Amazing Grace (2018 film)

Amazing Grace is a 2018 concert film presenting Sydney Pollack's long-unreleased footage of Aretha Franklin's live gospel performance at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles in January 1972. The film captures Franklin recording her Grammy Award-winning album of the same name, Amazing Grace.

Background:

The footage was initially intended for a documentary, but synchronisation issues with the audio and video, combined with Pollack's inexperience with music films, resulted in the project being shelved for decades. After Pollack's death in 2008, producer Alan Elliott acquired the rights and worked for several years to overcome the technical challenges. Advances in digital technology eventually allowed for the footage to be properly synchronised, making the film’s release possible.

Content:

The film features Aretha Franklin delivering powerful renditions of gospel standards, including "Amazing Grace," "Wholy Holy," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," and "Mary, Don't You Weep." It also showcases the audience's enthusiastic participation, the Reverend James Cleveland's support, and appearances by members of Franklin's band and choir. The film is noted for its raw and intimate portrayal of Franklin's artistry and her deep connection to gospel music and the church community.

Release and Reception:

Amazing Grace premiered at DOC NYC in November 2018 and received widespread critical acclaim. Reviewers praised Franklin's performance, the film's historical significance, and its ability to capture the spiritual and emotional intensity of the original recording sessions. Due to legal challenges and Franklin's estate's initial reluctance, the film faced numerous delays before its official theatrical release in 2019. It is considered a significant document of gospel music history and a testament to Aretha Franklin's enduring legacy.