Rating: NR
Genre:
Drama
Theatrical Release: XX/XX/1998(USA)
Release Date: 09/25/2001
SubTitles: English
Dubbed: English
Sound: DDS
Run Time: 150 min
Flags: Adult Situations
Distributor/Studio: Hallmark
This biographical TV miniseries tracks members of the famed
Motown group,
The Temptations, faithfully following their rise to fame and the subsequent downhill race in a chronological coverage spanning 40 years. In 1958, when Detroit high-schoolers harmonize on street corners to meet girls,
Otis Williams (
Charles Malik Whitfield) finds his mom Haze (
Tina Lifford) supports his singing but not his stepfather Edgar (
Harold Surratt). When Williams brings together his group
The Siberians -- with
Franklin (
D.B. Woodside) and
Al Bryant (
Chaz Lamar Shepherd) -- producer
Johnnie Mae Matthews (
Vanessa Bell Calloway) records the group as
Otis Williams and the Distants. They perform with
The Primes, including Kendricks (
Terron Brooks) and
Paul Williams (
Christian Payton), and
The Primettes (later
The Supremes). When group members merge as
The Elgins,
Berry Gordy (
Obba Babatunde) begins grooming the group. The name is changed to
The Temptations, and a 1963 New Year's Eve altercation results in
David Ruffin (Leon) replacing Bryant.
The Motortown Revue is launched, and
Smokey Robinson (
Erik Michael Tristan) teams with
Norman Whitfield (
Mel Jackson) to compose/produce
My Girl and
Ain't Too Proud to Beg. As Ruffin becomes hooked on coke, Gordy moves to intro
The Temptations to white record-buyers. In part two,
Dennis Edwards (
Charles Ley) replaces Ruffin, and after
Paul Williams' suicide and some members leave the group, the act is dropped by
Motown, later returning for a reunion tour and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This four-hour miniseries premiered November 1 on
NBC. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
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