Mr. SOUL! 2020
During the late 1960s, SOUL! became a groundbreaking public television program, celebrating Black culture and challenging societal norms. Hosted by Ellis Haizlip, the series provided a vital platform for prominent Black artists, musicians, writers, and activists. Through interviews and performances, SOUL! explored themes of identity, politics, and creativity, offering a rare opportunity for national dialogue and showcasing the richness of Black artistic expression.
Does Mr. SOUL! have end credit scenes?
No!
Mr. SOUL! does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Mr. SOUL!
Explore the complete cast of Mr. SOUL!, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.
Sidney Poitier
Self
Diahann Carroll
Self
Muhammad Ali
Self
B.B. King
Self
Stevie Wonder
Self
Malcolm X
Blair Underwood
Narration
Harry Belafonte
Self
Patti LaBelle
Self
Arsenio Hall
Self
Gladys Knight
Self
Michael Jackson
Self
Maya Angelou
Self
Obba Babatundé
Self
Anna Maria Horsford
Self
Novella Nelson
Self
Roxie Roker
Self
Questlove
Self
Melba Moore
Self
James Baldwin
Self
External Links and Streaming Options
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Ratings and Reviews for Mr. SOUL!
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The Movie Echo Score
Mr. Soul! excels at uncovering a pivotal chapter in television history with engaging narrative momentum and clear cultural context. Critics and audiences praise its portrayal of Ellis Haizlip’s pioneering vision, noting an immersive examination of Black artistry and social discourse. While its breadth occasionally stretches the film’s pacing, the documentary maintains consistent focus and energy through archival footage and interviews. Overall, Mr. Soul! succeeds as an enlightening and inspiring tribute with enduring relevance.
The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Mr. SOUL!
Art & Craft
In terms of art and craft, Mr. Soul! delivers polished production values and deft editing that seamlessly weave archival clips with fresh interviews. The direction underscores the film’s historical importance through careful shot selection and measured pacing. Visual transitions between past and present footage feel coherent and purposeful. Consequently, the documentary achieves a refined aesthetic that underscores its celebration of an influential television program.
Character & Emotion
When it comes to character and emotion, the film offers a nuanced portrait of Ellis Haizlip and the creatives he championed. Interviews highlight his visionary leadership and the personal stakes involved in producing a groundbreaking series. Emotional resonance is driven by candid reflections on Black artistry and social change. As a result, viewers connect with Haizlip’s passion and the documented guests’ sincerity, creating a compelling character study.
Story & Flow
Regarding story and flow, Mr. Soul! presents a coherent chronological narrative that captures the rise and fall of a seminal variety show. The film balances contextual exposition with lively segments showcasing key performances and discussions. At times, the pace feels dense as it covers extensive ground, but it retains engagement through thematic focus on cultural impact. Overall, the storytelling remains compelling and informative throughout its runtime.
Sensory Experience
In terms of sensory experience, the documentary leverages period-specific music cues and archival audio to evoke the late-1960s atmosphere. Sound design integrates interviews with vintage clips, creating a cohesive sonic tapestry. Visually, the use of original broadcast footage alongside modern interviews provides a textured look. Although imagery varies in quality, the overall presentation maintains consistency and underscores the film’s uplifting tone.
Rewatch Factor
Concerning rewatch factor, Mr. Soul! offers rich historical detail that rewards repeated viewings for context and nuance. The documentary’s emphasis on archival content may limit broader appeal after the initial watch, as its dense information can feel overwhelming. Nevertheless, those interested in media history and cultural studies may return to specific segments for research or inspiration. In sum, it holds moderate replay value among niche audiences.
88
Metascore
tbd
User Score
96%
TOMATOMETER
71%
User Score
7.8 /10
IMDb Rating
Take the Ultimate Mr. SOUL! Movie Quiz
Challenge your knowledge of Mr. SOUL! with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.
Mr. SOUL! Quiz: Test your knowledge about the groundbreaking television series SOUL! and its visionary producer Ellis Haizlip.
When did the SOUL! television series premiere?
Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Mr. SOUL!
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Premiereing in 1968, SOUL! marked a groundbreaking milestone as the first nationally broadcast all-Black variety show on public television. This unique program combined artists from the periphery with the post-Civil Rights Black radical thought, creating a platform that was both artistic and politically engaged. Ellis Haizlip, the visionary producer-turned-host, known for his openly gay identity and commitment to exploring uncharted aesthetic realms, brought avant-garde artistry into the mainstream by prioritizing poetry and politics.
The show introduced iconic talents like Patti LaBelle, Arsenio Hall, and Stevie Wonder, alongside early legends such as James Baldwin and earth, wind & fire, significantly influencing the cultural landscape and prompting political action from Nixon himself.
The documentary tracks the journey of SOUL! from a local entity to a national phenomenon, effectively chronicling the life and legacy of Ellis Haizlip, whose broad curatorial vision was pivotal to the show’s identity. A remarkable talent scout, Haizlip played an essential role in introducing numerous soon-to-be iconic African American artists to a wider audience. More importantly, he insisted that the series encapsulate the full spectrum of the African American experience, including gospel singers, poets, jazz artists, and even Black Panthers.
Set against a transformative cultural backdrop, SOUL! redefined the concept of being Black for an entire generation of African American viewers while simultaneously reshaping the white audience’s perception of Black culture. Notable figures like Questlove, Harry Belafonte, and poets such as Nikki Giovanni reflect on this remarkable chapter of pop culture history, sharing insights and memories from their time on the show.
With original music by Robert Glasper, the documentary offers a deep dive into these vital yet overlooked archives, providing powerful insights into Ellis Haizlip, a complex individual and often unsung hero behind the SOUL! phenomenon. “Mr. SOUL!” stands not only as a tribute to Haizlip’s dedication to championing Black culture but also serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing need to tell the African-American experience in today’s world.
Mr. Soul! won the Peabody Award for Best Documentary in 2022 and received a nomination for the 2022 News & Documentary Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Craft in News and Documentary Programming. The film is currently available for streaming on Max.
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Mr. SOUL! Themes and Keywords
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