wonderful boys that many of us only thought we knew. I will never watch one of the movies or stage productions with their songs without really appreciating their efforts again. It is my wish that the brothers take whatever time they have left to reconcile and appreciate each other for who they are.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sherman Brothers Minus the Sugar Coating October 19, 2010

By Blondzilla8 VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

I saw this documentary when it was in too-limited release two summers ago. I have been a lifelong Disney fan which of course means that the Sherman Brothers have been a huge part of my constitution since I saw "Mary Poppins" when I was three years old.

Most Baby Boomers consider the music and songs of the Sherman Brothers as the soundtrack of our childhood, and I distinctly recall playing my Disney Song Collection LP (purchased with a tank of gas at Gulf!) and can still rattle off the order of the song line up. And 95% of the songs were written and composed by the Sherman Brothers.

"the boys" gives fans of this talented duo an intimate look into what took place behind the scenes of not only their years at Disney but in their personal lives as well. I was surprised at just how SAD this story is; we all grew up hearing such happiness come from these talented siblings, but what happened when they weren't collaborating on their music on the Disney lot will really astound any fan who believes that Richard and Robert's lives have always been as sweet and simple as "a spoon full of sugar."

Adding to the depth of this interesting bio-pic are the original tunes composed by Richard M. Sherman (short-sightedly considered the light-weight "Tigger" of the duo). Haunting, melodic, and a way for him to break away from the happy-go-lucky music with which he's always associated, if you are a fan of the Shermans, you absolutely must hear the album of these never-before heard melodies played by this deep soul. I was SO pleased to discover that these songs were available on their own on the wonderful CD, "Forgotten Dreams." Forgotten Dreams

I enjoyed this documentary very much - particularly the interviews with family members as well as some of our favorite performers who got to work with the brothers. As uncomfortable as it was to hear and see the angst and sadness between these two men and their families, "the boys" definitely gives its viewers a new lens from which to look at this amazing songwriting team.

** On an additional note for Sherman Brothers fans - Another reviewer mentioned Poppin' Guitars : A Tuneful of Sherman (CD/DVD) and while it's a great review, they forgot to mention that the bonus DVD features a lot of great Richard M. Sherman footage interacting with the guitarists, discussing his songwriting, and sharing some interesting anecdotes in a much more laid back and casual environment than we've seen him before. Great stuff on this extra DVD and worth checking out.

After watching "the boys," you can't help but wonder if maybe the friction between them and rubbing up against each other so often was an important part of their process in creating the "diamonds" we all have enjoyed and appreciated for the past five decades.

A must-see for ANY Disney or Sherman Brothers fan.

Just make sure you've got some Kleenex handy.