Shake! Otis at Monterey (1987): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1987, Shake! Otis at Monterey is a music and documentary film directed by D. A. Pennebaker, running about 19 minutes.

What it’s about. Renowned documentary filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker captures Otis Redding in his ascendancy, singing at the historic Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967. Comedian Tom Smothers introduces Redding to a crowd that is leaving -- until Redding grabs them with his charged rendition of "Shake." Redding's performance also includes "Respect" (which he wrote), "I've Been Loving You Too Long," "Satisfaction," and "Try a Little Tenderness." Tragically, Redding died in a plane crash six months later. An innovative filmmaker who started in the 1950s making experimental films, Pennebaker garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature in 1993 for The War Room, his behind-the-scenes look at Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign. His other subjects have included Norman Mailer, Bob Dylan, and David Bowie.

Who’s in it. Shake! Otis at Monterey stars Otis Redding as Self, Steve Cropper as Himself - Booker T. & the MG's, Donald 'Duck' Dunn as Himself - Booker T. & the MG's and Al Jackson Jr. as Himself - Booker T. & the MG's (archive footage), among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.9/10, Shake! Otis at Monterey has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel and HBO Max. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Shake! Otis at Monterey page.

If you liked it. Fans of Shake! Otis at Monterey tend to enjoy Whiplash, Coco, Green Book and The Legend of 1900.