The Wrecking Crew (2015)
91%RT Audience Score: 84%
Awards & Nominations: NA
The Wrecking Crew may not achieve the greatness of the many classic songs its subjects helped bring to life, but it remains a heartfelt, overdue tribute to overshadowed brilliance.
The Wrecking Crew is a documentary that will make you appreciate the unsung heroes of the music industry. It’s like discovering the secret ingredient that makes your favorite dish so delicious. You may not have heard of them, but these session musicians were the backbone of some of the biggest hits of the 60s and 70s. The film is a love letter to their talent and hard work, and it’s impossible not to tap your foot along to the catchy tunes. So, grab some popcorn, turn up the volume, and get ready to rock out with The Wrecking Crew!
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for sensuality, violence and some language
Year of Release
2015
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Mono
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 42m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 13, 2015 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 16, 2015
Genre(s)
Documentary/Music
Keyword(s)
The Wrecking Crew, documentary, music, PG, Denny Tedesco, directed by Denny Tedesco, written by Denny Tedesco, Jon Leonoudakis, Suzie Tedesco, Claire Scanlon, Jon Leonudakis, Mitchell Linden, Damon Tedesco, Chris Hope, produced by Denny Tedesco, Jon Leonoudakis, Suzie Tedesco, Claire Scanlon, Jon Leonudakis, Mitchell Linden, Damon Tedesco, Chris Hope, starring Brian Wilson, Dick Clark, Cher, Herb Alpert, Glen Campbell, Tommy Tedesco, narrator, box office, gross USA, $800.5K, critic reviews, reviewed by Donald Clarke, Wendy Ide, Henry Barnes, Ian Freer, Tom Huddleston, Jon Bream, MPAA rating, thematic elements, smoking images, language, Magnolia Pictures
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Brian Wilson – Self
Dick Clark – Self
Cher – Self
Herb Alpert – Self
Glen Campbell – Self
Director(s)
Denny Tedesco
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Denny Tedesco, Jon Leonoudakis, Suzie Tedesco, Claire Scanlon, Jon Leonudakis, Mitchell Linden, Damon Tedesco, Chris Hope
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (74) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (70) | Rotten (4)
The documentary makes fascinating connections between the fledgling high-showbiz days of rock ‘n’ roll and the rise of more versatile singer-songwriters in the 1970s.
June 26, 2015 | Rating: 3/5
Donald Clarke
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
It’s a fascinating insight into how a classic song is crafted.
June 25, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Wendy Ide
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Tedesco nails the point: that the beauty of pop music lies not with the prancing pop starlets, but in the hands of the average-looking, insanely talented artists behind the scenes.
June 25, 2015 | Rating: 3/5
Henry Barnes
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
An entertaining and compelling story about music’s unsung heroes.
June 25, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Ian Freer
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
It all feels more like an ambitious home video than a ‘proper’ film.
June 22, 2015 | Rating: 3/5
Tom Huddleston
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
A must-see for liner-note readers.
April 16, 2015 | Rating: 3/4
Jon Bream
Minneapolis Star Tribune
TOP CRITIC
For the sheer joy of the music…
December 6, 2021
Loren King
Newport This Week (RI)
In this fascinating, eclectic look at this musical period, The Wrecking Crew brings out the essential solidarity and practicality of the group.
February 26, 2021
Joanne Laurier
World Socialist Web Site
A heartfelt and interesting peak into an unexplored part of our collective musical history and it has a good beat and you can dance to it.
February 2, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
What the director [Denny Tedesco] lacks in technical chops and narrative clarity, he more than makes up for in enthusiasm and heart, and that’s what make The Wrecking Crew an exceptional documentary.
January 9, 2020
Chris McCoy
Memphis Flyer
Requiem for a studio musician.
August 19, 2019
Michael J. Casey
Boulder Weekly
Tedesco doesn’t shy from the harsh realities of the session player’s life. However, this isn’t an angry or bitter film by any means. The goal, almost to a fault, is to celebrate these musicians and the songs they created.
July 19, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
Daniel Barnes
Dare Daniel…
Plot
The count has stolen enough gold to cause a financial crisis in the world markets so I.C.E. sends in ace spy Matt Helm to stop him. As Matt works alone, the British send in Freya to aid Matt, but it seems that Freya causes more problems than she solves.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The documentary features appearances from music legends such as Brian Wilson, Dick Clark, Cher, and Herb Alpert.
Denny-Tedesco.jpg
