Rejoice and Shout

is from Magnolia Pictures, directed by . The film stars Smokey Robinson, , Mavis Staples, Ira Tucker, Marie Knight, Willa Ward, Ira Tucker Jr.

“No wonder the music is so beautiful. God is on their side.” Rejoice and Shout is a documentary on Gospel music's 200-year history.

“No wonder the music is so beautiful. God is on their side.” Rejoice and Shout is a documentary on Gospel music’s 200-year history.

Rejoice and Shout uses vintage photos, probing interviews, and clips from hundreds of hours of rare film and audio recordings, Rejoice and Shout honors and celebrates the musical history of African-American Christianity. In his most to date, director Don McGlynn takes on the entire 200-year evolution of gospel music in black America.

Going back to its earliest roots in the 19th century, when plantation owners forced slaves to convert to Christianity, McGlynn connects the dots that led to today’s soul and R&B music—as Claude Jeter’s falsetto voice begat Al Green, so the Dixie Hummingbirds led to groups such as Temptations.

Years in the making, Rejoice and Shou captures so much of what is special about this music and African-American Christianity – the sermonizing, the heartfelt testimonials, getting “slain in the spirit,” the hard hollerin’, and of course the inspiring music. The film shows how gospel was, and still remains, so much more than mere pop music to the African-American community; how it helped sustain the spirits during the darkest hours of repression during slavery, the Jim Crow era, and the civil rights movement.

Filled with hard-to-find performances and recordings by Mahalia Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Wards, James Cleveland, the Staple Singers, the Blind Boys of Alabama, and many others, Rejoice and Shout is a must-see not just for gospel aficionados but for anyone who appreciates the inspirational power of music.

Perhaps the most intense and emotional music you can ever hear is the best of African-American Gospel music. Foot-stomping and hand-clapping likely will start from the opening credits.

Related content

MoreMovieDetails

All Posts

Share this article: Rejoice and Shout

Facebook
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Pinterest
Email

MORE TOPICS

Biopic Roles: Actors Who Immortalized Real People on Screen

Biopics provide a window into the lives of people who have significantly influenced our world. Actors who take on these roles not only immortalize these real-life figures on the screen but also make their stories accessible and relatable to a broad audience.

Florence Foster Jenkins

Stephen Frears, Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant team up for the first time on Florence Foster Jenkins , an inspirational, poignant, heart – warming comedy about love, music and the pursuit of dreams.

Jason Momoa and director/writer David Hewlett go back a few years, friends from when they worked together on “Stargate Atlantis.”

Debug

Deep space. Six young hackers on a grueling work release program attempt to clear out – debug – the computer systems of a massive derelict freighter. They quickly fall prey to the ship’s vengeful artificial intelligence, a program that would kill to be human.

In Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family, Madea, everyone's favorite wise-cracking, take-no-prisoners grandma, jumps into action when her niece, Shirley, receives distressing news about her health.

Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family

Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family is a comedy-drama film based on the Tyler Perry play of the same name and the eleventh film in the Tyler Perry film franchise. MADEA’S BIG HAPPY FAMILY marks Perry’s eleventh film production in approximately six years.

British Actors in Hollywood: A Continuing Invasion

The British invasion of Hollywood is a testament to the unending prowess and appeal of British acting talent in global cinema. As the film industry becomes increasingly global, borders continue to blur, leading to a more diverse and representative cinema landscape. British actors have proven their versatility, expertise, and appeal over the years.

The Costa Rica of RUNNER RUNNER exists at the intersection of opulence and poverty, and of regulation and corruption. It’s where you can indulge any whim without consequence – until those desires grow too large. From glitzy casinos and bikini-dotted swimming pools to sweaty, crocodile-infested jungles, RUNNER RUNNER depicts an enticing, dangerous world where all the seven deadly sins are in play.

Runner Runner

Princeton grad student Richie (Justin Timberlake), believing he’s been swindled, travels to Costa Rica to confront online gambling tycoon Ivan Block (Ben Affleck). Richie is seduced by Block’s promise of immense wealth, until he learns the disturbing truth about his benefactor.