The Temptations (1998) (TV)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Allan Arkush

Writers (WGA):

Robert Johnson (teleplay) and
Kevin Arkadie (teleplay)

Release Date:

1 November 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

The unforgettable story of one of Motown's hottest acts.

Plot:

Biography of the singers who formed the hit Motown muisical act, The Temptations.

Plot Keywords:

Motown | Singer | 1960s | Soul Music | Record Producer

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Charles Malik Whitfield	...	Otis Williams
D.B. Woodside	...	Melvin Franklin
Terron Brooks	...	Eddie Kendricks
Christian Payton	...	Paul Williams
Leon	...	David Ruffin
Alan Rosenberg	...	Shelly Berger
Tina Lifford	...	Haze
Jenifer Lewis	...	Mama Rose
Gina Ravera	...	Josephine
Obba Babatundé	...	Berry Gordy
Erik Michael Tristan	...	Smokey Robinson
J. August Richards	...	Richard Street
Harold Surratt	...	Edgar
Charles Ley	...	Dennis Edwards
Vanessa Bell Calloway	...	Johnnie Mae Matthews

Runtime:

USA:150 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

De Passe Entertainment

Trivia:

Otis Williams' ex-wife Josephine, Melvin Franklin's mother Rose, and David Ruffin's family, filed suit against Williams, Motown, De Passe Entertainment, Hallmark Entertainment, and NBC for use of their likenesses in the film, defamation of character, and emotional distress. The plaintiffs claimed that they and/or their relatives and certain events were portrayed inaccurately. The judges ruled in favor of the defendants. The plaintiffs appealed but the original ruling was upheld. Otis Williams later stated that while his book was the source material for the film, he did not have control over the making of the film.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When David and Flynn are riding in the car laughing, they pass an SUV.

Quotes:

David Ruffin: I'm the one sellin' the records. They're comin' to see me.
Otis Williams: They're comin' to see the Temptations.
David Ruffin: Ain't nobody comin' to see you, Otis! You wish you could work it the way I do, but you can't! Because there is only one David Ruffin. And without him, the Temps ain't nothin' but a group in SEARCH of a David Ruffin. Matter of fact, I been thinkin'. We should call the group David Ruffin And The Temptations. Yeah, that sound good to me. Y'all beggin' me not to leave you.
[sings]
David Ruffin: "And I refuse to let you go." Yeah, David Ruffin And The Temptations. Whatcha think?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1999) (TV)

The way music movies should be

The Temptations is clearly one of the finest music miniseries ever made.The casting is great all of the men(some of whom were unknowns) are great in the film, but the scene stealers is Leon as the group's lead singer David Ruffin. The songs and script are very good and the film is very heartbreaking in some moments. But all in all a great music movie.