The Temptations

1998 "The story of a dream come true and the struggle to keep that dream alive."
8.4| 2h55m| NA| en| More Info
Released: 01 November 1998 Released
Producted By: Hallmark Entertainment
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

The true story of The Temptations, the Soul vocal group of the 1960s, as seen from the viewpoint of the last surviving member, Otis Williams. Beginning from their humble origins in the late 50s and continuing through the 90s and the deaths of the other 4 members.

Genre

Drama, Music

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The Temptations (1998) is now streaming with subscription on BET+

Director

Allan Arkush

Production Companies

Hallmark Entertainment

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The Temptations Audience Reviews

Scanialara You won't be disappointed!
Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.
Keeley Coleman The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
Hattie I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.
classicsoncall I got a chance to see the present day Temptations in concert just this past August, and have been on the lookout for a copy of this movie which I've known about for a long time but just never had the chance to see. This past weekend it turned up on the VHS1 cable channel and I had to decide if the two and a half hour run time would be worth sitting through as it was turned into a four hour endurance test with commercial breaks. For the most part, I would say it was time well spent, with great music and an inside look at how the group formed and went through it's history of personnel changes.I'll have to agree with some of the other posters on this board; since the book by Otis Williams formed the basis for this movie treatment I'm sure much of what appears is preferential to Williams himself. But over all, the picture seems to offer a reasonable treatment of the diverse personalities that formed the original group and later on, some of the replacement members. For me, David Ruffin is the voice of the Temps, but I never realized how his aura of self importance led to an early departure. Throughout the ordeals the group went through with Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams, I had to admire Otis Williams' philosophy that no one member was bigger than the group.What was really cool for me was seeing how the early 1960's Motown sound came into being with the backdrop of Hitsville U.S.A. and all those great personalities in proximity with each other, never knowing who would make it and who wouldn't. Martha Reeves working the switchboard, that was a blast! Smokey Robinson coming up with hit after hit and Berry Gordy sizing up the talent. On top of that, you get a sense that the Motown sound helped break down barriers between the races which was a great thing to see.What I did know at the time but completely forgot about until seeing the film was how for a time there were actually two groups using the name Temptations when Ruffin and Kendricks struck out on their own with new members. The picture doesn't venture into or try to explain any of the legalities involved with copyrights and such, so that would be interesting to research. The other thing, if you were around for the Temptations from the beginning, you'll notice that their big hits weren't presented in chronological order in the film. For example, 'I Wish it Would Rain' was recorded before 'Psychedelic Shack', but the picture used the songs to complement what was going on in the personal lives of the band at times instead of following their release date. That was a small departure from historical accuracy that doesn't take away from one's enjoyment of the picture.Regardless, if you're a Temptations fan, you really need to see the picture for an inside look at what hopefully is a fairly accurate account of the group. To me, they were the embodiment of the Motown sound and my favorite Motown group, and every time one of their early songs comes on the radio, I just have to join in.
DorianGraysBlues Since i've been knocking on the door of the music industry for years, I've become a voracious watcher of music biopics. Anything from bix Beiderbecke to Glenn miller to Mozart to little Richard i've seen and enjoyed while trying to take something away from those movies that will help me in my quest. In fact, at this very minute i'm watching Beyond the Sea for the umpteenth time.I had actually forgotten about the temps. My deepest memory of them was the mistake i thought they had made when they recorded, Ball of Confusion. I thought they had lost their crossover appeal with the song, because it seemed a bit too bitter, unlike Marvin Gaye's album, Inner City Blues which was more of a cry for help, than Ball of Confusion's complaints and accusations. And I still think that that song along with the departure of David Ruffin ruined their 'pop' appeal and afterwards they were consigned to their base... 'soul', category.Although I am quite positive that much of information in the movie contained facts that I had long forgotten. One of the revelations to me were the number of things that I had never known. The main problems with biopics is that a life or should I say, lives, rarely conform to the plot points we have become used to when watching movies. This movie does. And does it with a twist. And does it with humour and tragedy and spirit and drama and most of all, humanity. I was mesmerized by this movie. It seemed to me that a big part of my childhood was being explained to me for the first time as an adult. And for the first time I understood it.Extraordinary talented performers, being able to both act and sing at such a high professional level. I did remember the temps songs enough to tell when the actors were singing and when they were lip singing. My only disappointment being that it was a TV movie as opposed to a real movie. All in all, though, it was a first rate movie, a must see for ANY music lover and a should see for anyone who likes good movies.
carolinadreamin66 I stumbled upon this movie by accident. Never even heard about it. Saw it for the first time last year. My roommate had bought it from the local Walmart. I missed the beginning but saw enough to know I had to keep watching it. I was truly mesmerized by what I saw. I was not a Temptations fan growing up. I'm from the original MTV era. My musical interest are all over the place! Duran Duran, Journey, Pat Benatar, Def Leppard,that's the stuff I liked back then. Today it's country Tim McGraw, Faith Hill,and some classic rock, but also The Spinners, and now The Temptations.Now I have my own place, and The Temptations movie was the first DVD I purchased. I just got in the mail The Temptations Emperors of Soul, and let me tell you it's a 5 disc, 105 songs total. I was blown away!! I recommend it to anyone who is a "Temp." fan. I'm not sure about the last 2 cd's in the set cause it's song from 1972 forward, it's after the Paul and David Ruffin era. But I will give it a listen.The actors they got to portray the singers did an excellent job of bringer the singers to film. I think Leon looks more David Ruffin, then the real David Ruffin. (lol) And I could look at Christian Payton forever!!! It's a shame there is not an original soundtrack featuring the actors singing the songs they preformed for the movie. This would be a cool cd to own along with the move.I do want to give a "shout out" about Dennis Edwards. He has a strong earthy voice, that just grabs you. He was also a contributor to the Temps, and the success of their music. Even though the movie focused on the 5 founding members, he stepped in when David stepped out.
jglo67 I have watched the Temptations Movie over and over again, I must say i love this movie, what amazes me is i really never seen the actors in too many movies, but these guys should have all been given some award for the acting they did, they had the moves down like jamie foxx had ray charles, this movie should have went to the big screen it was so sad it did not, i mean the dancing was impeccable, in have read anything i could find on this group, they had such tragic lives, paul was ill from sickle cell, and he was shot in head , the opposite side, meaning he could not have shot himself, but the movie still did an excellent excellent job, i vote for the big screen it's never too late they repeat movies all the time,leon i swear had David ruffin in his soul, talk about a tear jerker, i went to mr. ruffin's grave and i intend to go paul's too eddie is in birmingham, melvin in l.a. and thank God Otis is still with us, I love them all..