Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2039 in VHS
• Released on: 1999-03-23
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 150 minutes

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

FICTIONALIZED TEMPTATIONS STORY STILL PULLS AT HEARTSTRINGS
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!!!!

In Love With Temptations
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

I Love This Movie! But Want the Uncut Version.
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!