Actor-director Robert Townsend came to fame depicting the pitfalls of the Hollywood experience for black actors with his 1987 film HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE. Four years later, he took on the mid-'60s music scene with THE FIVE HEARTBEATS. After doing extensive research with long-lived pop/R&B group the Dells, he painted a cinematic scene of five young friends in the 60s who share the dream of making music. They journey together through three decades, experiencing all the ups and downs show business had to offer, intensified by the difficulties faces by black acts in the era of civil-rights protest. Interacting as everything from a close-knit musical family to occasional bitter rivals, the fictional Five Heartbeats experience both success and tragedy in this excellent film. The multi-talented Townshend functions as both director and star, alongside compelling performances by a cast that includes Leon and Diahann Caroll. Featuring a mix of original songs and classic Motown material, THE FIVE HEARTBEATS is an irresistible combination of music and drama that captures a unique period in American cultural history.
Theatrical release date: March 29, 1991.
Filmed entirely on location in Southern California.
The film introduces thirteen original songs and features performances of numerous Motown favorites. Also featured are two R&B classics by The Dells, "Stay in My Corner" and "Oh What A Night." Townsend did research for his fictional R&B group by hanging out and travelling with The Dells, an R&B group that has been together for 38 years. The Dells acted as techincal advisors on the film.
THE FIVE HEARTBEATS is "dedicated in loving memory of John Sherrod."
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Letterbox - 1.85
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby 4.0 - English
Stereo - Spanish, French
Additional Release Material:
Outtakes
Deleted Scenes
Featurette:
1. Meet the Heartbeats
2. The Five Heartbeats
3. The Nomination
Trailers:
1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. TV Spots
Behind the Scenes:
1. The Look
2. In the Studio
3. The Director's Process
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Easter Eggs
Scene Access
Text/Photo Galleries:
Biographies: Robert Townsend
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Review 1:
"...Musically, THE FIVE HEARTBEATS is on target all the way. It's hard to remember a recent film that had so many warm-hearted, rousing, big-souled song numbers..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.F1 03/29/1991
Review 2:
"...Fundamental sweetness and sincerity....[In cameo, Harold Nicholas's] very presence expands the range of this film..."
Source: New York Times
p.C14 03/29/1991
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