Say Amen, Somebody (1982)

Directed by

George Nierenberg

Genre

documentary film

Country

United States

Runtime

1h 40m

Rated

G

Rating

7.1 of 10 from 7 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

This documentary profiles key figures in gospel music history. It follows Thomas Dorsey and Willie Mae Ford Smith along with several singing groups as they perform and share their stories.

celebratoryintimateupliftingspiritedheartfeltreverentnostalgic

What happens

Say Amen, Somebody is a 1982 American documentary film directed by George Nierenberg about the history and significance of gospel music as told through the lives and trials of its singers. Included are Thomas A. Dorsey, considered the "Father of Gospel Music", and "Mother" Willie Mae Ford Smith, an associate of Dorsey's who trained gospel singers for decades. Ford and three singing acts – Delois Barrett Campbell and the Barrett Sisters, Zella Jackson Price, and the O'Neal Twins, Edgar and Edward, backed by a choir – provide music throughout. After its debut at the New York Film Festival to a sold out audience, Say Amen, Somebody saw a limited release in major cities. It received widespread critical acclaim with reviewers focusing especially on the strong personalities within gospel and the joyful music. It was restored in 2019 and was shown at limited theaters, again receiving positive reviews. In 2025, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant." (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

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