We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song

1985
8| 0h52m| en
Details

We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song is a documentary which examines how the song was written, how producer Quincy Jones and songwriters Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie persuaded some of the most popular performers in America to donate their services to the project, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the marathon recording session that produced the single.

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Reviews

WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.
Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible
InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.
Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de) This is "We Are the World", but not the music video only, but instead an Emmy-nominated documentary that is about the making of the song. of course, we see all the artists too and hear the song on several occasions. And in terms of how often we hear it, they also made absolutely sure we don't forget that there's a choice we're making. So yeah, Jane Fonda is the host here and it is a good cause so I can not say anything bad about this really, only that sometimes it takes itself a bit more seriously than it should. This one is over 30 years old already and some of the artists (including Michael Jackson of course) are dead by 2016, so it also brings out some memories and it is a nice way to find artists long gone with lots of talent for the younger generations. Overall, a catchy song and a good message. I recommend checking this one out, even if 25 instead of 35 minutes would have been enough too. Thumbs up.
krissykadoodle While reliving a pleasurable journey can be, ummm, emotional...We Are the World's energy and upbeat effort to create an autonomous entity to benefit another nation in crisis was a scratch on the surface. From Bangladesh several years before We Are...1985, Live Aid, and yes, even Hands Across America whose anniversary is quickly approaching, Farm Aid and other offshoots, from then to now...twenty some years later, almost an entire year since Live 8 and One, makes me wonder what happened to all the good intentions behind so many initial steps along the way.Including the faltering steps of my feet right in my own back yard. Across a street, a fence, across a nation, across the planet...maybe it's time we all took a walk.While "We Are The World" may be praise worthy for the accomplishments through multiple powers there are other works worth remembering from 1985 for their "artistic" agendas as well. Take a trip back to Foreignor's "I want to know what love is" floats in circles around me...must it take disasters and droughts to bring this world together.
sonyachitti Even 20 years after its release, We are the World continues to make my hair rise! The passion, dedication, harmony and sheer beauty of the song makes it a complete anthem and it should go down in history and a world anthem altogether. Congratulations Quincy Jones and every other artist who performed the track. I wait for another. I hadn't watched the video in a while, but I saw it strangely on MTV today and I decided to go back to my old music videos and watch this one. It was incredible, I listened to it repeatedly and was awestruck each time. The spirit of togetherness and harmony amongst the artists makes the experience worth it, every single time. Keep up the good work USA for Africa!
kschneid Nice documentary of the making of this most famous song/video. The highlight for me had to be the Stevie Wonder/Bruce Springsteen duet in the middle of the song. The songs essence and passion is evident during this section of the performance. I do wish Cyndi Lauper and other pop singers didn't have such a large role in this performance, but it's good overall.