In 1971, Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul, brought her backup singers and the legendary Atlantic Records rhythm section to The New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles to record an album of gospel music before an enthusiastic live audience. The result, Amazing Grace, went on to become one of the biggest albums of Franklin's career and one of her most beloved works.
But even as the album gained fans around the world, few realised that those inspirational sessions had not only been recorded, but they had been filmed by a camera crew led by Oscar winning filmmaker Sydney Pollack.
However, due to technical problems the film has never been seen. Until now.
This thrilling film is both an extraordinary look at a key moment in American musical and social history and an invaluable record of one of America’s greatest artists doing what she did best – and has already hailed as one of the best music documentaries ever. This is not one to miss.
- Words by
- Joe Harris