Rejoice and Shout (2011): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2011, Rejoice and Shout is a documentary film directed by Don McGlynn, running about 115 minutes. “A documentary on Gospel music's 200-year history.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. REJOICE AND SHOUT traces the evolution of Gospel through its many musical styles – spirituals and early hymns, four-part harmony-based quartets, the integration of blues and swing into Gospel, the emergence of Soul, and the blending of Rap and Hip Hop elements. Gospel music also walked in step with the story of African-American culture – from slavery, hardscrabble rural existence and plantation work, the exodus to major cities, the Depression, World War II, to the civil rights movement and empowerment. REJOICE AND SHOUT connects the history of African-American culture with Gospel as it first impacted popular culture at large – and continues to do so. Years in the making, REJOICE AND SHOUT captures so much of what is special about this music and African-American Christianity – the sermonizing, the heartfelt testimonials, getting “slain in the spirit,” the hard hollerin’, and of course the inspiring music. Dare yourself not to be moved.

Who’s in it. Rejoice and Shout stars Smokey Robinson, Mavis Staples and Willa Ward.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, Rejoice and Shout has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Philo, Dox Amazon Channel and Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Rejoice and Shout page.

If you liked it. Fans of Rejoice and Shout tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.