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Hallelujah! How better to respond to this wonderful document than with some measure of the joy and passion displayed by the participants? Filmed at Oakland, California's Paramount Theater, the 1982 film brings together some of gospel music's heavy hitters (including the Rev. James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar, the Hawkins Family, and the Mighty Clouds of Joy). And folks, there is some serious testifying going on here, both onstage and in the audience, as one performer after another does his or her best to tear the roof off the sucker. Don't be deceived by the gospel moniker. Take this music out of the pew and into the pub, and you've got Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, James Brown--that's how good some of these singers are. And if righteous rave-ups like the Hawkins' "Right On" and Cleveland's "Determined to Make Heaven My Home" don't get you moving, consider investing in a defibrillator. --Sam Graham ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Really 25 stars...5 stars for each group!
I grew up watching this video and to my surprise I found it at Blockbuster. I could not believe it. I have been watching it for the last two months regularly. This concert was blessed by God almighty himself! I imagine that as they performed he was in Heaven throwing down, because you know God can outdance any of us. My favs:
The Mighty Clouds of Joy-Walk Around Heaven (I forgot it was them and thought it was the Temptations for a second.)
Shirley Caesar-No Charge (No one can tell a story quite like Shirley.
Walter Hawkins & Family-EVERYTHING!!! Their musicians were amazing.
The Clark Sisters-EVERYTHING!!!! It should be illegal to sing like that!
James Cleveland-EVERY SINGLE SONG!!!
Excellent must have for any true lover of gospel. I know a lot of people don't enjoy older gospel as much as the new stuff, but I can bet any amount of money that the stuff people are listening to now can be traced back to these very artists. I have heard so many remakes of these songs form the newer artists. Much respect.

Enhanced with extra features including singer profiles
Gospel is a superbly presented DVD showcasing live musical performances by Shirley Caesar, The Clark Sisters, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Walter Hawkins and the Hawkins Family; and the celebratory Christian message of Rev. James Cleveland. An incredible visual and musical celebration of love, Christ, and jubilant performance, Gospel is whirlwind rush of emotion, sensation, and abiding faith. The DVD format is enhanced with extra features including singer profiles, a scrapbook, venue highlights, and immediate access to specific and favorite songs. Total Running Time: 93 minutes.

The Holy Grail
This video is a marvel. Any fan of soul music will surely appreciate WHERE people like Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin etc. received their inspiration and training. And that is from gospel music. This tape is one incredible performance after another that is both entertaining and very moving.

If you can`t respond to the Mighty Clouds Of Joy in this video, you are off my party list permanently. :)

Robert J Dewar

Wonderful, Anointed, Vintage Gospel
This is a must see video of the late James Cleveland,the appointed, Pastor Shirley Ceaser, Bishop Walter Hawkins, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, and the Dynamic Clark Sisters.... I have watched this video over & over and can not get enough of the wonderful sounds of each gospel artist in this movie.... From the Mighty Clouds of Joy quartet sound,to the grand finale in the end with Walter Hawkins and his group... this is a must see video... James Cleveland, Shirley Ceaser and The Clark Sisters each prove that they rule the gospel circuit in male soloist, female soloist and female group category respectively. I encourage you to buy this movie..It is a must see treat! God bless you... Juan L. Maultsby ... Read more

Reviews (46)

The Fighting Temptations- Just Good Fun
The Fighting Temptations, was a hilarious comedy. Featuring an immensly likable cast including Cuba Gooding, Jr., Beyonce Knowles, Mike Epps and Steve Harvey. Director Johnathan Lynn makes a good comedy with an inspirational message.
Cuba Gooding, Jr. plays a mendacious and sly New York advertising executive. He is good at what he does, but soon he learns that his Aunt Sally has passed away. He travels to his hometown to attend her funeral but soon finds his love interest, Knowles playing a nice role with her miraculous voice. He soon must take on the director of the church quire which he learns in his aunt's will but their is a prize to that if he does and being the prevaricating and sly man that he is he eagerly agrees. From here the film earns an abundant amount of laughs as well wonderful gospel music perfomances from Reverand Shirley Caesar, the O'Jays, Montell Jordan, Faith Evans, Melba Moore, rapper T-Bone, the Blind Boys of Alambama as well as star Beyonce Knowles. The film can seem sort of superficial and corny at times, but all in all it's a diverting comedy.
The Fighting Temptations is rated PG-13 for Some Sexual References. There is mainly mild crude language and sexual innuendo. I saw this one in theatres and I'm very glad that I did, for I was laughing the whole time. Possibly worth owning on Video or DVD.

Great music makes up for a weak story!
If not for the contemporary setting, fashion, and music, one might think "The Fighting Temptations" was made in the early 40's. The story line seems as if it were lifted from one of those old "let's-put-on-a-show-to-save-the-town" musicals starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.

And the ethnic, regional, gender, and corporate stereotypes are so thick; it's a wonder the movie was picketed by the N.A.A.C.P., The League for the Defamation of Southerners, feminists, or church folk.

Speaking of the church scenes (of which these comprise three-fifths of the film), some things transpire that are too outrageous to believe: the "shouting" and church services are too over the top; a young couple passionately tongue each other in the choir stand and in the congregational pews; and one character boozes it up and carries a gun while playing the organ, just to name a few.

Thank God, the film boasts a great soundtrack. It can't lose with performances from the likes of Ann Nesby, Melba Moore, Rev. Shirley Caesar, The O'Jays, Beyonce, Angie Stone, Montel Jordan, and rapper T-Bone who is showcased prominently in one of the film's strongest songs.

As far as the acting is concerned, the performers do the best with what is given them in the rather routine script. A chief standout is Steve Harvey's portrayal of a radio announcer that "tells it like it is" while puffing on a cigarette. He's sort of like the movie's "Greek chorus", providing insight and humor.

It's also refreshing to see Rue McClanahan as one of the choir members. The former "Golden Girl" appears to be having a ball with the big production numbers and holds her own with the more seasoned singers.

As the closing credits roll, the viewer is reminded how gifted a dancer and athlete Cuba Gooding, Jr. really is! He cavorts, contorts, flips, and flies, never missing a beat.

Had Hollywood not beckoned, the Oscar winner's name would, without a doubt, be frequently seen on a Broadway marquee.

The film, though entertaining for most of its 123-minute running time, could've easily been produced for television or home video. It lacks that extra "oomph" and development that one expects from a theatrical release.

It's O.K!
This isn't the best movie I've ever seen, but it's definitely not the worst either. It's worth watching though. However, I do believe that if their weren't all those professional singers in this movie it would have been just mediocre at best. It was the singers and the soundtrack that made it actually pretty good. I absolutely love Cuba Gooding Jr, and Beyonce' may not be on the A-list as an actress yet, but she definitely shows potential.

Corny
What happened Cuba?! As for Beyonce, she can't act her way out of a bag and will yoddle her way through a song (which is ashamed because she does have a decent voice) but is hailed as THE star of now which is why I had to sit through her performance in this film. Too contrived and too corny.

A nice lighthearted spiritual comedy.
If you don't take this film too seriously, you should really enjoy it. The storyline is good natured and the music is fantastic. cuba Gooding Jr. plays a hustling New York City based ad man who agrees to fulfill his great aunt's dying wish for him to lead her church's gospel choir in a state competition for $100,000. At first he's like a fish out of water but then he learns about what's really important in life. I'm not ging to spoil this one, you'll have to see for yourself.

LaTanya Richardson (Samule Jackson's wife for those who don't know) turns in a nice performance as the judgmental and overbearing church treasurer Paulina and Beyonce's protrayal of Lily isn't bad at all. Much of the remaining cast is a who's who of contemporary talent including the O'Jays, Angie Stone, Beyonce Melba Moore and Montell Jordan. Not a bad addition to te DVD collection. ... Read more