Search - Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: The Road to Memphis on DVD

Movie Release: 2003 DVD Release: 05/04/2004 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 59 mins Studio: Hip-O Members Wishing: 3 Genres: Music, Biography, Social History, Music History

Part of The Blues documentary film series on PBS, The Road to Memphis is directed by Richard Pearce. This installment explores the movement from the Mississippi Delta to Memphis, TN, during the early '50s. This generation of artists went from working in the cotton fields to playing on the radio and performing in clubs. The Memphis style is exemplified by the work of blues legend B.B. King, who has since become an American icon. The filmmakers follow the contemporary touring musician Bobby Rush, who enjoys a successful career outside of the mainstream recording industry. Includes archival footage by Rufus Thomas and Howlin' Wolf, along with original performances and interviews by Rosco Gordon and Ike Turner. The Road to Memphis was originally broadcast by PBS on September 30, 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

B.B. King
Bobby Rush
Ike Turner
Little Milton
Rosco Gordon

One of the most engaging contributions to producer Martin Scorsese's series of documentaries on blues music, Richard Pearce and Robert Kenner's The Road to Memphis takes a look at the Tennessee town and its near iconic role in blues history, especially Beale Street, once the center of the city's African-American community, but now a nearly unrecognizable tourist trap filled with theme-oriented clubs and shops. The film also offers memorable snapshots of Memphis-based performers B.B. King, Rosco Gordon, Ike Turner, and the irrepressible Bobby Rush. The film has been given a fine letterboxed transfer to disc in the widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1, and the lively audio is presented in two formats: a surround mix in Dolby Digital 5.1 and an uncompressed two-channel mix in PCM stereo. No subtitles or multiple language options have been included. Bonus materials include an interview with filmmakers Pearce and Turner, as well as a filmography of their screen credits and a commentary track in which they discuss the film and the music. The disc also includes three bonus performances, a pair of tunes from B.B. King and a team-up with guitarist Hubert Sumlin and singer David Johansen. Finally, there's a menu option that allows fans to jump to individual music performances within the film, as well as a trailer for The Blues series, and a Volkswagen commercial created to cite the company's sponsorship of the documentaries. In short, this disc is a well-executed release of an entertaining and thoughtful film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide