This 1979 documentary film (based on the 1973 book by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird) contains music by Stevie Wonder, who also appears at the end of the movie. The Beatles' Here Comes The Sun is in the movie as well.

I'd love to see the film in a remastered condition with director's commentary. Def one of the most courageous moves by Stevie Wonder.

I've always wanted to see how well the score goes with the movie. I will check this out later...Thanks!

Here's a music video for another of the songs from the soundtrack.

Thank you SO MUCH for posting!

Didn't know that documentary was floating on the internet!

my father "joetuuper" is the one that uploaded this to youtube...give him a sub! we're huge Stevie fans.

Harlepolis said:

I'd love to see the film in a remastered condition with director's commentary. Def one of the most courageous moves by Stevie Wonder.

Yep. Likewise sis.

NMuzakNSoul said:

my father "joetuuper" is the one that uploaded this to youtube...

Tell your dad he's THE MAN!

Harlepolis said:

I'd love to see the film in a remastered condition with director's commentary.

I don't see this happening, since the movie had limited release in theaters and is obscure. I'm not sure it has ever been officially released on video.

the critics killed him for this and the public didn't respond well either but I loved the album. Most important of all, for whatever it's faults, Stevie tried to do something more goddamit and got his heart broken (i'm sure) for it. Maybe in the future people will reasess it.

mozfonky said:

the critics killed him for this and the public didn't respond well either but I loved the album. Most important of all, for whatever it's faults, Stevie tried to do something more goddamit and got his heart broken (i'm sure) for it. Maybe in the future people will reasess it.

I've never understood the purpose of critics. Why do people need some person paid to say whether something is good or not to see a movie or buy a record?

People are just mean, everyone thinks they know best, as a musician I know that. Critics simply cross all kinds of lines, and I guess any public person should be prepared but well, stars are human and it's very painful usually to have their work assaulted. One Stevie book really pissed me off, the writer was a musician, and again, as a musician myself, it's always musicians who are the most brutal. Well this asshole took out his competition on poor stevie especially with the Secret Life of plants, the author seemed to be pining to show his own knowledge and expertise about the technicalities and thus how he was superior to stevie by pointing out a million things that were "wrong" with Secret Life of Plants. I always liked it and listened to it recently for the first time in over 20 years and loved it again, didn't worry about all the other stuff.

I have no use for music snobs (or any other type). I don't need someone to tell me what to like.

MickyDolenz said:

Harlepolis said:

I'd love to see the film in a remastered condition with director's commentary.

I don't see this happening, since the movie had limited release in theaters and is obscure. I'm not sure it has ever been officially released on video.

And this is where "The Criterion Collections" come in they're perfectly consistent when it comes to indie movies, movies with limited distribution or even shelved movies.

I could see it now. Packaged with:

-A book with 60+ full of essays and director's notes.

-Audio commentary by the director.

-Retrospective documentary.

-Vintage featurette/documentary on the making of the film.

-Vintage/New featurette on the process of the album recording(with an interview from Stevie of course).

-One of the vintage interviews of Stevie during the promotion of the album/film.

HELL, the album itself could use a proper remastering process too.

Stevie ain't really off the hook with this one either. He put the critics views on high regards, and thats exactly why he didn't make an adventurous album eversince.

He needs to be possessed by the spirit of Miles Davis while we have him here on earth

But hey, their shortsightedness is my gain. It takes a gutsy individual, esp someone in Stevie's caliber to do a project such as this one, and with a great deal of heart and dedication.

Harlepolis said:

MickyDolenz said:

I don't see this happening, since the movie had limited release in theaters and is obscure. I'm not sure it has ever been officially released on video.

And this is where "The Criterion Collections" come in they're perfectly consistent when it comes to indie movies, movies with limited distribution or even shelved movies.

I could see it now. Packaged with:

-A book with 60+ full of essays and director's notes.

-Audio commentary by the director.

-Retrospective documentary.

-Vintage featurette/documentary on the making of the film.

-Vintage/New featurette on the process of the album recording(with an interview from Stevie of course).

-One of the vintage interviews of Stevie during the promotion of the album/film.

HELL, the album itself could use a proper remastering process too.

I have the original record with the braille cover, so a remastered CD isn't necessary for me. The CD out now doesn't sound good though. I'm not sure, but I think there is a remastered CD version in Japan, if you want to pay a lot of money for an import. As far as the movie goes, there probably has to be a demand for it, and find out who owns the footage.

Harlepolis said:

Stevie ain't really off the hook with this one either. He put the critics views on high regards, and thats exactly why he didn't make an adventurous album eversince.

He needs to be possessed by the spirit of Miles Davis while we have him here on earth

But hey, their shortsightedness is my gain. It takes a gutsy individual, esp someone in Stevie's caliber to do a project such as this one, and with a great deal of heart and dedication.

no he isn't but your contention that he should have been thicker skinned and not caring about critics is just an unusual quality. Prince, as much of a maverick and as badass as he was in his prime whined to his old engineer in the 80's "you don't believe in me anymore" and talks enough about the critics to show that he feels the stings. And Prince is as much an experimenter as anyone. It just does not feel good to be criticized, but you should learn to deal with. Thing is, Stevie is a pretty likeable, good hearted guy, just hate to see him picked on. Pissed me off.

Harlepolis said:

Stevie ain't really off the hook with this one either. He put the critics views on high regards, and thats exactly why he didn't make an adventurous album eversince.

He couldn't have been that worried about them, because they generally don't dig the synth pop albums and adult contemporary songs he was releasing in the 1980's.

MickyDolenz said:

Harlepolis said:

Stevie ain't really off the hook with this one either. He put the critics views on high regards, and thats exactly why he didn't make an adventurous album eversince.

He couldn't have been that worried about them, because they generally don't dig the synth pop albums and adult contemporary songs he was releasing in the 1980's.

ya, they were pretty much done with him after Secret Life of Plants, he got decent reviews for Hotter Than July but most critics (and listeners) thought his prime was between 71 or so to the release of Talking Book. I haven't really listened to any of his albums since In Square Circle, I have to say, Secret Life of Plants was at least better than most of his albums. I liked it and I liked what he was attempting which was to break away from the standard pop fare of love songs and even away from his social commentary songs.

mozfonky said:

MickyDolenz said:

He couldn't have been that worried about them, because they generally don't dig the synth pop albums and adult contemporary songs he was releasing in the 1980's.

ya, they were pretty much done with him after Secret Life of Plants, he got decent reviews for Hotter Than July but most critics (and listeners) thought his prime was between 71 or so to the release of Talking Book. I haven't really listened to any of his albums since In Square Circle, I have to say, Secret Life of Plants was at least better than most of his albums. I liked it and I liked what he was attempting which was to break away from the standard pop fare of love songs and even away from his social commentary songs.

But Plants is for a film and would not have been made if the filmmakers hadn't of asked him to. Most people don't realize that it's a movie soundtrack and think it's just an album, so don't understand what its about and think it's weird. The film (which was only out for a couple of weeks in very few theaters) itself was unusual for a mainstream audience. The other soundtracks Stevie did were for more commercial movies like The Woman In Red and Jungle Fever and had regular songs.

MickyDolenz said:

mozfonky said:

ya, they were pretty much done with him after Secret Life of Plants, he got decent reviews for Hotter Than July but most critics (and listeners) thought his prime was between 71 or so to the release of Talking Book. I haven't really listened to any of his albums since In Square Circle, I have to say, Secret Life of Plants was at least better than most of his albums. I liked it and I liked what he was attempting which was to break away from the standard pop fare of love songs and even away from his social commentary songs.

But Plants is for a film and would not have been made if the filmmakers hadn't of asked him to. Most people don't realize that it's a movie soundtrack and think it's just an album, so don't understand what its about and think it's weird. The film (which was only out for a couple of weeks in very few theaters) itself was unusual for a mainstream audience. The other soundtracks Stevie did were for more commercial movies like The Woman In Red and Jungle Fever and had regular songs.

ya, he seemed pretty welcoming of the oppurtunity in interviews though. He put 3 years into it and went through a lot of trouble to promote it. His aim was pure, whatever people thought. There are always fans who won't like when the artist doesn't do what they did before, my ma thought Sgt. Pepper's and so on was "wierd" but loved their early music. Prince put Secret Life of Plants on during the Rolling Stone interview to prove the point with his Around The World In a day (an admittedly mediocre album by Prince standards), successful artists are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Stevie's never done anything to my knowledge even remotely that daring since.

mozfonky said:

MickyDolenz said:

But Plants is for a film and would not have been made if the filmmakers hadn't of asked him to. Most people don't realize that it's a movie soundtrack and think it's just an album, so don't understand what its about and think it's weird. The film (which was only out for a couple of weeks in very few theaters) itself was unusual for a mainstream audience. The other soundtracks Stevie did were for more commercial movies like The Woman In Red and Jungle Fever and had regular songs.

ya, he seemed pretty welcoming of the oppurtunity in interviews though. He put 3 years into it and went through a lot of trouble to promote it. His aim was pure, whatever people thought. There are always fans who won't like when the artist doesn't do what they did before, my ma thought Sgt. Pepper's and so on was "wierd" but loved their early music. Prince put Secret Life of Plants on during the Rolling Stone interview to prove the point with his Around The World In a day (an admittedly mediocre album by Prince standards), successful artists are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Stevie's never done anything to my knowledge even remotely that daring since.

From what I understand, Berry Gordy disliked like the album and didn't know what to do with it.

MickyDolenz said:

mozfonky said:

ya, he seemed pretty welcoming of the oppurtunity in interviews though. He put 3 years into it and went through a lot of trouble to promote it. His aim was pure, whatever people thought. There are always fans who won't like when the artist doesn't do what they did before, my ma thought Sgt. Pepper's and so on was "wierd" but loved their early music. Prince put Secret Life of Plants on during the Rolling Stone interview to prove the point with his Around The World In a day (an admittedly mediocre album by Prince standards), successful artists are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Stevie's never done anything to my knowledge even remotely that daring since.

From what I understand, Berry Gordy disliked like the album and didn't know what to do with it.

Barry was stuck in the 60's and very unsupportive over any risk, he hated the idea of Gaye's masterpiece what' going on.

I can't wait to watch this and hear the music, I actually haven't done either though I believe I will enjoy it. I love Stevie's 70's work, and Songs In The Key Of Life is brilliant

mozfonky said:

MickyDolenz said:

From what I understand, Berry Gordy disliked like the album and didn't know what to do with it.

Barry was stuck in the 60's and very unsupportive over any risk, he hated the idea of Gaye's masterpiece what' going on.

Yeah, Berry said it was the worst thing he ever heard and refused to release it. The only reason the What's Going On single came out was because it was released by Motown without Berry's knowledge. Berry didn't like I Heard It Through The Grapevine and didn't release it either. He was talked into releasing Gladys Knight & The Pips version (which he didn't want out either) after refusing the previously recorded versions by the Miracles & Marvin.

MickyDolenz said:

mozfonky said:

Barry was stuck in the 60's and very unsupportive over any risk, he hated the idea of Gaye's masterpiece what' going on.

Yeah, Berry said it was the worst thing he ever heard and refused to release it. The only reason the What's Going On single came out was because it was released by Motown without Berry's knowledge. Berry didn't like I Heard It Through The Grapevine and didn't release it either. He was talked into releasing Gladys Knight & The Pips version (which he didn't want out either) after refusing the previously recorded versions by the Miracles & Marvin.

just goes to show, nobody knows everything, Dave Marsh had I heard it through the grapevine number one all time single and had a great review of it. I've never really figured barry out, the guy who gave a wonderful tribute to MJ at his funeral and who always seemed so accessible, bright and kindly was a wolf when it came to money and power. My fave story was him slapping Marvin to get him onstage, marvin had stage fright, he also had a fistfight with Marvin. Marvin wasn't no choirboy either though, he was a nut.

mozfonky said:

MickyDolenz said:

Yeah, Berry said it was the worst thing he ever heard and refused to release it. The only reason the What's Going On single came out was because it was released by Motown without Berry's knowledge. Berry didn't like I Heard It Through The Grapevine and didn't release it either. He was talked into releasing Gladys Knight & The Pips version (which he didn't want out either) after refusing the previously recorded versions by the Miracles & Marvin.

just goes to show, nobody knows everything, Dave Marsh had I heard it through the grapevine number one all time single and had a great review of it. I've never really figured barry out, the guy who gave a wonderful tribute to MJ at his funeral and who always seemed so accessible, bright and kindly was a wolf when it came to money and power. My fave story was him slapping Marvin to get him onstage, marvin had stage fright, he also had a fistfight with Marvin. Marvin wasn't no choirboy either though, he was a nut.

Berry and Marvin used to always get into it.

barry's sister, Marv's wife, bullied him and smacked him around too, until he started working out, playing football and boxing. He actually wanted to try out for the Lions, he thought he could have been a pro boxer, marvin was delusional about everything except his singular brilliance as a musician. Smokey recently said, when asked who was the best singer on motown, he respectfully credited all the other great singers and then said Marvin. That's not an easy pick either, David Ruffin was a bad motherfucker too.

mozfonky said:

barry's sister, Marv's wife, bullied him and smacked him around too, until he started working out, playing football and boxing. He actually wanted to try out for the Lions, he thought he could have been a pro boxer, marvin was delusional about everything except his singular brilliance as a musician. Smokey recently said, when asked who was the best singer on motown, he respectfully credited all the other great singers and then said Marvin. That's not an easy pick either, David Ruffin was a bad motherfucker too.

So was Levi Stubbs. We can agree on one thing about Motown: their level of talent between men and women were equal. No other label since (save for Atlantic, Stax and Philadelphia International) had a roster that GIFTED!

But yeah Anna also used to boss him around.

Timmy84 said:

mozfonky said:

barry's sister, Marv's wife, bullied him and smacked him around too, until he started working out, playing football and boxing. He actually wanted to try out for the Lions, he thought he could have been a pro boxer, marvin was delusional about everything except his singular brilliance as a musician. Smokey recently said, when asked who was the best singer on motown, he respectfully credited all the other great singers and then said Marvin. That's not an easy pick either, David Ruffin was a bad motherfucker too.

So was Levi Stubbs. We can agree on one thing about Motown: their level of talent between men and women were equal. No other label since (save for Atlantic, Stax and Philadelphia International) had a roster that GIFTED!

But yeah Anna also used to boss him around.

Ruffin was so amazing to me, Marvin said he was a ruffin fan, and developed that growl because of it. I love singers who can credibly bring the church, where would sould music be without preacher's sons? Sam, Dave, marvin all preachers sons and all very conflicted souls which gave they gave to the music.