Skip to main content

Deep Dive: Amazing Grace (2018)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace is a concert film featuring Aretha Franklin recording her 1972 live gospel album at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Directed by Sydney Pollack, the film captures Franklin's powerful performance alongside the Southern California Community Choir, directed by Alexander Hamilton. The footage, originally shot over two nights in January 1972, presents Franklin singing from the church's lectern and piano to a predominantly African-American audience, with James Cleveland serving as master of ceremonies. The film faced significant delays in release due to technical issues and legal disputes. After being stored in a Warner Bros. vault for decades, producer Alan Elliott acquired the footage and worked to synchronize the audio and visual elements. Following Franklin's death in 2018, her family allowed the film's release, which premiered at Doc NYC that same year and was later released worldwide on April 5, 2019. The film has received critical acclaim for its portrayal of Franklin's artistry and the gospel music tradition.

Why Watch

  • •See Aretha Franklin's iconic 1972 gospel performance.
  • •Meet the Southern California Community Choir in action.
  • •Find out about the legal battles delaying its release.

Did You Know

•The film was shot over two nights on January 13 and 14, 1972.
•Aretha Franklin's father, C. L. Franklin, appears in the film.
•Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts attended the recording sessions.
•The film was stored in a Warner Bros. vault until 2007.

Perfect For

Gospel music fansAretha Franklin enthusiastsDocumentary lovers