Bessie poster

Movie profile

Bessie

Survival began with a song

6.4/ 1020151h 47m

DramaMusicTV Movie

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

Directed by Dee Rees

Visual gallery

Behind the frames

3 stills

Bessie still 1

Bessie still 2

Bessie still 3

The cast

Faces behind the story

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah

Bessie Smith

Mo'Nique

Mo'Nique

Ma Rainey

Mike Epps

Mike Epps

Richard

Tika Sumpter

Tika Sumpter

Lucille

Michael Kenneth Williams

Michael Kenneth Williams

Jack Gee

Charles S. Dutton

Charles S. Dutton

William 'Pa' Rainey

Bryan Greenberg

Bryan Greenberg

John Hammond

Oliver Platt

Oliver Platt

Carl Van Vechten