A Great Day in Harlem (1995)
Tomatometer
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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,... [More]
Starring: Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Marian McPartland, Sonny Rollins
Director: Jean Bach
Reviews for A Great Day in Harlem
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A wonderful, warm little movie. Full Review |
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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 |
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The film is alive and keeps moving briskly. Full Review |
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If you wanted to introduce someone to what jazz is all about, this would be an ideal place to start. Full Review |
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3/4 |
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 |
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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 |
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4/4 |
A fascinating examination of the artistry, camaraderie and idiosyncrasies among a generation enigmatic jazz giants. Full Review |
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A |
This isn’t Ken Burns’ jazz, but something with the spark and intuition of the real thing. Full Review |
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Monumental. Full Review |
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2/5 |
No review available.
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3/5 |
No review available.
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4.5/5 |
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 |
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4/5 |
Wonderful documentary; great seeing all those jazz legends.
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3/4 |
If there's such a thing as a magical documentary, A Great Day in Harlem is it. Full Review |
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3/4 |
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 |
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4/4 |
A magnificent achievement. Full Review |
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