Only the Strong Survive

Old bluesmen, unlike old soldiers, do not fade away. They keep on performing, as long as anyone wants to listen, and even afterwards. D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus meet up with veteran Motown musicians, talk with them, and record some of their performances.

Sometimes I can't comment usefully on a movie because it is so alien to me. Since I was going through adolescence at Motown's peak, it's just the opposite; I can't comment usefully because these are the songs and performers at a time when I was figuring out who I was, and so I am hopelessly biased in favor of them. Their performances seem just as strong as they ever did, and their time in the spotlight seems even more joyous than ever before.

But how grey and old they've gotten!

Taken from R&B pioneer Jerry Butler's most enduring hit, the title of this upbeat, soulful documentary provides an evolution of R&B in the cities across the nation where soul music flourished between 1960 and 1975.

Opening with 82 year old Rufus Thomas, referred to as Memphis' "Other King," he was still broadcasting his popular weekly program in Memphis, credited with giving soul music and R&B its start, moving on to Philadelphia, New York, Chicago and Detroit. A legend in his own right, as a disc jockey, Rufus was the first to play Elvis Presley records for black audiences.

Loaded with incredible concert footage, the performers prove that they can still enthrall audiences in an undiminished capacity years after their peak of popularity. The ageless Wilson Pickett is mesmerizing as ever on stage, while Jerry Butler croons a smooth love song. Sam Moore is truly electrifying, especially when he performs "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby." Isaac Hayes is honored, calling attention to his major role at Stax Records, where he wrote or co-wrote many of its major hits. Most touching is Rufus Thomas, who recently died at 84, in a duet with daughter Carla on "Night Time Is the Right Time." Sam Moore recalls his dark days as a drug pusher, and despite his age (and a triple bypass) Rufus Thomas delivers a dynamic performance (sadly, he died in December 2001, just as "Only the Strong Survive" was being completed for its premiere at Sundance).

This graceful film also showcases soul music legends Mary Wilson, the Chi-Lites, Carla Thomas and Ann Peebles, exuding a lack of bitterness and gratefulness for the good things and a relentless energy to continue on with their talents as the true artists that they are.

Released on the heels of Standing In the Shadows of Motown, Only the Strong Survive is an unfocused mess that, happily, still is worth a look if you're a fan of soul music in general or the Stax sound in particular. Even here, though, the film meanders from its path during a trip to Royal Studios and a pit stop in Chicago. The stories of Hi Records, Ann Peebles, The Chi-Lites, and Jerry Butler are all worth telling, but are diminished in the context of this film. And while it's nice to hear from ex-Supreme Mary Wilson, she's REALLY out of place here. As a film, this barely rates a 1, but thankfully there's plenty of that good old Southern soul stew on hand to keep things interesting. Of particular note are the performances of Sam Moore (When Something Is Wrong With My Baby always brings a tear to my eye), the much missed Rufus Thomas (Walkin' the Dog), and the aforementioned Ms. Peebles. Even the notoriously flaky Wilson Pickett delivers the goods here, though his ethnic wisecrack should have been left on the cutting room floor. One gets the feeling directors D. A. Pennebacker and Chris Hegedus basically filmed whatever came their way: there are huge gaps in the story (where's William Bell? Eddie Floyd? Booker T. and the M.G.s?), a dearth of archival footage (barring a rather tantalizing Carla Thomas clip), and a general lack of attention to detail. Stax deserves its own film, and sadly this ain't it.

Directors Chris Hegedes and D.A. Pennebaker's documentary, while not clarifying more about the musicians, evoke a bygone era and the glorious music these artists we see in the film gave us.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to the talented performers showcased in the film. They gave the American public, and the world at large, some of the best songs of the 20th century. Their stories are presented for their fans to cherish. We remember how great these artists were. These performers take us back to many hours of pure entertainment they gave to their adoring fans and how generous they were with their enormous talent.

We see in the movie giants of the popular music such as William Bell, Jerry Butler, The Chi-Lites, Isaac Hayes, Sam Moore, Ann Peebles, Wilson Pickett, Mary Wilson, Carla Thomas. among others.

Their stories and recollections are captured in the documentary. This is a film to cherish by all popular music lovers.

this is the music that shaped my teenage years. this is the music that taught me and showed me real emotion. i used to see some of these performers at the Apollo theater in Harlem- i was one of the few white cats who wandered up there. i cant remember another music documentary where the performers are more willing to hang their hearts and souls on their sleeves. and they are well past their performing prime, but not past their soul and their talent. please don't try and use standard movie ideas to dissect this movie. it is as heartful, soulful as human as you will ever see "performers" let us into their life. if you love this music, if you truly love this music, if you understand that this music was the bridge that took early "rock" (Bill Haley, Elvis) and gave it a fullness and a depth and a sophistication that laid the ground for everything to follow, see it IMMEDIATELY