

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.

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

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals Olympia 2023
· 2026 · Movie

New Century Ultraman Legend
5.5 · 2002 · Movie

New Century 2003 Ultraman Legend: THE KING'S JUBILEE
8 · 2003 · Movie

Moonwalker
7.1 · 1988 · Movie

Honey
6.4 · 2003 · Movie

When We Were Kings
7.6 · 1996 · Movie

Ladies Night Out
· 1983 · Movie

The Secret of Selling the Negro
6 · 1954 · Movie

SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)
7.1 · 2025 · Movie

Mitt i steget
· 1999 · Movie

Mommy, What's a Funkadelic?
· Movie

Martha Reeves: Live in Concert
· 2012 · Movie