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Music documentary

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World (2017): Cast & Ratings

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World (2017) movie poster

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World is a 2017 music documentary directed by Alfonso Maiorana and Catherine Bainbridge, starring Jimi Hendrix, Charley Patton and Mildred Bailey. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $226,006 worldwide. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.

IMDb rating
7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$226K
Echo Score
77
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Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Genres
Music , Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World About?

The premise of Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This documentary explores the significant, yet often unrecognized, contributions of Indigenous musicians to North American popular music. It highlights the groundbreaking work of artists like Link Wray and Jimi Hendrix, and others who defied convention and helped shape the sound of generations. Through compelling stories and archival footage, Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World celebrates the innovative styles and enduring legacy of Native American artists who profoundly impacted the music landscape.

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World Themes & Keywords

· 3 tags
  • title co written by female
  • title co directed by female
  • rock music
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Cast & crew

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World Cast

Jimi Hendrix leads the cast, with Charley Patton and Mildred Bailey. Directed by Alfonso Maiorana and Catherine Bainbridge; 14 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Alfonso Maiorana and Catherine Bainbridge

More films directed by Alfonso Maiorana and Catherine Bainbridge, best-rated first: Reel Injun and Red Fever.

Ratings

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

77 /100

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World Echo Score Breakdown

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World delivers a compelling reevaluation of Native American contributions to American music, anchored by insightful archival material and expert commentary. The documentary shines in its articulation of individual artists’ stories and the emotional resonance of their musical legacies, even as its episodic structure occasionally undermines narrative coherence. The film’s sensory richness and historical framing provide a valuable introduction to an overlooked chapter of Americana. Overall, it leaves a lasting impression despite moments of uneven pacing.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 72

    In terms of direction and craft, Rumble presents a visually coherent tribute to music history under measured guidance. The film employs archival footage and interviews with a consistent visual palette, though its editing sometimes leads to abrupt transitions between segments. Production design effectively evokes the era of the featured artists without distraction. While the overall aesthetic remains engaging, occasional fluctuations in pacing detract slightly from its technical polish.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character depth, the documentary offers emotionally charged vignettes of key Native American musicians. The filmmakers highlight personal stories with poignant commentary, resulting in moments of genuine resonance, especially in segments profiling artists such as Steve Salas and Randy Castillo. Nonetheless, the breadth of coverage sometimes limits deeper exploration of individual backgrounds. On balance, the film establishes a strong emotional connection despite occasional departures from sustained focus.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, Rumble constructs an informative overview of Native American influence on blues and rock ’n’ roll. The documentary’s original premise is engaging, but its episodic structure and frequent topic jumps can hinder narrative momentum. Pacing varies from immersive segments to sections that feel cursory, reflecting the challenge of encompassing extensive history within a limited runtime. Overall, the film offers valuable insights despite moments of uneven coherence.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When it comes to sensory experience, Rumble excels through its rich soundtrack and dynamic sound design. The documentary showcases an array of musical performances with clarity and depth, while a nuanced audio mix highlights each genre’s distinctive timbres. Visually, archival footage and contemporary interviews are cohesively framed to complement the audio narrative. As a result, the film delivers a compelling immersion into the musical traditions it celebrates.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s wealth of musical examples and historical insights encourages repeated viewings. Discovering lesser-known artists and tracing their influence on mainstream genres offers fresh nuances on subsequent viewings. However, the sporadic pacing and occasional surface-level treatment of individual stories may limit its appeal for every repeat audience. In sum, Rumble retains enduring interest for music enthusiasts, though its structural flaws may temper full reengagement.

Plot

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World Plot Summary

What happens in Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World 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

Many musical artists and genres contributed to the development of rock music, yet arguably, no single piece has had a greater impact than Link Wray’s iconic 1958 instrumental, “Rumble.” This groundbreaking work by the American Indian rock guitarist and singer/songwriter is noted for its unique sound. Filmmaker Martin Scorsese reflects on the song’s powerful essence, stating, > “It is the sound of that guitar … that aggression.” “Rumble” was revolutionary as it was the first track to incorporate distortion and feedback, pioneering the rock power chord, and infamously, it became one of the rare instrumental singles banned from radio due to concerns it might spark violence.

Full summary

The whole story of Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World Box Office

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World grossed $226,006 worldwide.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$226K

US & Canada
$226K
Videos

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World.

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the title of Link Wray's instrumental masterpiece discussed in the documentary?

Cars

Cars in Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World

38 cars on screen, including the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier and the 2000 Dodge Ram.

All 38 cars
  • 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier in Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier Important role
  • 2000 Dodge Ram in Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World 2000 Dodge Ram Important role
  • 2012 Nissan Sentra in Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World 2012 Nissan Sentra Important role
  • 1992 Ford Econoline in Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World 1992 Ford Econoline Minor role

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FAQ

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World?

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World released?

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World was released on July 26, 2017.

Who directed Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World?

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World was directed by Alfonso Maiorana and Catherine Bainbridge.

Who is in the cast of Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World?

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World stars Jimi Hendrix, Charley Patton and Mildred Bailey, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World make at the box office?

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World grossed $226,006 worldwide.

How is Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World rated?

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 77% on TMDB.

Does Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World have a post-credit scene?

No. Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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