Only the Strong Survive

Documentary filmmakers DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus and journalist Roger Friedman had a mission: to catch up with the great soul singers of the 1960s and early 1970s. Many of the legends of soul died at an early age: Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, practically all of the Temptations among them. But those who are still alive have been largely ignored since their youth--relegated to oldies shows and budget tours--until now. The Pennebaker team put together a concert of the great soul survivors, reuniting many of the stars under the influential Stax record label, including Wilson Pickett, "The Iceman" Jerry Butler, former Supreme Mary Wilson, The Chi-Lites, Sam Moore, and Carla and Rufus Thomas, whose duet "Nighttime is The Right Time" brings the film to a climactic close. The result is a musical celebration of soul, a glimpse into the skewed world of the music industry, and a compelling narrative of these seven talented acts who’ve lived extraordinary lives beyond our expectations.