Marley
A richly archival portrait of Bob Marley’s music, convictions, Jamaican roots, and lasting global influence.
Overview
Experience the rhythm of a legend's life and the music that changed the world.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- uplifting
- reflective
- rhythmic
- music discovery
- documentary night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the documentary as an absorbing and comprehensive portrait of Bob Marley, driven by music, archival material, and intimate testimony, while some observers found its treatment of Rastafari incomplete.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bob Marley’s story is assembled through archive footage alongside interviews with Rita Marley, Ziggy Marley, Bunny Wailer, and other contemporaries.
The film intertwines Marley’s life story with his reggae recordings and performance history rather than separating biography from music.
The subject’s influence is presented through Jamaican music, Rastafari identity, and his international cultural impact.
The film’s account depends on testimony from people close to Marley, while reception specifically noted that Bunny Wailer felt Rastafari was underplayed.
Films like Marley, and why
Searching for Sugar Man
music documentary with archival performance footage, a charismatic subject, and broad cultural legacy
The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years
biographical music documentary combining personal history, interviews, and enduring artistic influence
Miles Ahead
portrait of an iconic musician shaped by cultural identity, political context, and extensive archival material
Movie Details
- Director
- Kevin Macdonald
- Release Date
- 2012-04-20
- Runtime
- 144 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (288)
Cast
- Bob Marley
- Rita Marley
- Ziggy Marley
- Bunny Wailer
- Jimmy Cliff
- Cedella Marley
- Chris Blackwell
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Marley about?
- A richly archival portrait of Bob Marley’s music, convictions, Jamaican roots, and lasting global influence.
- What is Marley like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Marley as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Marley violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Marley.
- What did critics think of Marley?
- Critics broadly praised the documentary as an absorbing and comprehensive portrait of Bob Marley, driven by music, archival material, and intimate testimony, while some observers found its treatment of Rastafari incomplete.
- Which films are like Marley?
- Films with a similar feel include Searching for Sugar Man, The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years, and Miles Ahead.
- How long is Marley?
- Marley runs 144 minutes.
- Where can I watch Marley?
- In United States, Marley streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
