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The Greatest Night in Pop

PG-13 Released Jan 31 1h 36m Documentary Music History List
98% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 89% Audience Score 250+ Ratings
On January 25, 1985, dozens of the biggest names in music convened at a studio in Los Angeles, checked their egos at the door and recorded a song to benefit African famine relief that would alter global pop culture history. The Greatest Night in Pop chronicles the massive undertaking to assemble the world's most impressive supergroup in a world before cell phones and email. That group of artists -- led by the song's co-writers and two of the most significant musicians of the 20th century -- Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie -- came from different worlds but united to record "We Are the World." Featuring never-before-seen footage, the film details the early planning stages, including the writing sessions with Richie and Jackson, and goes inside the famed Henson Studios where "We Are the World" was recorded. Many of the artists who were there that legendary evening -- Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Loggins, Dionne Warwick, and Huey Lewis -- reminisce alongside musicians, engineers, and production crew about one of the most storied nights in music history. Read More Read Less
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The Greatest Night in Pop

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Critics Consensus

A briskly paced celebration of a one-of-a-kind musical moment, The Greatest Night in Pop uncovers new stories while reminding viewers of the humanitarian vision that made it all happen.

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Critics Reviews

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Craig Mathieson The Age (Australia) Director Bao Nguyen is also wryly bemused by the now historic celebrity assemblage and thankfully intrigued by the logistical and creative demands of creating an anthem. Feb 29, 2024 Full Review Ty Burr Ty Burr's Watch List (Substack) Even if the song itself is pretty lame, it doesn’t actually matter. It has a hook and you can donate to it. Rated: 3/4 Feb 14, 2024 Full Review Alonso Duralde Breakfast All Day It's really fascinating. Rated: 7.8/10 Feb 8, 2024 Full Review Tony Macklin tonymacklin.net The Greatest Night in Pop may be the best film about the creative process ever on the screen. Rated: 10/10 Jun 15, 2024 Full Review Linda Cook OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois) It takes viewers back to the making of a classic. Rated: 3 1/2 stars May 20, 2024 Full Review Louisa Moore Screen Zealots This behind-the-scenes look at the recording of the 1985 hit “We Are the World” isn’t a particularly well made documentary, but it delivers a Gen X dopamine hit like no other. Mar 5, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brian H Solid documentary, but I'm not a huge fan of the genre. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/13/24 Full Review Renan R Após ficar ciente de que haveria um documentário falando sobre os bastidores da música We Are The World, eu fiquei me perguntando pq demorou tanto tempo assim pra falar de uma obra em que reuniu os maiores nomes dos anos 60, 70, e 80 e principalmente iríamos descobrir como Quincy, Lionel, Michael e Wonder chegaram a esse feito. Já na Introdução senti falta de um aprofundamento na causa por trás da reunião de grandes artistas. Somos apresentados a Harry BeLafonte o precursor da causa que seria o motivo dessa reunião tão poderosa, porém em um ritmo acelerado (talvez seja a edição acelerada e emocionada para nos falarmos como tudo isso aconteceu) faz nos esquecer do motivo e do por quê tudo issp aconteceu. Um dos produtores, Lionel Richie, que liderou o projeto e aqui nos conta com riqueza e emoção, nos convida a acompanhar e apreciar o comportamento de cada estrela do pop, soul e rock and roll. Cada gesto, cada incômodo, insegurança e principalmente a ansiedade de concluir um grande projeto. Faz com que o telespectador se sinta naquele ambiente rico e poderoso. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/31/24 Full Review Peter K This chronicled an era and the stars that made it so special! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/15/24 Full Review Chris M. J This is a song that was overplayed in the 1980s. For those who grew up then, we can sing it even if we don't really like that song. BUT... the story behind the making of this song is fascinating, and this documentary freezes in time the moment that our childhood icons gathered together in one room to make a difference. Check your ego at the door and enjoy this wonderful documentary. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/22/24 Full Review Dave S In 1985, Harry Belafonte, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson harnessed their talents to bring together some of the biggest music stars of the period and, over the course of an evening, creating We Are the World in an effort to address the famine disaster in Ethiopia. The Greatest Night in Pop, a documentary that covers the process from writing of the song to the star-studded recording session, is relentlessly entertaining from beginning to end and a great piece of nostalgia for those who remember the time period. Defying the odds, the singers (including the likes of Springsteen, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and countless others) managed to check their egos at the door, for the most part, and dedicate an evening to saving lives. Worth the price of admission alone are the shots of the always aloof Bob Dylan looking lost and more than a little confused throughout the session. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/09/24 Full Review stephen b The film stretches to create any points of tension, which limits its potential as a great documentary. It's still quite the time capsule or artifact of music history. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/20/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis On January 25, 1985, dozens of the biggest names in music convened at a studio in Los Angeles, checked their egos at the door and recorded a song to benefit African famine relief that would alter global pop culture history. The Greatest Night in Pop chronicles the massive undertaking to assemble the world's most impressive supergroup in a world before cell phones and email. That group of artists -- led by the song's co-writers and two of the most significant musicians of the 20th century -- Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie -- came from different worlds but united to record "We Are the World." Featuring never-before-seen footage, the film details the early planning stages, including the writing sessions with Richie and Jackson, and goes inside the famed Henson Studios where "We Are the World" was recorded. Many of the artists who were there that legendary evening -- Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Loggins, Dionne Warwick, and Huey Lewis -- reminisce alongside musicians, engineers, and production crew about one of the most storied nights in music history.
Director
Bao Nguyen
Producer
Bruce Eskowitz, George Hencken, Larry Klein, Julia Nottingham, Harriet Sternberg, Lionel Richie
Distributor
Netflix
Production Co
Makemake, Paramount Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Some Strong Language)
Genre
Documentary, Music, History
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 31, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 29, 2024
Runtime
1h 36m
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