"Amazing Grace": The Aretha Franklin documentary that took 46 years

[@majorboyce123]

So glad that this film has been released. I have all her music tapes, vinyl, and cds. Of all the music she recorded Amazing Grace was the best recording of her recording career in my opinion. To be able to see her sing it on film live is wonderful. Many times people had said she didn't do the album live. Lol seeing will be definitely be believing. Rest on Queen we still loving you LadySoul .loved this interview.

[@kevinmansell8746]

i am happy her nephew and niece decided this is the right time to release the documentary that meant so much to us after all these many many years later

[@clarencesanders3789]

That is the best gospel record ever sold.

[@rosebuddraper2666]

I can't wait until this documentary goes national..... I might cry, seriously. I have since 1972 at 5 yrs old, after thoroughly studying the album cover front and back, wished I was there and could see her singing. To me this is a dream come true.

[@NubbyG05]

I've been waiting for the release of this film for decades.......it is a dream come true!

[@oceanview777]

Y

[@rosebuddraper2666]

@@oceanview777 Y what??

[@kcdav7]

The movie was spectacular. The emotion, passion, the artistry and church! Praise God. Lady Soul at her finest. It’s a must see.

[@teresab208]

I saw it. Aretha is at her best. I hope it comes on DVD

[@andrieswillemdeboer5675]

I've been waiting for this film for also 46 years and I'm so excited, I can't wait for the release. I love you my QUEEN!

[@jmusic45]

I think they will be shouting at the movie theatre.

[@bonnietaylor-williams5112]

I cannot wait to see this documentary/concert!!! I was a child riding back and forth from Chicago to Detroit with my grandmother to service her clients in her Hair Weev salon listening to that 8 track Amazing Grace Tape all the way there and back for a couple of years. I especially remember riding in her triple Black on Black in Black Cadillac Fleetwood. #PreciousMemories Although we love love loved the entire album Oh Mary Don’t You Weep is still her favorite. It was extra special because her mother, my great grandmother’s name was Mary. It wasn’t the best for nothing, that album transcended generations!!! From all of my mother’s, my great grandmother, my grandmother Selena , my mother Juanita all the way to me as part of our then fourth generation member. I would really love to own a copy of that recorded documentary and especially a copy of the “Live At Fillmore” recording!!! With Ms. Franklin’s rendition of Spirit In The Dark with Mr. Ray Charles...OH MY GOD!!! King Curtis, directing the band and Billy Preston on Organ... My Sweet Lord #WithTheseHands Weev* patented spelling

[@queenvme]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! It was well worth the wait-God Bless You All!!!

[@danielsjerry1]

This was amazing production cant wait to see it again, Aretha was amazing, nobody like the Queen.

[@reellife8707]

Tirrell seem like a humble guy very respectable to the family.

[@MrErnieFaison]

I can't wait to to see it and hopefully own it. I thought the interviewer did a great job.

[@raymondcurry2278]

But so much hand movement for the simplest interview. Sit on your hands.

[@DorretteGYoung]

I read that she carried her purse on stage because before EVERY PERFORMANCE she had to get paid CASH!!! before going out on that stage. Good business sense.

[@donnaharris7891]

Dorrette Young Yes it was said that she had to be paid approximately $25,000.00; a portion of her fee so that she could pay her band (or background singers, or Both) after each set. She liked to pay them in cash.

[@DorretteGYoung]

@@donnaharris7891 And to pay herself too I'd imagine.

[@donnaharris7891]

Dorrette Young Yes probably back in her early days artists had a hard time getting paid so I imagine that she required her full pay before going on stage. As things got better, and payment was guaranteed, according to her brother Vaughn as written in one of the biographies about her, her requirement was as I stated earlier. She even got in trouble with the IRS because their was no taxes paid on those monies.

[@DorretteGYoung]

It was good that she looked out for her band and everyone in that way.

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

Not good sense - paranoia and hostility instilled by decades of fear that the Man is out to rob her at every turn. When most of the time the thievery was done by those closest to her.

[@ElijahLukeMusic]

That's Erma's twin wow

[@aisensantana6765]

Looks identical to her mom

[@jmusic45]

I was wondering was she Erma's daughter as she looks just like her. You right.

[@patriciamijnals9115]

Aretha’s niece and nephew are looking good. I’m already like them.

[@AboubacarSiddikh]

So sad religious fanatics are taking the floor here in the comment section. Judge not and you shall not be judged. If you have a problem with this movie coming out, don't go and see it. We will tell you all about it. I'm sure millions will love it. Can't wait for a wider release (since I'm in Holland)...

[@omarchandler4983]

Although I feel a little conflicted because it appears that she didn’t want this film released, I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS FILM! The trailer is electric! Can’t wait to see history in the making. Aretha Franklin is a legend!

[@oceanview777]

Thank u Franklin family and producers. I just watched Amazing Grace. Im going to watch it over and over, as Its so inspiring.what a beautiful, classy family. Just like Ms.Franklin they speak in her dignified, articulate way. And I love seeing how much they loved their aunt.❤️❤️

[@getyourkicks]

she wanted it released and they couldnt come to an agreement .. but they finally came together after the funeral ...

[@twyncolen4124]

Can't wait to see it.🖤❣🖤

[@sammierandall5634]

I got to wait until gets to Cleveland Ohio.

[@danielsims3077]

I have been THE fan of the Forever " Queen of Soul", Lady Soul"and "Diva Supreme," Miss Aretha Franklin since 1967 when I was 13 years old. I have had the "Amazing Grace" album for many years. By itself, ii is a powerful musical testimony of faith filled with praise and reverence for Almighty God. Watching her perform those great gospel songs with Rev James Cleveland, the band, the congregation....If you are not moved, touched, with deep emotion,, , you must be either deaf or disturbed. Not a fan of the" Queen" ? Don't care for gospel music? Watch and listen to her multi- octave voice soar, dip, shout and moan with pure, unequalled emotion. The simple, honest beauty of the songs, the support of the musicians and choir will change your heart and touch your soul. After seeing this film, those who admire the " "Queen" will appreciate and respect her even more. As her father, the late Rev. C.L. Franklin says in his brief speech , Aretha Franklin was, is and always will be "a stone singer"...and as many music scholars, teachers, critics and fans believe, the greatest singer black or white, male or female ever to record. Amen!

[@adrina911]

I live that album I bought it in high school.

[@virginiacoleman2340]

Erma & Sabrina look like twins!!!

[@locdemperor4378]

Precious Memories was a video I’ve always wanted to see

[@ShangoJamal]

The truth is Aretha did NOT want this movie released because it WASN'T RIGHT. She said the editing and synchronization was horrible! She even got an injunction against it's showing just a few years ago.

[@gart9680]

Basically what the guy said. Understandable by Aretha. You're arguably the biggest female singing star in the world at this point and the actually filming wasn't up to scratch.

[@elizabethhazel6039]

The suit / injunction was pressed because of using her image without permission. There seems to be more to Aretha Franklin's resistance to releasing this film than has come to light. She's a woman with a load of mysteries about her life - plenty of events that were never explained.

[@whitneyfan9019]

Sabrina looks exactly like her mother Erma! Damn they are twins

[@christhomas5761]

I was just thinking the same thing, she looks just like Erma.

[@laron323]

Yes, she was with Aretha at the UNCF tribute and I thought it was Erma, but Erma had already passed away.

[@whitneyfan9019]

laron214 omg your right. All these years I thought that was Erma with her at the UNCF tribute. But erma died a few years before that.

[@laron323]

By the way, I just saw the film and it was awesome. It was just too short, it didn't include all of the songs but there were great moments. And at the end I was boo hooing. I hope everyone can see it.

[@patriciamijnals9115]

Sabrina can you sing too? Your voice sound Nice.

[@stevenblackwell3899]

Sabrina looks like her mother,aretha,s sister Irma.

[@magicblack2709]

Erma was the Prettiest sister out of all of them.

[@rosemaryglover9119]

Yes she does

[@bigeman25]

God bless her, Sabrina looks just like her mother Irma, God rest her soul. I thought it was her, but I know she has passed.

[@shancr1424]

This is an absolute disgrace that it took this LONG!! YOU SEE this is new to the younger generation BUT NOT to my GENERATION we have the album This is one of our anthems.

[@latanyagreene2202]

Can't wait

[@imjustlooking888]

I’m very excited about this film. It’s WELL deserved. I want it!

[@simplyamust]

They're not respecting her wishes. Aretha didn't want this film released and addressed it in 2015. Not releasing it had nothing to do with audio in 2015 because if that was the case what's changed?

[@larrycampbell3407]

What about Sam Cooke legendary performance with the Soul Stirrers in Newark Nj

[@tboyd6645]

i have always been obsessed with this album, but when and where is it being released. will it be shown in major theaters?

[@willthebest1]

Very nice interview! Love it! 💯✊🏾✌🏾️

[@sizzlinsondra715]

I can't wait to see this movie

[@JustServe-Him]

There is no Doubt that Sabrina is Ermas Daughter

[@bshef3424]

Prime? Netflix? KZbinTV?...How to watch the doc?....who's carrying it?

[@champlivedr]

Movie theater

[@everready2903]

Cinema

[@reginadavis1028]

Is it just me or does the neice look like the great, legendary Pastor Shirley Ceasar!

[@raymondcurry2278]

Or Anita Bakers sister.

[@chancebrown106]

@@raymondcurry2278 ok I’m glad I wasn’t the only one! Comment section was saying Aretha’s sister Erma and while that is obvious, I too thought a more niche reference was Miss Anita!

[@garysmith8073]

When I saw this film, it was like she was SINGING IN THE LIVING ROOM .

[@ramonabuckbrown]

Looking forward to seeing this

[@virginiacoleman2340]

When is the "Amazing Grace" movie coming to the theaters???

[@hayesmoses7754]

April 5, 2019

[@larryreynolds5136]

May 10th 2019

[@qwanie18]

She is every splitting image of her mama she is in her mama's twins. Erma know she spit her out.

[@kevingreen3775]

I love Sabrina and Vaughn. Class. Representing as the Queen would’ve wanted

[@SonOfSoulEnt]

If you go look up Aretha&Erma singing”The Old Landmark”you’d think that was Sabrina up there singing with her.Its like a reincarnation,wow..

[@judiko142]

Love that the producer Tirrell Whittley discusses her activism and its impact 10:00

[@marvelous2430]

$$$$ ARETHA FRANKLIN WAS THE RECORDING ARTIST IF SHE SAID NO THAT MEANS NO HOW DARE THEY

[@pdoe4966]

Where are her sons? Why do they have a niece and a nephew talking? We want to hear from her children. Could it be they don’t support the release of this film? She never wanted this released. How disrespectful!!!! We love you Aretha! You are forever the Queen of Everything!!!

[@lynnelaine594]

In every family their are always ones that are more comfortable public speakers and more articulate and comfortable with interviews. One of Aretha's son's is special needs, It's seem like her niece is that one. We are so glad that we get to see the album and grateful. I have been waiting for all this time myself. I'm 63 years old and I can remember the time Aretha could not even handle an interview by herself, people went with her. Then of course over the years she blossomed into a strong woman that could hold her own.

[@marieOH5]

Lynne Adams I think you’re right. I saw her niece with her a lot when she would be honored etc. I do hope they are all in agreement but I’m going to see the film regardless. I still play her Amazing Grace album.

[@randyrichardson1980]

I think it all about money greed

[@mylesburris3885]

The niece and nephew are LYING!!! The children are NOT on board with this!

[@mylesburris3885]

@@randyrichardson1980 it is, they ARE GREEDY!!!!!!!

[@nenehenry9400]

I heard she didn't want it released, because of her loyalty to Clara Ward. She was ill. And didn't like how I she looked. Who is this crook

[@Reginaldsusa2000]

I can totally believe this .. I heard an interview of Aretha talking about this film before and she was vehement that it not be released and I'm sure it was more than a synchronization of the sound problem that made her feel that way .. Now that she is dead the family could care less as to why she didn't want it released .. they just see dollar signs

[@bobby12348]

They could have edited her out so I'm don't sure of that .

[@lovelife-qn2si]

Goodafternoon, I saw the documentary and Clara Ward was up clapping and singing to climbing higher mountains. She looked fine to me

[@aisensantana6765]

Vaughn looks like CL Franklin

[@jeannetteduette6704]

Head shape and everything!

[@raymondcurry2278]

That's NOT compliment. ...The Rev. C L impregnated a 14 year old child in his church, and a skirt chaser.

[@versacebouy86]

Completely understand her wishes, but the works and fans want to see more. If it show her in a positive light there is no desecration of her wishes. Now, I'd love for the family to allow or release Mr. Tilton to upload or print all the video footage of the late Rev C.L. Franklin sermons recorded between 1976 and 1978. The world would love to see Dr. Franklin in full view preaching the eternal words of God.

[@dmajor991]

A lot of ppl actin as if this ‘Amazing Grace’ film is showin Aretha in a bad light or it’s demeaning her character.. it’s literally her recording her album in a church, it’s basically a church service (if you’ve listened to the album).. ppl, like me, wanted to see the visuals.. a lot of y’all are way to invested and carry around that black generational “someone died and all the family wants is money” syndrome .. maybe with the Houston’s and others but I don’t see it with the Franklins

[@tellnolies8530]

give people their flowers while they are living... 46 yrs!!?? NO

[@boogiedownbronx73]

someone upload the film to torrent

[@jamberry8026]

They wanted Aretha to sell the rights to the movie and that is why it never came out... Truth be told. Her executor finally sold the rights, because Aretha is not able to stop it anymore.

[@raymondcurry2278]

And the family needs the $$coin for debts she left...the taxman cometh.

[@jamberry8026]

@@raymondcurry2278 She didn't owe that much tax money to the point it would break her. Also the movie is a stream and only showing in limited areas at a time. It ain't like anybody is making that much money on it. It is more like a memorial to her. Her family is not responsible for her tax debt, and IRS can not can not touch what has been bequeathed. If you are not an Aretha fan you don't know what you are talking about and are hating in the first place.

[@employme09]

If she didn't want it released she would not have taped it, she was not happy with what was presented to her as the final cut, hopefully the family has ensured that her specifications were addressed. By the way Wendy Williams keep your damned mouth shut when you don't know what you're talking about

[@jozehar9985]

The interviewer is hot...

[@ranran1300]

ARTIST CRUTIQUE THEM SELVES I THINK SHE FELT SHE COULD OF DONE BETTER.

[@missmyasia]

Watching this makes my blood boil!!! Her niece and nephew are clueless and are a bunch of opportunists! How do you sit there and allow these vultures to put out a piece of HER art that she fought against its release for 46 years? And then sit on the same couch looking stupid when asked why Aretha didnt want it released. SHE SAID IN HER BOOK AND VARIOUS INTERVIEWS WHY SHE DIDNT! And was furious with the way they shot and recorded it and how disrespectful the cameramen were .. Filming a gospel concert , with cameras under women's dresses ( most notably Clara Ward)...was distasteful . She tried to stop this release as recent as 3 years ago... gimme a freakin break! Ergh

[@jamesblackledge8323]

Looks more like Pastor Shirley Ceasar's niece

[@jdfodio]

Aretha didn't want the film released. Clearly, King Jesus overruled the "Queen of Soul". It's not about her. True Gospel music is about JESUS CHRIST, not the singer. Somebody will probably get saved by watching it. "If you're in the right church with the right choir singing the right song, even a Jew will come to Jesus!" - Babyface in "Whitney" re: how she sang the national anthem in a "gospel" way

[@theanonymousone9668]

She's her niece. A 40-50 year old woman. And the first she ever heard of the movie was 3 years ago. These phony mofos. Wasnt even interested until she saw the money involved

[@neemael]

So they waited until Ms Franklin dies, to release it? She did not want it !!!!!!! Y’all making it to make money that’s it. Ms Franklin didn’t need it. Everybody knew how fabulous she was…period!!!!!!!!

[@raymondcurry2278]

In her furs.....tossing them on the floor.

[@bradtorville5526]

I think it's a disgrace and a slap in the face of Ms. Franklin. She did not want the film released and her wishes should have been respected, even after her death. That her family consented and released it, demonstrates how little respect they had for her in the end.

[@phyllisgoodnight9481]

My I ask why are her niece and nephew always saying something and not her children

[@rantybaby1327]

@@phyllisgoodnight9481 , Ms Franklin CHOOSE her niece to be her spokeswoman!

[@rantybaby1327]

@ Brad Torville, Why didn't she want it released? 🤔🤔

[@calvinhill9363]

BECAUSE SHE IS THE GUARDIAN OF HER ESTATE APPOINTED BY HER CHILDREN, SHE WANTED IT SHOWED BUT THE FLIM WAS NOT UP TO HER STANDARDS, THE SOUND, LIGHTING, CAPTION, AND THEY WERE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY OFF HER.HER KIDS KNOWS WHAT IS GOING ON. SABRINA AND ARETHA WERE REAL CLOSE

[@turntableone4356]

I recall Aretha said in her autobiography that she didn't like the camera angles and that the camera was filming up women's dresses and near women's legs and she did not like that. @@rantybaby1327

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

“Mythos” is not pronounced “meee-thoe-s.” Why do people use words on camera they can’t pronounce? This film release is a money grab so the relatives can have a cash infusion until a court approves the real money flow - which could take years. Michelle Miller - one of the worst, most self-aggrandizing pseudo-interviewers on TV - is too timid to drag out the real story of why Aretha refused to allow the release.

[@jacquelineperry5873]

If Aretha needed money she would have sold all this herself she wasn’t hurting for money.and she kept that to herself.she wasn’t money hungry cause she could have made millions abroad but never went.

[@malcumx5933]

Of course, look at the white man for all of the answers, although her NEPHEW and niece is sitting right next to you.

[@shawndajones4844]

Is it true that her father get her pregnant at 13..?

[@tonidevine4083]

she had two kids as a teenager but NO! they were not by her father at all.

[@raymondcurry2278]

I believe it.m he impregnated a 14 year old child in his church.He was a dirty dog.

[@tonidevine4083]

@@raymondcurry2278 her father was known to have plenty women but it's a difference between him being a "player" than being a child rapist because that's essentially what that is.

[@dorthylundy9573]

Toni D