Overview
A vibrant tale of sisterhood and soul music set against a backdrop of social change.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- uplifting
- witty
- warm
- feel good movie night
- music film night
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as an enjoyable, heartfelt Australian musical with strong performances and infectious energy, despite occasional formulaic writing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Aboriginal sisters perform soul music for American troops while navigating racism, colonial history, and social upheaval.
The story unfolds amid Indigenous voting rights, street protest, revolution, assassination, drugs, and the Vietnam War.
The sisters' lively performances and family bonds coexist with separation, racism, and the dangers of wartime Vietnam.
Cynthia, Gail, Julie, and Kay must sustain their musical partnership while personal tensions and family history challenge them.
Films like The Sapphires, and why
Dreamgirls
1960s girl-group musical drama balancing performance energy, ambition, and racial inequality
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
uplifting music-centered true-story drama about marginalized performers finding public voices
Pride
warm, comedic ensemble film about music, friendship, and cultural identity amid social change
Movie Details
- Director
- Wayne Blair
- Release Date
- 2012-08-08
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (228)
Cast
- Chris O'Dowd
- Deborah Mailman
- Jessica Mauboy
- Shari Sebbens
- Miranda Tapsell
- Tory Kittles
- Don Battee
- Eka Darville
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- 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 The Sapphires about?
- Four Aboriginal sisters find solidarity, fame, and a powerful voice by taking their soul act from rural Australia to wartime Vietnam.
- What is The Sapphires like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Sapphires as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Sapphires violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Sapphires as mild.
- What did critics think of The Sapphires?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as an enjoyable, heartfelt Australian musical with strong performances and infectious energy, despite occasional formulaic writing.
- Which films are like The Sapphires?
- Films with a similar feel include Dreamgirls, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, and Pride.
- How long is The Sapphires?
- The Sapphires runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Sapphires?
- In United States, The Sapphires streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
