The Temptations

1998

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1

EP1 Episode 1 Nov 01, 1998

David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams and Otis Williams are five former street corner singers who managed to become Motown legends. With a sound that's doo-wop, pop and hip-hop, they are rhythm and blues royalty. The Temptations had 16 #1 singles on the Billboard charts and received three Grammy Awards. But the climb to the top was plagued by competing egos andamp; repeated drug and alcohol abuse. In 1958 Detroit, Michigan, 17-year-old singer Otis Williams partners with 16-year-old Melvin Franklin to form The Siberians. They quickly come to the attention of Johnnie Mae Matthews who becomes their manager, producer and promoter. Meanwhile, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams are burning up the stages of Detroit as The Primes, who are already signed to Motown by entrepreneur/producer Berry Gordy. After Johnnie Mae drops The Siberians, and after The Primes disband, Paul, Eddie, Otis and Melvin join to become The Temptations, eventually adding David Ruffin to the group. With their first hit "The Way You Do The Things You Do," The Temptations begin touring with the Motortown Revue, doing the standard "one-nighters" andamp; living in cheap hotels. Life on the road proves to be difficult for the young men, which leads Paul into alcohol dependency andamp; Otis to infidelity. The hit "My Girl" sends the group soaring to the top of the charts, but personal demons plague each of the members. Even after "Cloud Nine" wins The Temptations their first Grammy, their personal lives continue to disintegrate. Eventually, the group is inducted into the 'Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,' but the group overall pays a heavy price. David Ruffin dies of a cocaine overdose; Eddie Kendricks develops lung cancer and Melvin Franklin dies from overmedication. Today, Otis Williams continues to tour with a revised lineup of The Temptations, keeping alive the hot sounds and memories of Eddie, David, Paul and Melvin.

EP2 Episode 2 Nov 02, 1998

David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams and Otis Williams are five former street corner singers who managed to become Motown legends. With a sound that's doo-wop, pop and hip-hop, they are rhythm and blues royalty. The Temptations had 16 #1 singles on the Billboard charts and received three Grammy Awards. But the climb to the top was plagued by competing egos andamp; repeated drug and alcohol abuse. In 1958 Detroit, Michigan, 17-year-old singer Otis Williams partners with 16-year-old Melvin Franklin to form The Siberians. They quickly come to the attention of Johnnie Mae Matthews who becomes their manager, producer and promoter. Meanwhile, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams are burning up the stages of Detroit as The Primes, who are already signed to Motown by entrepreneur/producer Berry Gordy. After Johnnie Mae drops The Siberians, and after The Primes disband, Paul, Eddie, Otis and Melvin join to become The Temptations, eventually adding David Ruffin to the group. With their first hit "The Way You Do The Things You Do," The Temptations begin touring with the Motortown Revue, doing the standard "one-nighters" andamp; living in cheap hotels. Life on the road proves to be difficult for the young men, which leads Paul into alcohol dependency andamp; Otis to infidelity. The hit "My Girl" sends the group soaring to the top of the charts, but personal demons plague each of the members. Even after "Cloud Nine" wins The Temptations their first Grammy, their personal lives continue to disintegrate. Eventually, the group is inducted into the 'Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,' but the group overall pays a heavy price. David Ruffin dies of a cocaine overdose; Eddie Kendricks develops lung cancer and Melvin Franklin dies from overmedication. Today, Otis Williams continues to tour with a revised lineup of The Temptations, keeping alive the hot sounds and memories of Eddie, David, Paul and Melvin.
8.4| 0h30m| en| More Info
Released: 01 November 1998 Ended
Producted By: Hallmark Entertainment
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

Biography of the singers who formed the hit Motown musical act, The Temptations.

... View More
Stream Online

The movie is currently not available onine

Director

Producted By

Hallmark Entertainment

AD
AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

All Prime Video Movies and TV Shows. Cancel anytime. Watch Now

Trailers & Images

Reviews

iviewsnews Watched this New Years Eve with my husband, this music was "our era" and this movie was just soooooo good. Think I appreciate the Temps more so after watching this move. The actor who plays David Ruffin, was one sexy hoot ! Spellbinding...loved the Eddie Kendricks character/actor too, he was such a cutie ! Best thing for me was the earlier performances...the actor who plays Ruffin can move! Whoa. Great great movie!
winner55 The camera work has the usual claustrophobic box look of most television films. The editing is incredibly choppy, and the continuity is really awful sometimes. There are also clichés in abundance - David Ruffin getting tossed out of a car is pure detective-show melodrama, but doesn't really resolve the whole Ruffin problem in the film. And there's plenty of lag-time, especially in the second half.All that said, the story is surprisingly very strong, the characters fascinating, the performances energetic, and the music is very well presented. The sense of the historical change of context surrounding the characters is also accurate and convincing, although played quietly (actually works better that way).The first half especially is a treat. A strong effort to do the group, its music, and its history justice.
tmpttngyrl I love, love, love this movie. It's awesome and the actors who played the Temptations were incredible! I loved Christian Payton and Terron Brooks, and the others were great too. It's a sad movie, and also a funny one too. I know every single line of that movie, and every time I watch it, the part almost at the end when Paul kills himself makes me cry every freaking time. I just love that movie, it's my favorite. The director did a great job. I would definitely recommend this movie to everybody who loves The Temptations. I have two copies of this movie, so I have a backup if the other one gets scratched up. This movie is so good that i watch it almost every night and I still don't get bored by it, it's that good.
ripcurlsufr96 I have seen thousands and thousands of movies and own 400 DVD and this is my favorite its the best movie ever.It is simply amazing what these guys went through especially Otis its amazing. Some of the best writing I have seen in a long time and great directing. This movie was so powerful it could make the roughest toughest guy come down in tear such an amazing great movie that deserves 20 Emmy and 50 Oscars this never became to big but I'm trying to get this movie out its so great to come watch this movie and listen to some of the best music ever written the singing is great I don't know if they lip'sync or sung because each one was amazing. I recommend everyone to come and see this movie buy it or rent it.