Thunder Soul

Play trailer

Thunder Soul

PG

2011

1h 28m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Members of a 1970s Texas high-school jazz band reunite for a concert honoring their dedicated teacher and bandleader, Conrad O. Johnson Sr.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Tom Long

Detroit News

Oct 7, 2011

B

There's a purity -- sense of righteousness and reunion and optimism -- that makes Thunder Soul galvanizing. Also, the music is smoking hot, which is pretty amazing, considering it comes from a high school band. And a bunch of oldsters.

Go to Full Review

William Goss

Film.com

Oct 7, 2011

All of the agreeable ingredients are there, but director Mark Landsman doesn't coast on the built-in feel-good factor.

Go to Full Review

John DeFore

Washington Post

Oct 7, 2011

3/4

Arguably, the current generation of funk and soul revivalists owes a debt to musicians who forged their astonishing sound in between Algebra study sessions.

Go to Full Review

Allen Almachar

The MacGuffin

Aug 5, 2020

A-

The kind of movie that sinks under your skin.

Go to Full Review

Neely Swanson

Easy Reader (California)

Sep 16, 2017

Thunder Soul reveals that fiction can never compete with the genuine emotions experienced in a true story well told.

Go to Full Review

Corey Hall

Metro Times (Detroit, MI)

Oct 16, 2011

A

...the unstoppable power of the music is an undeniable, stone groove

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Feb 24, 2020

How did I sleep The Kashmere Stage Band!? They bring yet another story of Music

See more

Jun 29, 2017

Kashmere Stage Band was so badass its ridiculous. Had no idea it was a high school band until I saw this. Nuts!

See more

Apr 10, 2016

A documentary about the Kashmere High School Stage Band. In the early 70's, Conrad Johnson lead the stage band from the Houston high school to world champions and international fame by holding the students to the musical standards expected of professional musicians and by incorporated cutting edge funk arrangements into the band's jazz repertoire. As a result, many of the kids from this severely underprivileged neighborhood ended up avoiding the spiral of poverty and crime that surrounded them. The film follows the genesis of the band, as well as a reunion by many of the original members 35 years later to play a tribute concert to their mentor. The music played by this band is simply incredible. At a time when Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock were considered to be on the cutting edge of jazz with their jazz-funk fusion, this high school band was playing similar material in competitions. A real demonstration of how much influence one man can have when he really tries to help kids.

See more

Mar 19, 2016

An inspirational heartf felt story about a wonderful funk band that had their lives transformed by their band leader and professor. What a tribute to this ground breaking man and a look into a time of hope and positivity for blacks in this country.

See more

Jul 29, 2014

This heartfelt doc is available on Netflix. This is the story of a real life Mr. Holland's Opus. With lots of archival footage and recordings and present day interviews this film illustrates the impact one music teacher had over 35 years. "Prof" turned a high school jazz band in the mid to late 70s into an award winning, touring, album making funk band. Great music throughout! Now, alumni from the band reunite to honor "Prof" at a Kashmere High School tribute concert. You probably lack a soul if you don't shed at least a few tears.

See more

Mar 31, 2014

Awesome film and great music! Can't wait to find an album of the Kashmere Stage Band

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Mark Landsman

Director

Keith Calder

Producer

Mark Landsman

Producer

Jessica Calder

Producer

Sandra Chandler

Cinematographer

Muscle Shoals

97%

89%

Muscle Shoals

Watchlist

Seymour: An Introduction

100%

79%

Seymour: An Introduction

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Seymour: An Introduction

Neil Young Journeys

88%

60%

Neil Young Journeys

Watchlist

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey

95%

87%

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey

Watchlist

Pina

95%

81%

Pina

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Members of a 1970s Texas high-school jazz band reunite for a concert honoring their dedicated teacher and bandleader, Conrad O. Johnson Sr.

Director: Mark Landsman
Producer: Keith Calder, Mark Landsman, Jessica Calder
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Snoot Entertainment
Rating: PG (Brief Language|Momentary Historical Smoking)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 23, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $143.6K
Runtime: 1h 28m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings