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Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown

Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown

2014·Movie·1h 55m

Music, Documentary

6.9 / 10 (43 votes)

James Brown changed the face of American music forever. Abandoned by his parents at an early age, James Brown was a self-made man who became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, not just through his music, but also as a social activist. Charting his journey from rhythm and blues to funk, MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN features rare and previously unseen footage, photographs and interviews, chronicling the musical ascension of “the hardest working man in show business,” from his first hit, “Please, Please, Please,” in 1956, to his iconic performances at the Apollo Theater, the T.A.M.I. Show, the Paris Olympia and more.

Directed by
Alex Gibney
Original language
English
Released
27 April 2014

Where to Watch

Availability in the US · Subtitle and audio track data

Prime Video
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Subtitle and audio languages not checked yet.

Last verified 2 Nov 2026

Cast

  • James Brown

    James Brown

    Self (archive footage)

  • Bootsy Collins

    Bootsy Collins

    Self

  • Chuck D

    Chuck D

    Self

  • Mick Jagger

    Mick Jagger

    Self

  • Questlove

    Questlove

    Self

  • Bobby Byrd

    Bobby Byrd

    Self

  • Melvin Parker

    Melvin Parker

    Self

  • Maceo Parker

    Maceo Parker

    Self

  • Clyde Stubblefield

    Clyde Stubblefield

    Self

  • MH

    Martha High

    Self

  • Alan Leeds

    Alan Leeds

    Self

  • Pee Wee Ellis

    Pee Wee Ellis

    Self