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.
Alex Gibney
Writer
Alex Gibney
Director
Mick Jagger
Producer
Victoria Pearman
Producer
Peter Afterman
Producer
Blair Foster
Producer
Maryse Alberti
Director of Photography
James Brown
Self (archive footage)
Bootsy Collins
Self
Chuck D
Self
Mick Jagger
Self
Questlove
Self
Bobby Byrd
Self
Melvin Parker
Self
Maceo Parker
Self
Clyde Stubblefield
Self
Martha High
Self
Alan Leeds
Self
Pee Wee Ellis
Self
