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Poster for All Things Must Pass

All Things Must Pass

The rise and fall of Tower Records

2015 · 1h 34m · NOT RATED Documentary
Directed by Colin Hanks

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Overview

Established in 1960, Tower Records was once a retail powerhouse with two hundred stores, in thirty countries, on five continents. From humble beginnings in a small-town drugstore, Tower Records eventually became the heart and soul of the music world, and a powerful force in the music industry. In 1999, Tower Records made $1 billion. In 2006, the company filed for bankruptcy. What went wrong? Everyone thinks they know what killed Tower Records: The Internet. But that's not the story. All Things Must Pass is a feature documentary film examining this iconic company's explosive trajectory, tragic demise, and legacy forged by its rebellious founder, Russ Solomon.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
97%
Tomatometer
Fresh

We learn of the party-hearty environment and family-like vibe of a world where it was cool to write off cocaine as a business expense. And we see the hubris and myopia that doomed the industry.

Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
Fresh

As Bruce Springsteen says in the film, "Everybody in a record store is a little bit of your friend for 20 minutes or so." And he's right - including all the ups and downs that friendship entails.

Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic
Rotten

It's loving and lovely, but goes too easy on the hubris and greed.

Matthew Lickona, San Diego Reader
Fresh

Colin Hanks makes his feature directing debut with this irresistible documentary about the evolution of the music business.

John Hartl, Seattle Times
Fresh

Lively and loving ...

Mark Feeney, Boston Globe

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