Only the Strong Survive

ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE (2003) *** Featuring: William Bell,

Jerry Butler, The Chi-Lites, Isaac Hayes, Sam Moore, Ann Peebles, Wilson Pickett, Sir Mack Rice, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Mary Wilson. Entertaining documentary by vets Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker focusing on the pioneering r&b, soul & pop singers and musicians of Stax records among others thru interviews interspersed with the still on-fire performers in action on stage and in concert. Note: the film is dedicated to Rufus Thomas who passed away shortly prior to the film's release.

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.

Seeing all these familiar faces and hearing all of those familiar tunes was a trip back to an exciting time in American music. The most difficult part of watching this movie was to control the urge to sing along and to keep my fingers from snapping and my hands from applauding. Several others in the audience couldn't fight those urges!

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!