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Leadbelly

Play trailer Poster for Leadbelly PG 1975 2h 6m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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A biography of Huddie Ledbetter (Roger E. Mosley), this drama follows the life of the highly influential African-American blues singer and guitarist, who was better known as "Leadbelly." The trouble-prone musician frequently ended up working on chain gangs, and, when not incarcerated, he sometimes traveled around with fellow renowned blues man Blind Lemon Jefferson (Art Evans). The film shows how Leadbelly dealt with the racism of his era and found some degree of peace in his music.

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Leadbelly

Critics Reviews

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Steve Warren The Barb (Atlanta) 05/09/2023
Leadbelly, at least, provides good entertainment, if it doesn't shed much light on the life of Huddie Ledbetter. Go to Full Review Peter Martin ScreenAnarchy 02/25/2021
4.5/5.0
More of a rip-roaring adventure than a staid biopic, director Gordon Parks infuses the life story of Huddie Ledbetter with raw energy and a mindful perspective. Go to Full Review Stephen Randall Los Angeles Free Press 10/31/2019
Part of the problem is Roger E. Mosley. As Leadbelly, he never goes too deeply into his character and uses the same facial expression to convey happiness or anger. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
Leadbelly

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Cast & Crew

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Gordon Parks

Director

Roger E. Mosley

Huddie Ledbetter

Paul Benjamin

Wes Ledbetter

Madge Sinclair

Miss Eula

Alan Manson

Prison Chief Guard

Albert P. Hall

Dicklicker
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Leadbelly

Leadbelly (1975) Leadbelly (1975) Leadbelly (1975) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A biography of Huddie Ledbetter (Roger E. Mosley), this drama follows the life of the highly influential African-American blues singer and guitarist, who was better known as "Leadbelly." The trouble-prone musician frequently ended up working on chain gangs, and, when not incarcerated, he sometimes traveled around with fellow renowned blues man Blind Lemon Jefferson (Art Evans). The film shows how Leadbelly dealt with the racism of his era and found some degree of peace in his music.
Director
Gordon Parks
Producer
Marc Merson
Screenwriter
Ernest Kinoy
Production Co
Brownstone Productions (I), Zeeuwse Maatschappij N.V., David Paradine Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 15, 2016
Runtime
2h 6m