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Movies / On DVD / A Great Day in Harlem
A Great Day in Harlem

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A Great Day in Harlem (1995)

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88 %
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Reviews Counted:16

Fresh:14

Rotten:2

Average Rating:7.5/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 32 mins

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Synopsis: The story behind a photograph conceived by Esquire Magazine art director Art Kane. He gathered all the greats in the Jazz world for a group shot on a sultry summer day on 125th Street in Harlem,... The story behind a photograph conceived by Esquire Magazine art director Art Kane. He gathered all the greats in the Jazz world for a group shot on a sultry summer day on 125th Street in Harlem, 1958. With a "cast" that includes Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, and Art Blakely, this documentary provides a rare glimpse into the close-knit, warm world of the Jazz era, as well as some heartwarming and amusing footage of legends just being themselves. [More]

Starring: Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Marian McPartland, Sonny Rollins

Starring: Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Marian McPartland, Sonny Rollins

Director: Jean Bach

Director: Jean Bach

[See More Credits]

Reviews for A Great Day in Harlem

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1 - 16 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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A wonderful, warm little movie.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Combining home movies, interviews from the time, contemporary reminiscences from locals and those who took part, and fascinating performance footage, this is a joyful celebration of an extraordinary event and of jazz music in general.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The film is alive and keeps moving briskly.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
09/12/08
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

If you wanted to introduce someone to what jazz is all about, this would be an ideal place to start.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
10/17/07
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader

Even casual fans should appreciate the film's genuine admiration for these great artists, whose lives were interwoven with their creativity and who changed the face of 20th-century music.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
10/17/07
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

For non-buffs, pic fails the acid test of exciting interest where there was little or none before; it could easily have covered the same ground in half its length.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
10/17/07
Godfrey Cheshire
Godfrey Cheshire
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A fascinating examination of the artistry, camaraderie and idiosyncrasies among a generation enigmatic jazz giants.

Full Review Source: AALBC.com | comment Comment
01/18/07
Kam Williams
Kam Williams
AALBC.com

This isn’t Ken Burns’ jazz, but something with the spark and intuition of the real thing.

Full Review Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | comment Comment
01/09/06
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Monumental.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
12/29/05
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
07/16/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
04/01/05
Eric Melin
Eric Melin
Lawrence.com

Anyone with the misconception that the spirit of a particular music is not a direct reflection of the souls of the musicians who created it must see A Great Day in Harlem, Jean Bach's small and very moving documentary about the jazz life.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
08/30/04
Stephen Holden
Stephen Holden
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Wonderful documentary; great seeing all those jazz legends.

comment Comment
08/30/02
Bob Bloom
Bob Bloom
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

If there's such a thing as a magical documentary, A Great Day in Harlem is it.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

It's a funny and moving film whose swinging rhythms and informal tone capture a feeling for the music, the people who make it and the affection and respect they feel for each other and the art form.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jesse Hamlin
Jesse Hamlin
San Francisco Chronicle

A magnificent achievement.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
01/01/00
Philip Elwood
Philip Elwood
San Francisco Examiner
 
 
1 - 16 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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