The Search For Robert Johnson (1992): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1992, The Search For Robert Johnson is a music and documentary film directed by Chris Hunt, running about 72 minutes. “The Real Story Of The Greatest Blues Guitarist Who Ever Lived” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Robert Johnson was one of the most legendary and mysterious Delta Bluesmiths of all time. Little is known about his life, but his music has influenced many different artists, like Eric Clapton and Keith Richards. Now, John Hammond Jr., son of legendary record producer John H. Hammond, who also organized a concert for Robert Johnson right before he died, goes to the Deep South to learn more about this amazing man, trying to find information about Johnson's birth date, place and parents, his early musical development, performances and travels, romances, his mythic "pact with the devil," his untimely murder in his late twenties, the discovery of possible offspring, and the uncertainty over where Johnson is buried. Throughout, Johnson's music is both foreground and background, from recordings of Johnson and as performed on camera by Hammond, David Honeyboy Edwards, and Johnny Shines.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.1/10, The Search For Robert Johnson has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Search For Robert Johnson page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Search For Robert Johnson tend to enjoy Whiplash, Coco, Green Book and The Legend of 1900.