
2014
James Brown changed the face of American music forever. Abandoned by his parents at an early age, James Brown was a self-made man who became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, not just through his music, but also as a social activist. Charting his journey from rhythm and blues to funk, MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN features rare and previously unseen footage, photographs and interviews, chronicling the musical ascension of “the hardest working man in show business,” from his first hit, “Please, Please, Please,” in 1956, to his iconic performances at the Apollo Theater, the T.A.M.I. Show, the Paris Olympia and more.

James Brown
Self (archive footage)

Bootsy Collins
Self

Chuck D
Self

Mick Jagger
Self

Questlove
Self

Bobby Byrd
Self

Melvin Parker
Self

Maceo Parker
Self

Clyde Stubblefield
Self

Martha High
Self

Alan Leeds
Self

Pee Wee Ellis
Self

Al Sharpton
Self

John 'Jabo' Starks
Self

Danny Ray
Emcee, Cape Man

A Tale of James Brown

Earth, Wind & Fire

The Singer: A Montford Point Marine

Viva Las Vegas

Stevie Wonder Live Musikladen

Earth Girls Are Easy

Coming Back for More

The Blues Brothers

TINA

Let Me Have It All

Ray

Take Me to the River

Manny

Blues Road Movie

Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular

When We Were Kings

Jack and the Beanstalk

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle

Beyoncé: The Experience Live

El Cantante