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American Pop

Play trailer Poster for American Pop R 1981 1h 37m Musical Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
This animated trek across the musical landscape of the 20th century begins with young immigrant Zalmie arriving in New York City. He's addicted to show business, but an accident ruins his voice. He marries a stripper and their son, Benny, becomes a jazz pianist. Although Benny is killed in World War II, his son, Tony, goes on to great success as a songwriter during the '60s, as does Tony's son, Pete (also Thompson), in the '80s.
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American Pop

Critics Reviews

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Seth Troyer PopMatters Oct 3, 2023
The entire Bakshi filmography is a campaign against business as usual, a full-on assault on the medium... Go to Full Review Michael Talbot-Haynes Film Threat Jul 5, 2022
10/10
This is one of those flawless wonders where every single frame is perfect. Go to Full Review Peter Ackroyd The Spectator Mar 27, 2018
Although the plot, like the music itself, can be somewhat too strident, the animation is remarkably successful in delineating the sad geography of the human body and the massive backgrounds of American cities. Go to Full Review Jeremy Heilman MovieMartyr.com Jul 18, 2012
62/100
This is a film that grandly overreaches, attempting to condense a century's worth of triumph and tragedy into ninety minutes. To a surprising degree it succeeds. Go to Full Review Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed Sep 3, 2008
2.5/4
Has a wonderful soundtrack, but it fails to provide an actual story unless you look hard... Go to Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Oct 8, 2007
4/5
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Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Mar 26, 2026 The worldwide gross is $6,000,000.00. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Mar 1, 2026 I loved the animation, though it was a bit ugly. I wasn't really a fan of the story. That's just me though. I couldn't really connect because I wasn't alive in the time frames. It's a staple Bakshi film. See more Heatherjoy K @Hjk718 Sep 5, 2025 Saw this in the movie theater in New York with my parents when it came out. I was 9? Loved it. Watched a couple of times since then but need to rewatch. See more Wendell J @RT27949845 Apr 9, 2025 I have always loved this film. On e you get used to its unique animation stile, you can apreciate how glorious it is. A heart breaking examination of generational trauma in America, the music and stories explode with joy and wonder at every turn. And if it seems cliched at first, the accumulation of history becomes fascinating. See more Eddie C @RT96508007 Feb 14, 2025 Saw this movie when I was in college in the early 90's. Love the soundtrack. I think it's a bad ass film. That's my personal opinion. See more CodyZamboni Z @CodyZamboni Jan 1, 2025 An immigrant family is involved in the history of American music from Broadway, jazz, 1960s, and modern techo rock, Uneven, Unremakable animation from Bakshi. Lots of hammy exaggerated voice acting, Kinda boring, See more Read all reviews
American Pop

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Ralph Bakshi

Director

Ron Thompson

Tony

Mews Small

Frankie

Jerry Holland

Louie

Lisa Jane Persky

Bella

Jeffrey Lippa

Zalmie

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American Pop

American Pop (1981) American Pop (1981) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This animated trek across the musical landscape of the 20th century begins with young immigrant Zalmie arriving in New York City. He's addicted to show business, but an accident ruins his voice. He marries a stripper and their son, Benny, becomes a jazz pianist. Although Benny is killed in World War II, his son, Tony, goes on to great success as a songwriter during the '60s, as does Tony's son, Pete (also Thompson), in the '80s.
Director
Ralph Bakshi
Producer
Martin Ransohoff, Ralph Bakshi
Screenwriter
Ronni Kern
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia
Rating
R
Genre
Musical, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 13, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2012
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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