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The Temptations vs. The Jackson Story vs. 5 Heartbeats.

posted 15 years ago by blaque108
16 replies | jump to latest

Ok I seen all 3 of these movies, well mostly two I vaguely remember watching 5 hearbeats. I have to rent that movie. Anyways, which music group had it worse and went through alot and which one had the best story line on how they became famous.

I will say this even thought I'm 27 now and don't remember much about the 50's, 60's era it was cool to see how things became about for the groups and it took the guys to get to the point where they are now. If I had to pick I would say The Temptations looked like they went through alot of hell. Of all the old groups I've heard about this is one weird one were I heard they couldn't decide on a name, members kept dropping out the group left and right, it took them awhile to get a good number 1 hit, they kept having fight with each other, and their members kept dying left and right.

[–] euronymous781 15 years ago

Ehh, I honestly thought The Jackson Story was pretty bad. Just really long winded, took too long to unfold (Micheal wasn't even born until like an hour and a half into the 6 hour movie..) and it was pretty sappy at times (Micheal crying to his mom about how he thinks he's ugly? Ugh, kind of made me a little nauseous..) and just overly dramatic all around. As if we were supposed to shed a tear at Jermaine leaving the group because he didn't want to upset his father-in-law...

I actually haven't seen The Five Heartbeats, but if I had to choose between the two I have seen I'd definitely give The Temptations my pick. The Temptations had a pretty bumpy road about 90% of the time, it seemed. The worst we saw in The Jackson Story was that they just had to leave Motown and change record labels when they couldn't afford to add extra rooms to their California mansion. Yeah The Jacksons had a more rough start, but it was pretty smooth sailing for them after they went on Motown.

[–] blaque108 15 years ago

Thanks for your reply and I can agree that it did take that movie awhile to get started. I was like when are they going to show Michael or The Jackson 5, they really let you in on how things got started from how Joe and Katherine met and where they worked. I also can agree that the Jacksons do seem like they had more success and albums then The Temptations.

[–] Kelea7 15 years ago

Well Temptations and the Jacksons were supposed to be basically true accounts. And while The Five Heartbeats was somewhat based on the Dells it's more fictionalized than the others, or is supposed to be. But just taking into account what happened in the movies I would say Temptations, Heart Beats, then Jacksons.

I know you didn't ask this but my favorite out of the 3 is The Five Heartbeats followed by the Jacksons, and The Temptations. I mean in its entirety, I'm not familiar with the full version of the Temps movie. I've seen it once all the way through but when Eddie sniffed coke with David I was like what? B/c it seemed to be out of nowhere and never mentioned again. And other things. I like the tighter version, but I do think the Temp movie is better movie than The Jacksons.

I actually don't mind the slow pace in The Jacksons. I like seeing different time periods if the subject is interesting. I do wish they had done more when they were kids though or another aspect when they were older.

Jus cuz I have one, two, maybe two drinks sometime, what I'ma AL-ka-holic now?

[–] White_Chantel 15 years ago

The Five Heartbeats
The Temptations
The Jacksons

On a sidenote, The Five Heartbeats, although fictional, are based on both the Dells & The Temptations. Their character of Eddie King Jr. from the Five Heartbeats was based on David Ruffin.

[–] gljbradley 15 years ago

The Temptations
The Five Heartbeats
The Jacksons

[–] nikkilynn1982 14 years ago

I would say: 1. The Temptations, 2. The Jacksons, 3. The Five Heartbeats. Of course, I'm biased because I think "The Temptations" is the best movie biography film EVER.

[–] Gunhaver 14 years ago

Five Heartbeats, Jacksons then The Temptations. Honestly, after reading the Temptations book, I really don't care for the movie too much, anymore. Too Hollywood.

1991 was a good year....

[–] LadyLovie 14 years ago

I'll have to say the temps too.

---
I like your show,I admire your style, but your pays so cheap, I won't be back for a while.

[–] missgrandberry 14 years ago

First, let me start by saying that I absolutely love The Five Heartbeats, even though it's fictionalized. However, I did used to think it was based on a real group. I've only watched The Temptations like one time, so I can't really remember everything about it. Until Michael died, I hadn't really seen The Jacksons movie in its entirety.

I do believe that The Temptations had a hard time throughout their whole career with all the drugs and member changes and deaths of all the original members.

Regardless, The Five Heartbeats is and will always be my favorite movie. It was my deceased father's favorite too so it will always have a special place in my heart.

[–] jefgg 10 years ago

The Temptations had more heartache than any music group I can think of. If someone wrote a script like that about a fictional group no one would believe it. Since 1995 Otis Williams has been the only surviving member of the Classic 5.

[–] jefgg 10 years ago

Has anyone seen the movie "Jersey Boys"?

[–] MarkAntney 10 years ago

Depends on the day of the week (and regardless of day, The Jacksons is 3rd) but today it's The 5 Heartbeats.

Though if they'd made the Temps into a two week long saga and devlved more into them as individuals (loves, demons),...I think it would be first easy.

The Jackson's was too Vanilla and it didn't play enough (if any really) of their great music, from their bubblegum hits, after they left Motown, to MJs great solo careers, or even Jermaine's.

Can you imagine if they'd showed/Played: Who's Lovin You, Shake Your Body Down to the Ground, This Place, Rock With You, Lady in My Life, Daddy's Home, Dancin Machine, Don't Take It Personal,...

[–] tiffanykk2002 9 years ago

They are all great! The Jacksons was the best produced. I don't get bored because I love the story. It is written acted and put together very well.

The Temptations is great also. But the inconsistencies are glaring and the story is basically all Otis' perspective and it shows.

For the Five Heartbeats (a mostly fictional story) to be included in the same respect as the others is a testament to how good the movie is.

Hopefully the New Edition Story will be added to this list as well!

[–] ibl5000 8 years ago

The New Edition Story is all that and then some......might be the best out of the lot....and the story is not over rumors of a part 2 from 2005 to current are underway.....

PEACE (People Educating And Creating Equality)

[–] AmyJolamb 9 years ago

I'm watching The Temptations now for the first time. But I've seen The Jacksons movie a number of times. I think they had it the hardest. They missed out on a childhood. Even though they loved with they did they lost a lot. I don't think I'd say their dad was abusive but he was over the top at times. I've heard some of Michael's brothers say if their dad didn't push them or punish them that they wouldn't have made it.