The Blues, executive produced by legendary director Martin Scorsese, is a seven-film series of personal and impressionistic feature length films viewed through the lens of seven world-famous directors who share a passion for the music. In addition to Scorsese's film, Charles Burnett, Clint Eastwood, Mike Figgis, Marc Levin, Richard Pearce and Wim Wenders each capture the essence of blues music and delve into its global influence from its roots in Africa to its continued inspiration for today's top artists.

Episode 1 - Feel Like Going Home
Director Martin Scorsese(Raging Bull, Gangs of New York) winds his way from the banks of the Niger River in Mali to the cotton fields and juke joints of the Mississippi Delta to trace the origins of the blues with Willie King, Taj Mahal and Ali Farka Toure and rare archival footage (Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and others)

Episode 2 - Red, White & Blues
Director Mike Figgis (Stormy Monday, Leaving Las Vegas) A thoughtful and musically uplifting analysis of the influence of the blues on British musicians and the re-export of the music to America. With Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Lonnie Donegan, and Tom Jones.

Episode 3 - The Soul of a Man
Director Wim Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club; Paris,Texas ) explores the lives of his favorite blues artists - Skip James, Blind Willie Johnson, and J. B. Lenoir - in a film that is part history and part personal pilgrimage and covers of songs by contemporary musicians, including Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, Lou Reed, Eagle Eye Cherry, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Los Lobos, and others.

Episode 4 - Piano Blues
Director - and piano player - Clint Eastwood (Play Misty for Me, Unforgiven) explores his life-long passion for piano blues, using a treasure trove of rare historical footage in addition to interviews and performances by legends Ray Charles, Pinetop Perkins and Jay McShann, Dave Brubeck and Marcia Ball.

Episode 5 - The Road to Memphis
Director Richard Pearce And Robert Kenner (The Long Walk Home, Leap of Faith) Pearce's homage to Memphis features original performances by B.B. King, Bobby Rush, Rosco Gordon and Ike Turner, as well as historical footage of Howlin' Wolf and Rufus Thomas.

Episode 6 - Warming By The Devil's Fire
Director Charles Burnett (Killer of Sheep, My Brother's Wedding) presents a tale about a young boy's encounter with his family in Mississippi in the 1950s, and intergenerational tensions between the heavenly strains of gospel and the devilish moans of the blues. Including performances by Willie Dixon, Lightnin' Hopkins, Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington, Muddy Waters , Sonny Boy Williamson and others.

Episode 7 - Godfathers and Sons
Director Marc Levin (Slam, Brooklyn Babylon) travels to Chicago with hip-hop legend Chuck D (of Public Enemy) and Marshall Chess (son of Leonard Chess and heir to the Chess Records legacy) to explore the heyday of Chicago blues. Along with never-before-seen archival footage of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, are performances by Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Magic Slim, Ike Turner and Sam Lay.