Billy Preston: That's the Way God Planned It

2026 1h 45m EN

🤯

10.0

MASTERPIECE

★10.0TMDB · 1

DocumentaryMusic

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

With his signature gospel sound on the Hammond B3, Billy Preston doublehandedly elevated the greatest artists of his time – from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones, from Aretha Franklin to Eric Clapton, from Ray Charles to Barbra Streisand to Sly and the Family Stone. In our film, we explore Billy's career and influence on generations of musicians, as he scored several number one hits of his own and became one of the most sought-after musicians in the world. He did all of this as a soul divided -- by his deep roots in the church, in constant conflict with his identity as a gay Black man, searching for a family of his own that would accept him for who he was.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Billy Preston
Self
Ringo Starr
Self
Olivia Harrison
Self
Eric Clapton
Self
Gloria Jones
Self
Suzanne de Passe
Self
Merry Clayton
Self
Billy Porter
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Paris Barclay
Writers: Paris Barclay, Cheo Hodari Coker
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 6

ERA

Did you know

Released this year — you're seeing it while it's still in the cultural conversation.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Paris Barclay, shot by Carmen Delaney. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Scott D. Hanson shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 6

CAST

Did you know

Billy Preston and Ringo Starr and Olivia Harrison carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 6

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt15845614 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 6

WILD

Did you know

Only 1 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Paris Barclay directs. Carmen Delaney behind the camera. Scott D. Hanson cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released this year — you're seeing it while it's still in the cultural conversation.
2Directed by Paris Barclay, shot by Carmen Delaney. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Editor Scott D. Hanson shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
4Billy Preston and Ringo Starr and Olivia Harrison carry the top of the cast.
5IMDB entry: tt15845614 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
6Only 1 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.