Bessie poster

Bessie(2015)

1h 47mDrama, Music, TV MovieEnglish
6.4/10
129 user ratings

Survival began with a song

Overview

The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.

Director

Dee Rees

Studio

The Zanuck Company

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Cast

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah

as Bessie Smith

Mo'Nique

Mo'Nique

as Ma Rainey

Mike Epps

Mike Epps

as Richard

Tika Sumpter

Tika Sumpter

as Lucille

Michael Kenneth Williams

Michael Kenneth Williams

as Jack Gee

Charles S. Dutton

Charles S. Dutton

as William 'Pa' Rainey

Bryan Greenberg

Bryan Greenberg

as John Hammond

Oliver Platt

Oliver Platt

as Carl Van Vechten

Khandi Alexander

Khandi Alexander

as Viola

Tory Kittles

Tory Kittles

as Clarence

Kamryn Johnson

as Young Bessie

Rikki McKinney

as Chorus Guy

Where to Watch

Availability may vary by region. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Movie Facts

Release Year

2015

Runtime

1h 47m

Language

English

Rating

6.4 / 10

Production Companies

The Zanuck Company • Flavor Unit Entertainment • HBO Films

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch Bessie?

Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for Bessie (2015).

What is Bessie about?

The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.

Who directed Bessie?

Bessie was directed by Dee Rees and released in 2015. It is a drama, music, tv movie film.

How long is Bessie?

Bessie has a runtime of 1 hours and 47 minutes (107 minutes total).

Who stars in Bessie?

The cast of Bessie includes Queen Latifah as Bessie Smith, Mo'Nique as Ma Rainey, Mike Epps as Richard, Tika Sumpter as Lucille, Michael Kenneth Williams as Jack Gee and more.

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