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Canada · 2017
1h 43m
Director Catherine Bainbridge, Alfonso Maiorana
Starring Robbie Robertson, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Martin Scorsese, Tony Bennett
Genre Documentary, Music
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This documentary explores the deep impact of Native American musicians on the history of American popular music, including the development of rock and blues. Looking at musicians like rock guitar innovator Link Wray and jazz singer Mildred Bailey, the film sheds light on an often ignored part of American musical history.
Village Voice by Alan Scherstuhl
While overstuffed and scattershot, this episodic documentary makes a vital argument: That American popular music, especially the blues and rock ’n’ roll, owe much more to Native Americans than has been commonly credited.
The whole film is a lively lesson in music history that should stimulate renewed interest in Native American artists and convince other documentary filmmakers that there is still much more to explore
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) by Brad Wheeler
This film is about giving credit where previously neglected credit is due. “You wouldn’t let us talk about it before,” Robertson says at the end of the doc. “But now I’m going to talk about it real loud.” No volume is too much at this point.
This is history that Americans should know, and the filmmaker approach Rumble as an introductory survey course.
The movie goes down byways you might not have expected: Taboo from Black Eyed Peas makes an appearance, and heavy metal shows up via both guitarist Steve Salas (one of the movie’s executive producers) and drummer Randy Castillo, who played with Ozzy. Their stories are among the movie’s most moving.
Although its reach occasionally exceeds its grasp, Catherine Bainbridge’s Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World earns respect as much for its achievement as its ambition.
The Hollywood Reporter by Justin Lowe
As Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana’s astoundingly rich and resonant music documentary makes abundantly clear, American popular music – and the history of rock and roll itself – wouldn’t be the same without the contributions of Native American performers.
The New York Times by Ken Jaworowski
If you couldn’t name two Native American musicians at the beginning of the documentary, you’ll remember at least a half-dozen after the end. And it’s a good bet you’ll be searching for their albums, too.
Washington Post by Michael O'Sullivan
About a musical genre not known for quiet contemplation, “Rumble” asks us to be still for a moment and to listen to the heartbeat — at once familiar and newly strange — that pumps the lifeblood that flows through the songs this country is known for.
Christian Science Monitor by Peter Rainer
What is strikingly brought home in “Rumble” is how the vast stew of influences in American music, rather than diluting everything, makes the music all the more powerful.
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Documentary about the life and career of Indigenous musician and activist Buffy Sainte-Marie.