Product Description

Follows the career of the African American singing sensation of the 60s, The Temptations.
No Track Information Available
Media Type: DVD
Artist: BROOKS/PAYTON
Title: TEMPTATIONS
Street Release Date: 12/21/2004
Domestic
Genre: DRAMA

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2365 in DVD
• Brand: BROOKS/PAYTON
• Released on: 2001-08-14
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 150 minutes

Amazon.com
Conceived as a television miniseries, this portrait of the epochal Motown vocal group scores as one of the most detailed re-creations of the '60s pop milieu ever filmed. Told largely through the eyes of founding member Otis Williams (Charles Malik Whitfield), The Temptations portrays its protagonists as soul Everymen whose early triumphs closely followed, and helped expand, Motown Records' emergence as "the Sound of Young America," providing an inspirational fable for black Americans.

Inevitably, of course, the story is also a cautionary tale about the price of success for both the Temps and their mentor, Motown founder Berry Gordy (Obba Babatunde). With hit records and tours, Williams and his partners grapple with drugs, alcohol, depression, jealousy, and delusions of grandeur. In particular, the galvanic lead singer David Ruffin (Leon) serves as both a focal strength and potential destroyer for the group, as his ego combines with a mounting cocaine habit to create a monster. At the same time, Gordy's eventual decision to leave his and the label's home, Detroit, for Los Angeles marks a loss of innocence for the group and their label-mates. The film provides ample insider detail about how the former Ford assembly-line worker created and controlled his unique hit factory.

Based on the biography coauthored by Williams and former manager Shelly Berger, the project gets a vital boost from behind the camera, thanks to executive producer Suzanne DePasse, herself a former Motown exec, and director Allan Arkush (Rock 'n' Roll High School). That lineage probably pulls some punches in terms of individual characters and Gordy's machinations, but it also affords The Temptations its convincing detail, as does the generous running time--a mixed blessing, due to the original two-part broadcast, which might have benefited from tightening for this video version. Giving the show its greatest kick are the group's original hits, performed and choreographed convincingly in lip-synched sequences. --Sam Sutherland

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!