Scratch (2001)

93% of critics liked it
(46 reviews)
91% of users liked it
(4,585 ratings)

While rappers may be the most visible musical exponents of hip-hop culture, it's the DJs (or "turntablists," as some prefer to be called) who generate the funky beats and cut-and-paste musical structures that have made hip-hop the dominant musical phenomena of the past 20 years. Scratch is a… More While rappers may be the most visible musical exponents of hip-hop culture, it's the DJs (or "turntablists," as some prefer to be called) who generate the funky beats and cut-and-paste musical structures that have made hip-hop the dominant musical phenomena of the past 20 years. Scratch is a documentary that examines the role of the DJ in hip-hop music, from the pioneering work of old school hip-hop artists like Afrika Bambaata and Jazzy Jay to contemporary masters like noted trip-hop musician DJ Shadow and award-winning turntablist group Invisibl Skratch Piklz. The film also explores how DJs turned the turntable into a musical instrument, the increasingly elaborate techniques involved in "scratching" (manipulating vinyl discs, turntables, and tone arms to produce different sonic effects), and how different turntablists dig up the rare and elusive LPs from which they draw the samples that they craft into new songs. Scratch was directed by Doug Pray, who previously examined a different musical phenomenon -- the Seattle rock scene that spawned the grunge explosion -- in his film Hype!. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Doug Pray
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Documentary

In Theaters: Jan 19, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Sep 17, 2002
Studio: Palm Pictures

Critic Reviews

Ray Conlogue, Globe and Mail
Engaging documentary.
Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune
Pray's subjects can wander off into arcane Dennis Miller-esque rants, but he manages to hit the high points and most of the major personalities.
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News
It's all stitched together with energy, intelligence and verve, enhanced by a surplus of vintage archive footage.
Dan DeLuca, Philadelphia Inquirer
Illuminating if overly talky documentary.
Curt Fields, Washington Post
Should appeal to more than just hardcore hip-hop fans.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
An engrossing and infectiously enthusiastic documentary.
Chris Gore, Film Threat
See Scratch for the history, see Scratch for the music, see Scratch for a lesson in scratching, but, most of all, see it for the passion.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Scratch is a great documentary about the birth of a new musical instrument -- the turntable
Cynthia Fuchs, Nitrate Online
Even as it pays earnest homage to turntablists and beat jugglers, old schoolers and current innovators, Scratch is great fun, full of the kind of energy it's documenting.
Gil Jawetz, DVDTalk.com
This is such an exemplary instance of a filmmaker taking the message to the people that anyone with any interest in hip-hop or DJing at all should seek it out immediately.
Laura Bushell, BBC
Pray has really done his subject justice.