The Winding Stream: The Carters, The Cashes & The Course Of Country Music
Directed by Beth Harrington
US, 2014, 91 min, in English
THE WINDING STREAM is a story about the family at the heart of American roots music. Starting with the Original Carter Family—A.P., Sara and Maybelle—the film traces the trio’s early musical success, the transformation of the act into The Carter Sisters, June Carter’s marriage to legend Johnny Cash, and the efforts of the present-day Carter family to keep the music alive.
"Impressively researched and deftly crafted...Genuinely uplifting."
Press
New York Times - NYT Critics' PickThoughtfully assembled...Exudes a quirky warmth.
The Hollywood ReporterPacks enough drama, music and history to fuel a miniseries...Thoroughly entertaining.
Boston GlobeA real crowd-pleaser...Superb historical footage and rare music clips.
Village Voice (Critics' Pick)Likely to thrill devotees as it hips new audiences...The film stands as a reminder of how much it can mean just to listen.
VarietyCogent and compelling as a pop-culture history lesson, and genuinely uplifting.
BillboardInformative and provocative.
Mother JonesA gift to anyone interested in our musical roots.
10 Best Music Documentaries of 2014 Nonfics.comA deeply satisfying traditional doc about deeply satisfying traditional music that balances reverence and dramatic edge.
East Bay ExpressFor anyone with even a passing interest in pop music, Harrington's richly textured doc is a treasure of folkloric Americana.
San Francisco ChronicleIlluminating history lesson...with clever animation and engaging interviews.
SF WeeklyBeth Harrington's lovely documentary...doubles as a history of the spread of folk music.
Berkeley Daily PlanetEqual parts musical entertainment and emotional human experience.
OregonianHonest and heartfelt as a country song.
City ArtsA handsome and nigh-faultless history of [an] iconic roots dynasty...that'll have country and roots music fans salivating.
Movie Magazine InternationalWill take you on a marvelous meandering journey through American musical history that you will never forget.
Vancouver ObserverA pure delight.
Film Journal InternationalA loving and comprehensive tribute to the timeless music of this musical dynasty.
Tallahassee DemocratA must-see for anyone interested in American roots and folk music. Includes some knockout musical performances...that are worth the price of admission alone.
Lincoln Journal StarFresh and revealing...the music is the final element that lifts The Winding Stream into the sublime
American Standard TimeRich with legends from the mountains of Virginia and beyond. A well made, informative, emotional documentary.
Now MagazineIt's the story of a family hanging together over nearly a century, and of a specific strain of popular music that runs through America like no other.
GoldmineHarrington reaffirms her status as one of our most worthy musical film directors.
The Utah ReviewThe history is surprising and fascinating. The film is rich in fresh detail and insights.
Helena Independent RecordBy the time we lift the needle off the 78 player and head for home, we're quite in love with Maybelle and the Carter clan.
Bold Life MagazineA must-see for roots music enthusiasts.
Texas Art & FilmAn apt and wonderful tribute to the Carter-Cash musicians, their devotion to family, and their contributions to American music.
What (Not) To DocAn affectionate and often compelling tribute that's accessible to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Santa Fe New MexicanBrings warmth and depth...that helps you appreciate the classic songs even more.
Riverfront TimesA documentary clearly forged from the love of its subject.
San Diego ReaderIf you think country & western amounts to little more than a guy or gal in a cowboy hat warbling about a truck, all it will take is a couple of minutes of the Carters' raw energy to set the record straight.
The HornFor lovers of country and roots music this is a film not to be missed.
Christianity TodayA real treat...skillfully interweaves archival photography and recordings with animation.
Post DefianceThe film's level of detail is uncommon and hearing it all in the voices of the original trio's surviving descendants, along with archival recordings of Maybelle and Sara, is thrilling.
Elmore MagazineAn incredible story that strikes at the heart of country music and its preservation.
Berkshire Fine ArtsCrafted like a great country song, full of love, heartbreak, triumph, loss and redemption.
Cleveland Movie BlogConcise and informative...Entertaining.
Louis ProyectSimply put, it is the greatest documentary about musicians I have ever seen.
Cleveland MagazineA loving, musical look at the path carved by the family, whose music influenced a young Johnny Cash.
Oregon LiveWonderful.
BerkeleysideA long-term labor of love, the film will be of interest to anyone with even a passing interest in country music.
She ShredsNot only a fascinating historical excavation of a family's enormous contribution to American music, The Winding Stream is also visually stunning.
Art FuseThe family's contribution to country, folk, and roots music is vast.
The Real Easy EdThis is a story for the ages.
Connect SavannahA fascinating look at one family's experience at the heart of what we now call country music.
Do SavannahThe first non-fiction feature to offer a definitive look into the history, legacy and ongoing worldwide influence of Virginia's famed Carter Family.