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Pete Seeger: The Power of Song
The Weinstein Company


8.4

based on 12 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 14 votes
Read user comments
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FILM:

MPAA RATING: PG for some mild thematic material

Starring Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, and Bruce Springsteen

Pete Seeger was the architect of the folk revival, writing some of its best known songs including "Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” "Turn, Turn, Turn” and "If I Had A Hammer." Largely misunderstood by his critics, including the US government, for his views on peace, unionism, civil rights and ecology, Seeger was targeted by the communist witch hunt of the Fifties. He was picketed, protested, blacklisted, and, in spite of his enormous popularity, banned from American television for more than 17 years. With a combination of never-before-seen archival footage and personal films made by Seeger and his wife, Pete Seeger: The Power of Song chronicles the life of this legendary artist and political activist. (Jim Brown Productions)

GENRE(S):	Documentary
DIRECTED BY:	Jim Brown
RELEASE DATE:	Theatrical: September 14, 2007
RUNNING TIME:	93 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

San Francisco Chronicle Joel Selvin

All the requisite talking heads pop up - Dylan, Springsteen, Baez - but it is Seeger himself who towers over the landscape. The filmmakers treat this aged curmudgeon almost too reverently, but it is hard not to be awed by this gentle, resolute soul because of the ideas he steadfastly and faithfully represented.

100

Variety Jay Weissberg

As certain to get auds singing as the man himself, Pete Seeger: The Power of Song is a terrific, multilayered portrait of a singer whose legacy extends beyond music and into every major social action movement since the 1940s. Always enjoyable, this docu proves that a few rare people actually deserve the hagiography treatment.

100

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

With access to remarkable archival footage, old TV shows, home movies and the family photo album, Brown weaves together the story of the Seegers with testimony by admirers who represent his influence and legacy.

100

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

Between clips of the concerts Seeger staged as hootenanny hosannas, the film chronicles how the blacklisted star stuck true to his beliefs -- which were more patriotic than those of his accusers.

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

More than an appreciation, Pete Seeger: The Power of Song is an inspiration.

Portland Oregonian Shawn Levy

Like a picture postcard vision of his life and work: absolutely accurate as far as it goes but not too keen on looking too close for fear of uncovering anything untoward.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

It's a tribute to both the subject and his biographer that this story of one man's experience is also a vital chronicle of the times in which he's lived.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Bill White

Director Brown has made a career of chronicling the history of American folk music, and Pete Seeger: The Power of Song is a worthy companion piece to his 1982 debut, "The Weavers: Wasn't That a Time?"

Boston Globe Ty Burr

So there's a hole at the center of "Pete Seeger" that the movie fills with loving remembrances, testimonials, and new interview footage of the singer at his hand-built cabin in upstate New York.

Chicago Reader Peter Margasak

This engaging documentary traces the life of folk icon Pete Seeger, emphasizing his lifelong belief in the power of music as both a social and a political force.

The New York Times A.O. Scott

As the latest tribute -- Jim Brown’s loving documentary, Pete Seeger: The Power of Song -- makes clear, he’s still busy, still angry, still hopeful, still singing.

Village Voice Brian Miller

Shallow, very officially sanctioned, and overly compressed, The Power of Song plays like a PBS infomercial for the inevitable DVD box set, which will surely include even more archival footage.

The average user rating for this movie is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 14 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

muriel y. gave it a10:
His enthusiasm for the music and his steadfastness in living his beliefs make it almost impossible not to like and admire this man. It was hard for the audience not to burst into song along with him (and a few people did). They also burst into applause at the end of the movie, something which doesn't happen very often!

Stu N gave it a10:
An amazing tribute to a man who should stand as an inspiration to us all. It's unbelievable that this gentle (but not weak) and peaceful person was blackballed from performing in most places for 15+ years. The historical footage is inspiring as it tells the story of someone who spent his life being true to his belief in the power of good deeds and good people, and reinforced those values by making his music move others to action. He is a hero who would be far better known were it not for his disinterest in business and money, except in support of his causes. The songs he wrote or popularized are legendary including We Shall Overcome, If I had a Hammer, Knee Deep in the Big Muddy, Little Boxes and many more. Worth seeing by everyone in your family and all your friends.

Joan gave it a10:
A wonderful film about a truly great American patriot with a strong commitment to a high standard of ethics that all of us should have. Well done, well edited, and nostalgic. Not to be missed!

Greg F. gave it a10:
A broad and inspiring story of a powerful, immensely influential and purely American Voice.

Marty K. gave it a10:
A rich and captivating look at a national treasure. The parallels between HUAC & Vietnam protest to today's government are stunning.

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Pete Seeger: The Power of Song The Weinstein Company

Pete Seeger: The Power of Song
The Weinstein Company