Biographical documentary

Marley (2012): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Name: Marley
Genre: Biography, Music, Documentary
Released: 2012-04-20
Duration: 2 h 24 min
Cast: Bob Marley, Lee Perry, Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Cliff

Marley is a 2012 biographical documentary directed by Kevin Macdonald, starring Bob Marley, Lee Perry and Ziggy Marley. It runs 2 hours 24 minutes and earned $3.8 million worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Documentary at the BAFTA 2013. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10.

IMDb rating: 7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
worldwide gross: $3.8M
award nomination: 1

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Watch the trailer Read the plot summary

Released: April 20, 2012
Runtime: 2h 24m (144 min)
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Genres: Biography , Music , Documentary
Original language: English
Studio: Magnolia Pictures
After the credits: No No extra scene

The story

What Is Marley About?

The premise of Marley without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This film explores the extraordinary life of Bob Marley, from his childhood in Jamaica to his rise as a global music icon. Through rare archival footage and interviews with family and friends, the documentary reveals the personal struggles and unwavering spirit of the musician, social prophet, and revolutionary. It offers a moving and intimate look at his enduring influence and remarkable legacy.

Marley Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags

funeral
bob marley
year 1980
year 1981
interview
musician
surname as title
soccer
music video
house
concert
year 1974

+38 more

religious differences
year 1973
london england
car factory
delaware
year 1966
marijuana
identity
mistress
shantytown
year 1975
reference to king solomon
religion
dreadlocks
rastafarian
ambition
fame
celebrity
pop music
talent
recording studio
culture
dancing
record company
year 1962
musician's life
rock star
rock band
singer
guitar
friendship
archive footage
stock footage
political conflict
affair
singing
jamaica
political violence

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Cast & crew

Marley Cast

Bob Marley leads the cast, with Lee Perry and Ziggy Marley. Directed by Kevin Macdonald; 4 actors are credited in all.

Director Kevin Macdonald

From the director

More from Kevin Macdonald

More films directed by Kevin Macdonald, best-rated first: One Day in September, One to One: John & Yoko, Touching the Void and The Mauritanian.

Full filmography

Ratings

Marley Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Marley 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10.

IMDb

7.9 /10
See on IMDb
Rotten Tomatoes

95% Tomatometer

Popcornmeter 90%
See on Rotten Tomatoes
Metacritic

82 Metascore

User score 8.3
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TMDB

76% User score
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Letterboxd

3.8 /5

15 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Movie Insider

4.7 /5
See on Movie Insider

Plot

Marley Plot Summary

What happens in Marley from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

For nearly fifty years, Bob Marley—the musician, revolutionary, and legendary figure—has profoundly influenced diverse populations worldwide, a legacy that remains unmatched. His death in May 1981 not only left a significant void in the realm of reggae, arguably modern music’s most spiritual and accessible genre, but also highlighted the remarkable power of his presence, paving the way for an unparalleled, posthumous expansion of his fan base.

Full summary

The whole story of Marley, scene by scene

Read the full summary