One of the most acclaimed music documentaries of all time, Say Amen, Somebody is George Nierenberg’s masterpiece — a joyous, funny, deeply emotional celebration of African American culture, featuring the father of Gospel, Thomas A. Dorsey (“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”); its matron, Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith; and earth-shaking performances by the Barrett Sisters and the O’Neal Twins. When it was first released in the early 1980s, the film received an overwhelming critical response, garnering rave reviews around the world.
“One of the most joyful movies I’ve ever seen.”
— Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
“The film’s mood is never less than marvelously infectious.”
— Richard Schickel, Time
“The music conquers doubt and unhappiness, and when it ends, you feel healed.”
— David Denby, New York Magazine
Unseen in cinemas for nearly thirty years, Say Amen, Somebody has been gorgeously restored to 4K by Milestone with support from the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Academy Film Archive. The new restoration features brilliantly restored 5.1 soundtrack!
A Milestone Film release. A GTN Pictures Production Produced and Directed by George T. Nierenberg
Editor Paul Barnes Directors of Photography Ed Lachman and Don Lenzer Sound Danny Michael John Hampton Neelon Crawford Featuring Willie Mae Ford Smith Thomas A. Dorsey Sallie Martin Delois Barret Campbell and the Barrett Sisters The O’Neal Twins Zella Jackson Price Film to 4K digital restoration by Metropolis Post. Audio Restoration and5.1 Sound by Audio Mechanics. Restoration Produced by Milestone Film & Video and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Academy Film Archive, with funding by the Robert F. Smith Fund Professional Curation Project and Academy Film Archive. Restoration supervised by George T. Nierenberg.
