The Temptations

The Temptations

1998
The Temptations
The Temptations

The Temptations

8.4 | en | Drama

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

View More
AD

WATCH FREEFOR 30 DAYS

All Prime Video
Cancel anytime

Watch Now

Seasons & Episodes

1
EP2  Episode 2
Nov. 02,1998
Episode 2

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.

EP1  Episode 1
Nov. 01,1998
Episode 1

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.

SEE MORE
8.4 | en | Drama | More Info
Released: 1998-11-01 | Released Producted By: Hallmark Entertainment , De Passe 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 tv show is currently not available onine

Cast

Charles Malik Whitfield , D.B. Woodside , Leon

Director

Allan Arkush

Producted By

Hallmark Entertainment , De Passe Entertainment

AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

All Prime Video Movies and TV Shows. Cancel anytime.

Watch Now

Trailers

Reviews

njmollo The Temptations (1998)This is an very good "bio-pic" about The Temptations. All of the performances are excellent. The performance by Leon as David Ruffin is particularly engaging. While the character of Ruffin is sometimes ugly, the performance by Leon injects sympathy for the man while never being apologetic. Leon is an outstanding talent.The "bio-pic" formula sometimes plays loose with the real history and while The Temptations does have many omissions and distortions these are made possible because the writers really knew their subject.It can be said that this is a revisionist history according to Otis Williams and some scenes do venerate the man, such as his parting scenes with his Mother and Mama Rose. Yet the character of Otis as played by Charles Malik Whitfield is not that sympathetic. He cheats on his wife, fires band members and appears solely interested in the Temptations continued success even at the detriment of those around him.If one aspect of The Temptations is lacking it is with the groups relationship with their hugely talented producer Norman Whitfield. Whitfield only features in the story quite late in the day, when in fact he was a great part of their initial and continued success. A single scene tries to encapsulate, not too unsuccessfully, The Temptation's relationship with their all-important producer but Whitfield is portrayed as no more than a musical pimp, which is unfortunate because he really should be regarded as the George Martin and Phil Spector of R&B production. If there is one single genius attached to the legacy of The Temptations then it is most certainly Norman Whitfield. The director also allows the music to speak for itself and it permeates the whole movie, which is a really good thing. The performance by the actors of famous Temptation performances are very well done. The director also does a very good job at disguising the limited production budget.If you are a fan of Motown and The Temptations then this is an excellent celebration of their music and career. Highly recommended.
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.
mo_price I loved this movie, I have seen it 3 times. At the end when Smokey Robinson sings "goodbye my buddy, goodbye my friend"..........oh my gosh the tears just roll!!!! I would watch it again. To see these men work so hard to get where they got was so satisfying. ANd the characters looked so much like the real people. I just loved the whole thing....and you could just see the bond that they had. They loved each other, even through the bad times. When David Ruffin fell on hard times, they still loved him. Otis was only looking out for the group, you could see in his face he hated sending him away. SO to the Temptations, may you always be in our hearts..........
kayleehayscutelittlepupp I have seen this movie sooo many times. it is great,but I have two questions,if anyone can answer I will be sooo thankful.1st question: If you can remember that part in the middle where I believe the group was at Mama Rose's house celebrating and taking pictures and Paul Williams was making a toast.In a few scenes after he was arguing with his wife when he was drunk, he was singing lines from a song called "For Once In My Life" while Melvin a.k.a Blue was playing the piano. Does anybody know where i ca go get a version of that song where he was singing? I know its also on a Stevie Wonder album,but thats not the version I want. I want the version that Paul sung. 2nd question. Near the end when the great Smokey Robinson sang at Melvin's funeral,he sang a song called "Im Really Gonna Miss You" I have tried sooo very hard to find this song with no luck. Can somebody tell me where I can go to get a copy of the song? I will be so grateful!!!!!