Reviews (3)

Great Movie
Can't find this movie anywhere.Why? It's one of my favorite of all time recollections of a bunch of no nonsense frat brothers. I never joined the Angels but rode with Frenchy in the early 1960's in San Francisco. I must admit there parties are unforgetable, like this movie. There's always a bad egg in any bunch, but one thing you can count on is they take care of their own with-in. They have changed with the time but this movie doesn't hide a thing. If it ever comes available, buy it.

Hells Angels Forever
Great Entertainment,Its obviously the version that the Government wants to be seen,If you know anything about the Red&White(then you know that much)Its very fitting for a collection though.You wont be dissapointed.

SUPPORT YER RED & WHITE
THIS IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIES, I WILL ADMIT THAT IT DOESNT REALLY GIVE ANY REAL INSIGHT TO THE HELLS ANGELS MOTORCYLCLE CLUB, BUT FOR SHEER ENTERTAINMENT IT IS A KNOCKOUT. THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT PERSONAL SCENES WITH INDIVIDUAL HELLS ANGELS, MOST OF THE SONNY SHOTS ARE IN JAIL THOUGH OR COURT, IT IS OBVIOUSLY VERY ONE-SIDED, BEING MADE BY THE CLUB THEMSELVES, BUT STILL A GREAT MOVIE FOR ANYONE CURIOUS ABOUTT SUCH THINGS ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

To cite Gimme Shelter as the greatest rock documentary ever filmed is to damn it with faint praise. This 1970 release benefits from a horrifying serendipity in the timing of the shoot, which brought filmmakers Albert and David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin aboard as the Rolling Stones' tumultuous 1969 American tour neared its end. By following the band to the Altamont Speedway near San Francisco for a fatally mismanaged free concert, the Maysles and Zwerin wound up shooting what's been accurately dubbed rock's equivalent to the Zapruder film. The cameras caught the ominous undercurrents of violence palpable even before the first chords were strummed, and were still rolling when a concertgoer was stabbed to death by the Hell's Angels that served as the festival's pool cue-wielding security force.

By the time Gimme Shelter reached theater screens, Altamont was a fixed symbol for the death of the 1960s' spirit of optimism. The Maysles and Zwerin used that knowledge to shape their film: their chronicle begins in the editing room as they cut footage of the Stones' Madison Square Garden performance of "Jumpin' Jack Flash," and from there moves toward Altamont with a kind of dreadful grace. The songs become prophecies and laments for broken faith ("Wild Horses"), misplaced devotion ("Love in Vain"), and social collapse ("Street Fighting Man" and, of course, "Sympathy for the Devil"). Along the way, we glimpse the folly of the machinations behind the festival, the insularity of life on the concert trail, and the superstars' own shell-shocked loss of innocence.

Gimme Shelter looks into an abyss, partly self-created, from which the Rolling Stones would retreat--but unlike its subject, the filmmakers don't blink. --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Reviews (86)

Brilliant companion piece (and antidote) to "Woodstock" doc
I don't have much new to add here, but I will say this documentary is a very important historical document of its time and scene. I would suggest watching the "Woodstock" documentary first. After that makes you feel high, lovable, and loved, put this one in; it will bring you back down to earth. "Gimme Shelter" left me thinking that the hippie bliss realization of Woodstock was confined to just that one single weekend. Although the music and performances at Woodstock were some of the absolute best ever captured on film, the hippie ideals that filled that festival were nothing but ideals. And what we saw in Altamont, however, left me thinking that the disaster of Woodstock '99 didn't seem so bad compared to Altamont '69.

"Gimme Shelter" is not at all a concert film, which is okay because that's not even its purpose. The Stones sounded pretty bad live throughout the film. They were experimenting with drugs and new equipment (not a good combination). I wouldn't have minded, however, if the filmmakers had included more footage of a knockout Tina Turner. And couldn't they have put the camera on Gram Parsons (with The Flying Burrito Brothers) for at least a few seconds!!. Little did they know how valuable that footage would have been! But those are just questions, not quibbles.

So as a concert film don't expect much. But as a document of the end of an era (and its ideals), I can't imagine a better one. This is a must-see documentary. Easily one of the best ever.

Angels Not to Blame/The Truth is Shown !!
Everyone shold not be on the Angels ass. They did what they were hired to do - protect the stage from idiots " who shoudn't have been there, zapped out on the drugs some of them could not handle".There were a few great musical moments at Woodstock, but it was the "peace and love crowd" and the promoters were just money hungry freaks.

The Rolling Stones have always had a dark side, and just because a few hippie types couldn't handle the scene, it has gone down as the "end of the Sixties". Well, my dear friends, the sixties were a time of change, but the rot had set in way before Altamont. I know, as I was there. Where are all the "share the world, wealth, and love" folks now? Sitting in places they protested, greedy and nothing like they were in the Sixties, towing the line like their parents and others they wanted to overthrow then. Greed, greed, greed. That's where the "peace and love" generation is now, not caring about their "bros and sisters". Power to the people my ass.

a strong film with many bonus features
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

Gimme Shelter is regarded by many as the most important rock film of all time. It follows the Rolling Stones on their infamous 1969 US tour. It covers the Madison Square Garden concert and the near-disastrous Altamont Speedway concert, along with actuality footage of the band in meetings with their lawyer, Melvin Belli (also known for defending Jack Ruby and for a guest appearance in a Star Trek episode) It remains one of the most popular rock films ever made and is as thought-provoking today as it was 35 years ago. An actual now-famous homicide was caught on tape and is featured in this film (as well as nudity), making it inappropriate for children.

The Criterion DVD includes many special features also.

There is a theatrical trailer and a re-release trailer for the film as well as the films, "Salesmen" and "Grey Gardens" also directed by the Maysles brothers.

There is film restoration deomonstration, several deleted scenes and outtakes, audio commentary by the directors and collaborator, Stanley Goldstein. There are also 80 minutes of excerpts from the 4 hour call-in radio show done after the Altamont concert and a photo gallery of the Altamont concert.

As an added bonus the accompanying booklet is many times larger than normal (this one is 44 pages) and contains several essays by many different people.

This DVD is a MUST for Rolling Stones fans as well as Criterion Collection DVD fans alike.

Superb look at The Rolling Stones' ill-fated 1969 tour
Gimmie Shelter is The Rolling Stones' documentary on the band's ill-fated 1969 North American tour in support of the album Let it Bleed. We see the band performing at Madison Square Garden playing songs like Jumping Jack Flash and Love in Vain among others, which was also released on the classic 1970 live album Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out. We also get to see the band record Brown Sugar and Wild Horses from their 1971 album Sticky Fingers at the legendary Muscle Shoals Studios in Alabama. However, the most famous bit from this classic movie was the ill-fated performance in Altamont in December of 1969 which was toted as a West Coast Woodstock but turned out to be anything but when a fan was killed by The Hell's Angels and rioting by the crowd caused the band to stop performing a few times. Musically, this film has great versions of Sympathy For the Devil, Under My Thumb, Jumping Jack Flash, Love in Vain and many other great Stones classics. I first saw this movie when I was 9 in 1985 and enjoy this film seeing as my mom is a huge Stones fan. Highly recommended!

the late 1960s, without the rosy spectacles
Despite the bad sound and grainy film quality, this is a riveting, brutal documentary that focuses on the 1969 free concert at Altamont Speedway that was envisioned by the Rolling Stones as a fun time for everyone to "get it on", and ended with chaos and someone being killed, which is shown in the film. With the Hell's Angels in charge of security, and a vast crowd in a senseless and often aggressive drug induced stupor, watching this evolve is like looking into the abyss of the damned. The mid and late '60s were not the flower-power love generation years some remember through rose-tinted lenses, they were very often violent and hateful, as anyone who saw the rabble "express themselves" at the 1968 Democratic Convention can attest. There are people who blame the outcome of this concert on the Hell's Angels, but this film proves that they were only a part of the problem.

There is also much pretension: Guys in suits trying to be hip and cool, and Melvin Belli, the celebrity attorney of his day, making sure he gets his 15 minutes of camera time. The Rolling Stones (at this point Mick Taylor had replaced Brian Jones, who had died in July of that year) seem to be out of place in dealing with their fame, and trying to "act the part", as well as being in a fog of substance abuse. Mick Jagger is the one that appears to be the most "in control", and he tries his best to bring calm and order to the concert crowd, to no avail.
There are short sequences of other groups, like the Jefferson Airplane, and musically, perhaps the best part in the entire film is Tina Turner, as she sings "I've Been Loving You Too Long" all the while using the microphone as a substitute love interest.
Total running time is 91 minutes.

All or in part, the songs performed by the Stones are:
"Honky Tonk Man"
"Brown Sugar"
"Gimme Shelter"
"Jumpin' Jack Flash"
"Love in Vain"
"Satisfaction"
"Street Fighting Man"
"Sympathy for the Devil"
"Under My Thumb"
"Wild Horses"
"You Gotta Move" ... Read more

Reviews (86)

Brilliant companion piece (and antidote) to "Woodstock" doc
I don't have much new to add here, but I will say this documentary is a very important historical document of its time and scene. I would suggest watching the "Woodstock" documentary first. After that makes you feel high, lovable, and loved, put this one in; it will bring you back down to earth. "Gimme Shelter" left me thinking that the hippie bliss realization of Woodstock was confined to just that one single weekend. Although the music and performances at Woodstock were some of the absolute best ever captured on film, the hippie ideals that filled that festival were nothing but ideals. And what we saw in Altamont, however, left me thinking that the disaster of Woodstock '99 didn't seem so bad compared to Altamont '69.

"Gimme Shelter" is not at all a concert film, which is okay because that's not even its purpose. The Stones sounded pretty bad live throughout the film. They were experimenting with drugs and new equipment (not a good combination). I wouldn't have minded, however, if the filmmakers had included more footage of a knockout Tina Turner. And couldn't they have put the camera on Gram Parsons (with The Flying Burrito Brothers) for at least a few seconds!!. Little did they know how valuable that footage would have been! But those are just questions, not quibbles.

So as a concert film don't expect much. But as a document of the end of an era (and its ideals), I can't imagine a better one. This is a must-see documentary. Easily one of the best ever.

Angels Not to Blame/The Truth is Shown !!
Everyone shold not be on the Angels ass. They did what they were hired to do - protect the stage from idiots " who shoudn't have been there, zapped out on the drugs some of them could not handle".There were a few great musical moments at Woodstock, but it was the "peace and love crowd" and the promoters were just money hungry freaks.

The Rolling Stones have always had a dark side, and just because a few hippie types couldn't handle the scene, it has gone down as the "end of the Sixties". Well, my dear friends, the sixties were a time of change, but the rot had set in way before Altamont. I know, as I was there. Where are all the "share the world, wealth, and love" folks now? Sitting in places they protested, greedy and nothing like they were in the Sixties, towing the line like their parents and others they wanted to overthrow then. Greed, greed, greed. That's where the "peace and love" generation is now, not caring about their "bros and sisters". Power to the people my ass.

a strong film with many bonus features
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

Gimme Shelter is regarded by many as the most important rock film of all time. It follows the Rolling Stones on their infamous 1969 US tour. It covers the Madison Square Garden concert and the near-disastrous Altamont Speedway concert, along with actuality footage of the band in meetings with their lawyer, Melvin Belli (also known for defending Jack Ruby and for a guest appearance in a Star Trek episode) It remains one of the most popular rock films ever made and is as thought-provoking today as it was 35 years ago. An actual now-famous homicide was caught on tape and is featured in this film (as well as nudity), making it inappropriate for children.

The Criterion DVD includes many special features also.

There is a theatrical trailer and a re-release trailer for the film as well as the films, "Salesmen" and "Grey Gardens" also directed by the Maysles brothers.

There is film restoration deomonstration, several deleted scenes and outtakes, audio commentary by the directors and collaborator, Stanley Goldstein. There are also 80 minutes of excerpts from the 4 hour call-in radio show done after the Altamont concert and a photo gallery of the Altamont concert.

As an added bonus the accompanying booklet is many times larger than normal (this one is 44 pages) and contains several essays by many different people.

This DVD is a MUST for Rolling Stones fans as well as Criterion Collection DVD fans alike.

Superb look at The Rolling Stones' ill-fated 1969 tour
Gimmie Shelter is The Rolling Stones' documentary on the band's ill-fated 1969 North American tour in support of the album Let it Bleed. We see the band performing at Madison Square Garden playing songs like Jumping Jack Flash and Love in Vain among others, which was also released on the classic 1970 live album Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out. We also get to see the band record Brown Sugar and Wild Horses from their 1971 album Sticky Fingers at the legendary Muscle Shoals Studios in Alabama. However, the most famous bit from this classic movie was the ill-fated performance in Altamont in December of 1969 which was toted as a West Coast Woodstock but turned out to be anything but when a fan was killed by The Hell's Angels and rioting by the crowd caused the band to stop performing a few times. Musically, this film has great versions of Sympathy For the Devil, Under My Thumb, Jumping Jack Flash, Love in Vain and many other great Stones classics. I first saw this movie when I was 9 in 1985 and enjoy this film seeing as my mom is a huge Stones fan. Highly recommended!

the late 1960s, without the rosy spectacles
Despite the bad sound and grainy film quality, this is a riveting, brutal documentary that focuses on the 1969 free concert at Altamont Speedway that was envisioned by the Rolling Stones as a fun time for everyone to "get it on", and ended with chaos and someone being killed, which is shown in the film. With the Hell's Angels in charge of security, and a vast crowd in a senseless and often aggressive drug induced stupor, watching this evolve is like looking into the abyss of the damned. The mid and late '60s were not the flower-power love generation years some remember through rose-tinted lenses, they were very often violent and hateful, as anyone who saw the rabble "express themselves" at the 1968 Democratic Convention can attest. There are people who blame the outcome of this concert on the Hell's Angels, but this film proves that they were only a part of the problem.

There is also much pretension: Guys in suits trying to be hip and cool, and Melvin Belli, the celebrity attorney of his day, making sure he gets his 15 minutes of camera time. The Rolling Stones (at this point Mick Taylor had replaced Brian Jones, who had died in July of that year) seem to be out of place in dealing with their fame, and trying to "act the part", as well as being in a fog of substance abuse. Mick Jagger is the one that appears to be the most "in control", and he tries his best to bring calm and order to the concert crowd, to no avail.
There are short sequences of other groups, like the Jefferson Airplane, and musically, perhaps the best part in the entire film is Tina Turner, as she sings "I've Been Loving You Too Long" all the while using the microphone as a substitute love interest.
Total running time is 91 minutes.

All or in part, the songs performed by the Stones are:
"Honky Tonk Man"
"Brown Sugar"
"Gimme Shelter"
"Jumpin' Jack Flash"
"Love in Vain"
"Satisfaction"
"Street Fighting Man"
"Sympathy for the Devil"
"Under My Thumb"
"Wild Horses"
"You Gotta Move" ... Read more

Reviews (16)

UNDERRATED CLASSIC
THERE ARE MANY DISPARAGING REVIEWS AND COMMENTS CIRCULATING ABOUT THIS FILM. TRUE, IT WAS A COMMERCIAL FLOP; AND, TRUE, THIS MIGHT BE THE MOVIE THAT DESTROYED ANDY'S MOVIE CAREER. HOWEVER, ALL OF THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT THIS IS A WELL MADE, THOUGH CHEESY, FILM. OF COURSE, WITHOUT ANDY IT WOULDN'T BE NEAR AS GOOD, BUT IN ANY EVENT, IT'S WORTH WATCHING. PERFECT FOR THE KIDS.

Underrated Classic
Two robots (portrayed by Andy Kaufman and Bernadette Peters) escape from their factory(along with a hack-comedian type of robot) and embark on a wilderness adventure. Along the way, they create a child named Phil from spare parts, all the while falling madly in love with one another. There are a lot of disparaging comments circulating about this film, but don't let that discourage you. Perfect for the kids.

Underrated Kaufman classic features bizarre world view
Many people never understood Andy Kaufman's creative genius while he was alive, and it seems that many people never will. Kaufman's performances in mainstream TV stuff like Taxi were well and great, but it's his fringe work that I feel best represents what Kaufman had to say about the world. HEARTBEEPS is one of those early 80s films that clearly dates itself with its cheesy hairstyles and out-of-date social commentary, yet at its heart lies a film about the dehumane treatment of "weaker" people that wear their heart on their sleave... as well as their battery pack. Andy's pewrformance (as well as Bernadette Peter's) is full of mild wit and charm, and his eyes (hidden underneath what I consider to be some of Academy Award Winning make-up artist Stan Winston's most creative and beatiful effects) portray a character full of innocense, imagination, and a rebellious sense of curiousity. A beautiful, low-budget look at a surreal future (back when the era of capitalism and "Reaganomics" reigned over humanitarianism and progressiveness) in which robots are the only true humanistic creatures left on the earth, and the sheer message of hope and love that such creatures are capable of... despite their creators' faulty programming. A highly recommended film for fans of Andy Kaufman or even strange old cheesy films full of quirky characters, odd make-up effects, and robotic romance. This is one of the best little cult comedies of the 1980s, and severely under appreciated for what it has to offer fans of the goofy and sentimental. Don't let other people that don't "get" Kaufman's brilliance and off-beat sense of humor put you off from experiencing something so lovely and unique as HEARTBEEPS.

Great For Kids, Agony For Adults
This movie is a wonderful children's film. I believe one of the reasons this film was so poorly recieved is because it was sold as a comedy when it is, in fact, a kids movie. There are a lot of lessons and interesting ideas about humanity and free will that are touched on in this movie. And to all Andy Kaufman fans: This is not an "Andy Kaufman movie". It has nothing to do with ANYTHING he did in his stage act.

Well, I Like It.
This is one of those rare films that people either love or hate. I happen to like it a lot, but I have personal reasons. I was three when I first saw it, and I fell in love with it. Then, it disappeared and I went for well over seventeen years before I saw it was finally re-issued on video. Thus, it brings back my childhood, and that is why I like it. I can perfectly understand why people hate this movie. Is it cheesy and stupid? Yes. Is it charming and quaint? I think so. You really have to decide for yourself, but I think it is worth a watch. I showed it to my girlfriend and my little brother, telling them this was my favorite movie when I was little. My brother adored it and watched it many times. My girlfriend just looked at me with a strange face. Decide for yourself. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Grateful Documentary
A totally awesome documentary that will make you tap your feet, smile, shed a tear and dry your eyes on the wind. Not only is this DVD absorbing and enlightening, it is also cozy as an old hammock. For lovers of Jerry's music and the man himself, you'll get to see him in a further intimate setting than usual. You will learn of Jerry's other musical loves and how and where this sound was originated from. You will also be graced with the expertise of a one Mr. David Grisman, whom like Jerry is able to carry himself to another time and place and bring back to you, the listener, this assured style of music known as DAWG. Speaking in Psychedelic babble, I truly believe these folks perform a certain type of melodious séance, if you will, to bring to us this sweet sound of long beyond. Many thanks to David Grisman for making this film possible and allowing admirers of Jerry to see him in a different sphere. On a sad note, it will make you miss Jerry all the more.
This is a must for any Dead Head, especially those who loved the traditional ballads.
Peace, friendship and love your family with this disk.
*Remember, this is not a concert piece. This is a pure Documentary and if you are looking for just a concert, it may not be for you.

Hanging out with Jerry
This is such a great film! A real "must see" for fans of Jerry, blue grass, and lovers of music in general. The film gives an insight into Jerry's other musical interests outside of the Grateful Dead and also a real peak at what "hanging out" with Jerry must have been like. Everything is very candid and the love and respect these two have for each other and the music they made shines through. By the end of the movie you'll have a tear in your eye and a smile on your face. This is a great story about the greatest story teller and a movie your whole family can enjoy.

Grisman and Garcia - Beards of a Feather
Unlike most of the reviewers here I am more of a dawghead than a deadhead. David Grisman is my musical idol. The man is a creative genius. I bought the DVD because there's very little video available of David Grisman and I knew that this would be a video bonanza for Grisman fans. I'm not disappointed. The only drawback to this movie in my opinion is that it wasn't shot as a documentary but as Gillian Grisman says, it was a hodgepodge of home movies that were simply used to create a documentary a few years after Garcia's death. Still, there is a certain charm to the fact that it wasn't shot as a documentary. The subjects are free to be themselves, not realizing that anyone outside of their inner circle will ever view the footage. It's obvious that Gillian decided to study the art of movie making once she determined that she was going to create a documentary. She went to great lengths to tell the story of her dad and Garcia with an appropriate thread of performance, studio, and interview video. Sure, there are a lot of interview clips, but it is a documentary after all. Personally I didn't find them all that distracting. And for an added bonus, the DVD viewer has the option of viewing the movie with commentaries from David and Gillian. Several outtakes are also added, including Vassar Clements' embarrassing story of how he was playing with Garcia without really knowing who the Grateful Dead are. I'm sure most deadheads will love this flick. I know dawgheads like me will.

Nicely done
Check out this movie. If you're into bluegrass, you ought to pick this up. We all know the distinctive style of Jerry's guitar sounds with the Dead, but have you heard him on the banjo? The music that he played with Dave Grisman, Vassar Clements, Peter Rowan, and John Kahn is some of the best bluegrass you can get. There is a certain laid-back way about their sound. Some folks find bluegrass to be too shrill and hyperactive. You don't get that sense, even when they're frailing at top speeds. Which they can do with the best of em.

Also included are a variety of other sessions with David Grisman, including some footage of the Pizza Tapes sessions with Tony Rice. You're doing yourself a favor buying this disk.

Gratetful Dawg
Awesome! It must be getting early
Clocks are running late
Paint by numbers morning sky
Looks so phony

Dawn is breaking everywhere
Light a candle, curse the glare
Draw the curtains, I don't care
'Cause it's alright

I will get by
I will get by
I will get by
I will survive

I see you got your list out
Say your piece and get out (note 1)
Yes I got the gist of it
But it's alright

Sorry that you feel that way
The only thing there is to say
Every silver lining's got a
Touch of grey

It's a lesson to me
The Ables and the Bakers and the C's
The A B C's
We all must face
And try to keep a little grace

I know the rent is in arrears
The dog has not been fed in years
It's even worse than it appears
But it's alright

Cows are giving kerosene
The kid can't read at seventeen
The words he knows are all obscene
But it's alright

I will get by
I will get by
I will get by
I will survive

It's a lesson to me
The Deltas and the East and the Freeze
The A B C's
We all think of
And try to keep a little love

The shoe is on the hand it fits
There's really nothing much to it
Whistle through your teeth and split
'Cause it's alright

Oh well a touch of grey
Kind of suits you anyway
That was all I had to say
And it's alright

I will get by
I will get by
I will get by
I will survive

We will get by
We will get by
We will get by
We will survive ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Wonderful Tribute
This film is art. it is made from the heart and shares the integrity of The Pranksters relationship to Tim Leary. the reviewers that dissed it don't understand the place it comes from. the "unknown prankster" mentioned by one of the negative reviewers is KEN BABBS, Ken Kesey's partner. The creator of the film is OB Babbs who grew up within the Pranksters. They resurrect the bus and take a magic trip to pick up Timothy Leary and together go to Camp Winnarainbow, Wavy Gravy's place. Tim is in it alot & is having a great time. it's a heartwarming tribute and a blessing for the viewers to see Tim just before he passed away. RIP Tim & Ken. Enjoy this terrific film!

Bad trip
This thing was horrible it barely had anything to do with Timothy Leary, I was realy let down and if you are a true Leary fan dont check it out, its not worth the time, but if your some wannabe acid head then this movie is for you.

INCREDIBLE VIDEO
Wonderful video, on exactly what the title says "Tim Leary's Last Trip". That first reviewer must not be able to read a title... as Ken Kesey says "The dumb people will always out number the smart people", so that explains his poor review, he's just illiterate.
The Kesey stuff is a bonus from what the film is about, "Tim Leary's Last Trip", esp with the 'recent' mid-1990s meeting of Leary and Kesey.
A great video..... plus Leary himself explains an error in Tom Wolfe's "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test", which should delight all.

TIMOTHY LEARY EXPLOITED!!!!!!
BEWARE! This video isn't really about Tim at all. It is more about the Merry Pranksters than anything else. I thought I would find a good documentary about one of the most brilliant men of the century, the man who wrote Exo-Psychology, the man who served prison time with a smile on his face. This film merely exploits Tim's memory.

Very very bad and cheasy..!!!!
As this story starts out, you get the excited feeling that you are about to witness an in-depth and expansive insight into Timothy Leary... suddenly a tall lanky kid (the son of an unknown Merry Prankster) leads you on a goofball idiotic history of the Merry Prankster 60's.. He talks to you like you are 7 years old and continually tries to sensationalize word, "LSD", like it is a mind shattering word that will just blow you over with the way he says it. His sensationalist attempt fails and just makes him look really naive and stupid.. You tire of the performance 5 minutes into the show. It seems obvious that the age group this is intended for must be the teeny bopper group. Timothy Leary is hardly in this movie, except for a few occasional places, it's instead devoted to Ken Kessey and his merry pranksters and everything they did in the 60's. They eventually meet up together near the end of Learys life and Kessey exploits the situtaion to steal the show with his "warrior philosophy" in which leary describes later as "I just played along" You get the feeling that most everyone who attended didnt really know who leary was, except that he was connected with l.s.d. in some way. Most had never read any of his work.. He must have secretly been very lonley towards the end.

Timothy Leary was a big brain, no doubt, just explore Exo-Psychology (a work that modern day psychology has never really been able to decrypt) He made some genuine and important contributions to psychology, he was a real pioneer and a Galileo of his time.. it's sad that he should be used in such a lame and cheap attempt to make some bucks or to fulfill the ego's of the those that missed the 60's and want to take advantage of a spotlight shining on a greater person. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

A powerful teaching tool!
The thesis that Ron Mann presents the viewer with in this well-crafted and colorful documentary is: that Government has always profited from laws against Marijuana; and, ergo, has refused to legalize the drug in spite of the fact that it has (arguably) been medically proven to be less harmful and addictive than alcohol. That thesis is examined thoroughly from a historical vantage point and addressed brilliantly with qualitative data, (mainly consisting of historical film footage and historical facts). Although, at times, the presentation of statistical data is somewhat dubious (Specifically, I would deduct one-half star for Mann's consistent referral to Government spending in the general "War on Drugs" as the "War on Marijuana").

I agree with most of the reviews of this film and would add that whether the viewer's position is pro-legalization or anti-legalization there is a lot of insight to be gleaned from knowing the history of Marijuana legislation in America. I would highly recommend this film for college professors concerned with teaching students about either: a) the role of political and economic power in the creation of a body of laws; or b) the power of government-sponsored propaganda with regard to the creation of sub-groups of social deviants. There is also a lot to be learned about the making of a documetary from examining the presentation of the thesis.

The most laudable aspect of this documentary, which is narrated by Woody Harrelson, is its historical "linearity" in presenting the events that eventally led to status of Marijuana in today's society. The documentary begins by showing us some footage from the early 1900's that seems to confirm that the earliest attempts to criminalize pot-smoking in America came about largely as the result of predjudice and fear toward Mexican immigrants to the US. Footage from the 1920's and 1930's seems to confirm that the government had effectively mastered the power to control other disenfranchised segments of the population (such as African Americans) indirectly through the passage of laws aimed at behaviors associated with those segments. Likewise, footage from the 1950's and 1960's indicates that the pot laws similarly geared to target first "communists" and then anti-war hippies. Footage from more recent decades seems to confirm that although by the 1970's most of the American popualtion were aware that pot was generally an innocuous distraction from reality, the demonization of grass had become so embedded in American culture that legalization was not an option.

While the presentation of the 1900-1950 data from the film is often punctuated by scare-film clips (ie: clips from "Reefer Madness", etc.) which provide the viewer with some chuckles, with regard to the substatiative content of the film, there are some particularly powerful moments that can not be disregarded. First, there are film clips taken from 1960's medical experiments, which actually show the effects of marijuana on experimental groups to be harmless. Second, evidence is presented that seems to confirm that the results of these experiements were systemically disregarded by lawmakers (especially by Richard Nixon who, in spite of medical evidence, decided to step-up efforts to punish marijuana criminals). Finally, Mann's presentation of legislation dictating the use of cannabis, accentuates the progressively counterintuitive body of law related to the drug.

In sum, although the film was produced by NORML, this is not the "government bash-fest" that I would have expected. While I otherwise liked the review, I strongly take exception to the reviewer who claimed that is "...this video is propaganda for fans of grass...". The tone of the documentary is suprisingly objective most of the time and highly academic in its presentation of historical fact and lawmaking. It really doesn't even come across as pushing a political agenda - much less as "ramming one down your throat". Show it in the classroom and see what the students think.

propaganda about propaganda
For what it's worth I do agree with what the film-makers of "Grass" have to say... that our government's criminilization of marijuana is a far greater crime than all the use, dealing, and growing of it combined and multiplied. But the film would have been better if it had been a little more even handed in it's approach. This film isn't gonna change many people's minds on the issue of legalization. I also think that this film could have gone further than simply attacking the government propaganda over the years. It is affective as a compilation of ridiculous propaganda (at times you'd swear the people who made these things were trying to be funny). But it doesn't tackle key issues like the competition that hemp provides to the paper and cotton industries, which could arguably be the main motivation behind the millions and millions of dollars wasted on this "war".

Great Documentary
What a great... wait where am I? How the heck did I end up here?

One Toke Short Of The Mark
The United States of America has spent untold billions to search out, arrest, prosecute, and imprison people who use marijuana; all the time, money, and effort that has gone into this has had very little effect; and it does seem odd, particularly given evidence that alcohol and nicotine are much deadlier, that we put so much emphasis on the clearly futile effort to eradicate its use. It is a situation ripe for a documentary that combines hard fact with witty satire, and this is precisely what GRASS attempts to do.

But "attempts" is the operative word here. While the film is accurate re the facts it presents, it tends to ignore facts it doesn't like--chief among them that any drug, all the way from cough syrup to heroin, can be abused, and marijuana is no exception to the rule. Ron Mann's failure to acknowledge this tends to undercut his own argument, and what ultimately emerges is a film that argues FOR the legalization of marijuana TO people who are already in favor of it.

That said, while the film presents plenty of amusing graphics and often hilarious snips of vintage films such as the notorious REEFER MADNESS, the pace is just a shade too laid back to hold the narrative together. When all is said and done, it lacks both the informational and visual spark of a truly first rate documentary. Worth watching once, but only if you don't expect too much from it.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

great movie
this documentary on marijuana use from roughly 1900 to present times is awesome. it has vintage footage of adults smoking joints in their living room in the 60s for recreational use. my favorite part is when they show the soldiers in Vietnam smoking out of their gun. they use the bullet chamber of the gun as the bowl for the pot and smoke it out of the barrel.
its narrated by woody harrelson, known stoner. they also show the origins of weed in america when mexican immigrants brought it over for breaks during their labor in texas. i say thank you to them. anyways, it also shows the hippies in san francisco smokin joints. and talks about the fight to legalize it in america. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The only Grateful Dead video to have received a theatrical release (in the mid-'70s), this film is a real time capsule. See Keith and Donna Godcheaux as integral parts of the band! See the Wall of Sound! See the trippy animation! See Jerry with all-black hair! The photography and sound are crude and not on par with those in some of the more recent Dead videos, notably Ticket to New Year's or Downhill from Here, but its earnestness, and its focus on an era in the Band's history with little other video documentation, more than make up for the lack of polish. There's some above-average music, too, especially "Eyes of the World" and the ever-irresistible "U.S. Blues." --Anne Hurley ... Read more

Reviews (17)

There is Nothing Like A Grateful Dead Concert!
This video is a documentation of the Grateful Dead's "Retirement" conerts at Bill Graham's Winterland in San Fransisco, CA. in October, 1974. The band had made the decision to take an indefinate amount of time off from the road, and give themselves a much deserved (and needed) break.

This film is an excellent view of the band at the end of one of their many peaks over the years. It features much fine music, as well as many insightful views of the scene that had come to surround them. Jerry Garcia himself edited over 150 hours of film to come up with this 2hr, 20 minute bit of history.

This is a high-quality endeavor from start to finish. Whether you've been 'on the bus' since the beginning, or never got the chance to go to see the band in person, this film is a must see for fans of all ages.

Absolutely the best movie about the Dead!
This great movie has done something no other Grateful Dead production has succeeded in doing: blending the music of the Dead with the feeling of what it was like to attend a '70s Dead show. The Views from the Vault, Downhill from Here, etc., are nice videos, but they capture the Dead in outside venues. Yes, the sound quality on those is great. But "The Grateful Dead Movie," culled from a San Francisco run just before the boys took a year or so off, goes beyond mere music. It focuses on the fans, too. My favorite scene is the obviously blissed out fan whose standing in front of the stage the whole time; close behind is the equally "dosed" amigo in the white slacks and sport coat that have been tie-dyed. The camera captures the cops being cool with the heads sitting outside waiting for the show and passing doobs -- something that wouldn't happen in this day and age. The opening animation is awesome and dissolves into a nice U.S. Blues as the film replaces the animation. From the moment this VHS begins until the final credits, it's great, great stuff. Yes, Jerry was very involved in its editing, so I'm sure his artistic talents had a great impact on the end results. The ONLY down side to things is that this isn't available on DVD format yet. The day it is (and that day surely will come), I'll order it the day it's released and revel in a film classic for about the 200th time. Great stuff. If you want video of the Dead, start HERE!

Dead at their best
I remember when I couldn't wait for this movie to come to the big screen every few years. It is awesome. It is The Grateful Dead at their best. I have been hoping it will come out on DVD. If you like The Grateful Dead during that time period you will love this movie.

travel with your mind
The Grateful Dead Movie is a total gas from start to finish. It documents a pretty amazing scene, when 90 percent of the audience was tripping and enjoying an intense journey through time and space. The Dead were arguably at the peak of their powers during this era and the playing is fantastic. HIGHLY recommended.

It's a ten on the 1-5 scale.
I am amazed at how many younger fans I know who have not seen this classic.

There is NOTHING LIKE the Grateful Dead Movie.

Watch the movie tripping, then get out your 1968-69, and 1973-74 tapes. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

UNDERRATED CLASSIC
THERE ARE MANY DISPARAGING REVIEWS AND COMMENTS CIRCULATING ABOUT THIS FILM. TRUE, IT WAS A COMMERCIAL FLOP; AND, TRUE, THIS MIGHT BE THE MOVIE THAT DESTROYED ANDY'S MOVIE CAREER. HOWEVER, ALL OF THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT THIS IS A WELL MADE, THOUGH CHEESY, FILM. OF COURSE, WITHOUT ANDY IT WOULDN'T BE NEAR AS GOOD, BUT IN ANY EVENT, IT'S WORTH WATCHING. PERFECT FOR THE KIDS.

Underrated Classic
Two robots (portrayed by Andy Kaufman and Bernadette Peters) escape from their factory(along with a hack-comedian type of robot) and embark on a wilderness adventure. Along the way, they create a child named Phil from spare parts, all the while falling madly in love with one another. There are a lot of disparaging comments circulating about this film, but don't let that discourage you. Perfect for the kids.

Underrated Kaufman classic features bizarre world view
Many people never understood Andy Kaufman's creative genius while he was alive, and it seems that many people never will. Kaufman's performances in mainstream TV stuff like Taxi were well and great, but it's his fringe work that I feel best represents what Kaufman had to say about the world. HEARTBEEPS is one of those early 80s films that clearly dates itself with its cheesy hairstyles and out-of-date social commentary, yet at its heart lies a film about the dehumane treatment of "weaker" people that wear their heart on their sleave... as well as their battery pack. Andy's pewrformance (as well as Bernadette Peter's) is full of mild wit and charm, and his eyes (hidden underneath what I consider to be some of Academy Award Winning make-up artist Stan Winston's most creative and beatiful effects) portray a character full of innocense, imagination, and a rebellious sense of curiousity. A beautiful, low-budget look at a surreal future (back when the era of capitalism and "Reaganomics" reigned over humanitarianism and progressiveness) in which robots are the only true humanistic creatures left on the earth, and the sheer message of hope and love that such creatures are capable of... despite their creators' faulty programming. A highly recommended film for fans of Andy Kaufman or even strange old cheesy films full of quirky characters, odd make-up effects, and robotic romance. This is one of the best little cult comedies of the 1980s, and severely under appreciated for what it has to offer fans of the goofy and sentimental. Don't let other people that don't "get" Kaufman's brilliance and off-beat sense of humor put you off from experiencing something so lovely and unique as HEARTBEEPS.

Great For Kids, Agony For Adults
This movie is a wonderful children's film. I believe one of the reasons this film was so poorly recieved is because it was sold as a comedy when it is, in fact, a kids movie. There are a lot of lessons and interesting ideas about humanity and free will that are touched on in this movie. And to all Andy Kaufman fans: This is not an "Andy Kaufman movie". It has nothing to do with ANYTHING he did in his stage act.

Well, I Like It.
This is one of those rare films that people either love or hate. I happen to like it a lot, but I have personal reasons. I was three when I first saw it, and I fell in love with it. Then, it disappeared and I went for well over seventeen years before I saw it was finally re-issued on video. Thus, it brings back my childhood, and that is why I like it. I can perfectly understand why people hate this movie. Is it cheesy and stupid? Yes. Is it charming and quaint? I think so. You really have to decide for yourself, but I think it is worth a watch. I showed it to my girlfriend and my little brother, telling them this was my favorite movie when I was little. My brother adored it and watched it many times. My girlfriend just looked at me with a strange face. Decide for yourself. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Stunning - Amazing...!
This video is an inside look into the life of one of the greatest jazz musicians... Life on the road mixed with interviews and performances.... Highly, highly recommended... 6 stars!

a truly diverse and fascinating artist
this is more than just a blah-blah-blah documentary. it's a great look at what it means to be a modern jazz artist. everything from the incidental backstage chatter among musicians to the telephone interviews (by less-than-knowledgable interviewers) to trying hard to get psyched up before a show when the feeling isn't necessarily there. this film is just so damned honest. you end up getting a sense of an artist who -- despite his tremendous talent -- is fighting against a music industry that doesn't try to sell jazz beyond it's 2% market share. you can see his frustration...but you can feel his love for the music and the people he performs with. by the end of the film you wish branford lived in your neighborhood and invited you over for a BBQ. he's just that magnanimous.

greatest jazz video ever
this video is an interesting exploration into how marsalis sees and hears music, ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Some material may not be suitable for younger viewers.
I purchased this video series for my high school History of Rock and Roll class. I was thoroughly impressed by a majority of the material in this series.

Good points: Excellent footage of rock and roll heroes (Beatles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, Led Zepplin, etc.) as well as lesser known groups (The Hollies, Gerry and the Pacemakers, etc.). Outstanding interviews from artists and figures such as Hank Ballard, Carl Perkins, Ozzie Osborn, Dick Clark, Bono, Eddie Van Halen, Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Little Richard, Mick Jaggar, Tom Petty, Lindsey Buckingham, and countless others. Footage of various historical events help put the music in perspective (civil rights, Vietnam, sexual revolution, etc.).

Bad Points: Some material may not be for younger audiences. Nearly all volumes (2 & 3 excluded) have some PG-13 language (including Pete Townsend's liberal use of the F-word). A couple of tapes (I'm thinking of volume 6 & 8 in particular) have some female nudity. Anyone thinking about letting a class view this should keep that in mind. Some movements in Rock and Roll are touched on too lightly: Soul, Motown and funk are kind of grouped together, Jazz Rock is barely mentioned, etc.

Final Verdict: Probably the best Rock and Roll series out there now. We need Ken Burns's take on this subject.

NOT the excellent PBS series "Rock & Roll"
In 1995, two -- count 'em -- TWO ten-part TV series on the history of rock and roll were broadcast: the superb "Rock & Roll" on PBS, and this one in syndication. Unfortunately, this is the one that seems to persist; VH1 ran it a few years back, and now it's on DVD. There's really no comparison -- think "I Love The 80's" (minus the humor) vs. "Ken Burns' Jazz".

The whole feeling of the thing is cheap and exploitative. I didn't care for the way ALL the same musicians were quoted about ALL periods and ALL types of music. So you get Tom Petty and Elvis Costello (both of whom I love, don't get me wrong) talking about the Beatles AND Elvis AND punk, etc., as opposed to in "Rock & Roll", where as much as possible the people on camera are the people who were there -- Chuck Berry, Sam Phillips, the earliest rock and roll DJs. Also, other than trying to pander to lowest common denominator segment of the audience, what's the point of singling out rap and disco for the "fair and balanced" treatment -- i.e., giving equal time to musicians who hate that kind of music? Skunk Baxter and Gregg Allman, weighing in on rap ("...short for CRAP!") come off as smug hillbilly bigots.

Pandering is evident in the structure of the show as well. Although the idea of starting in the middle (Bob Dylan goes electric) and then proceeding from the beginning is interesting, I can't be too impressed with later chapters like "The 70's" -- again, I'm biased toward the thematic episodes of "Rock and Roll" rather than the grab-bag approach. The last chapter is almost embarassing in the way it rushes through the final 15-odd years post-1980 to get to Green Day (very hot in 1995, but can you imagine they'd make the cut if this series were made today?).

Long story short, wait for the next PBS pledge drive and watch "Rock and Roll" instead.

OK BUT SHOULD BE TITLED THE PARTIAL HISTORY OF ROCK & SLOCK
OK FOR THE CASUAL MUSIC BUFF BUT SOOO MUCH LEFT OUT. EVERY HEARD OF ONE HIT WONDERS ? 4 SEASONS (WHAT WOULD THE EARLY 60'S BE WITHOUT SHERRY,LET'S HANG ON,BIG GIRLS ETC ,ETC),DION, SEEDS,LOVE,3 DOG NIGHT,GRASSROOTS, AL GREEN & THE BIGGEST SELLING SINGLES BAND IN THE LATE 60'S/EARLY 70'S CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL DON'T EVEN GET A MENTION !!! THE MOST PLAYED OLDIE IS WINDY BY THE ASSOCIATION, NEVER MENTIONED. LISTEN TO YOUR FAVORITE OLDIES STATION AND HALF OF WHAT YOU HEAR IS NOT HERE. IF IT WAS $39.99 IT WOULD BE WELL WORTH THE PRICE BUT AT 70 TO 90 DOLLARS OUCH !!

PLUS IT'S NOT A CRIME TO PLAY THE ENTIRE SONG WITHOUT PUTTING BONO OR BOWIE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.
I HAVE BEEN IN THE MUSIC RETAIL BUSINESS FOR 30 SOME YEARS AND A GOOD 50% OF MY SALES ARE NOT IN THIS COLLECTION. SORRY BUT HIP HOP,DANCE,HOUSE & RAP IS NOT ROCK & ROLL !!!

Ultimate Comprehensive Rock and Roll Documentary
For many years I'd been hoping someone would make a comprehensive documentary detailing the fascinating history of rock music, which in a real sense is the history of America in the last half of the twentieth century. Then, suddenly, within a three year period, not one, but two excellent documentaries are released: this one, produced by Time-Life; and another, titled simply "Rock and Roll", produced for public television by a PBS station in Boston. "History of Rock and Roll" is marginally better and combines concert footage (some familiar, some rarely seen) with artists, producers, and arrangers, who give their reflections and interpretations of the entire era. My favorite chapter is "Guitar Heroes" which provides a fascinating history of the electric guitar and how it became such an integral part of rock and roll.

Addendum: I originally purchased the VHS edition when it was released. I just bought the DVD set for the better picuture/sound quality, of course, but also because Amazon describes it as having "80 bonus minutes". I'm halfway through,
but have not yet seen any additional footage.

Good, but not complete history of Rock.
This series is a good place to start to learn the history of Rock 'n' Roll music, especially the roots. Most of the time is spent in the early years and highlights the genres that Rock spun out of and the early artists that Rock artists came to emulate. The producers have succeeded in showing how Rock has stayed true to its roots even with the subsequent various styles.

The main problem with the series is that it does offer a shallow look at much of rock's history as it omits many of its offshoots in the later years. None of the early history should be shortened, but a couple of more episodes going more in depth with some of the later variations would have been nice. (Note: This series was released in 1995, so Nu Metal and other genres since 1995 will not be represented.) An example would be that the series does get into how corporate the music became in the 70s, but really gives too few examples of the groups that embody that distinction. While I personally like late 70s and 80s rock, it was corporate and very few of the bands of that era are even mentioned. Hair Metal was not mentioned at all. It was very popular in the late 80s and its media overkill is what really brought on grunge - grunge was NOT a seamless transition from 70s punk like the series portrays. A whole era was simply erased in this documentary. Prog-Rock of the 70s was barely given a notice, with the exception of Pink Floyd. What about the Heavy Metal and Thrash movements (and any mention of the perceived Satanic influence of Rock in general)? Not covered. What about Country Music's crossover success in the early 90s, thus reuniting one of Rock's root sources with its offspring? These eras should have been discussed in a "history of Rock and Roll.

But still, this is a good set to have and did reveal to me more of where rock came from and how it basically has not strayed too far from its roots. This series does explain very clearly how this music did bring people from different backgrounds and cultures together in a perfect (or sometimes not so) harmony. I think that its greatest triumph is that it shows black and white people truly belonging to the same race, and that is the human race. And in this music is the human soul revealed. I highly recommend this series. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Audio is OK, but get the CDs instead and use your mind...
The audio quality on this is OK. It's a real shame that not much exists from the true heyday of the Dead. This catches them at a New Year's Eve show as they were on their low, slow, sad decline. It's not a BAD DVD. It's actually fun in places, but a Dead show was to be experienced IN PERSON and it just doesn't translate well to video. There is a companion 3-CD set to this, and I would highly recommend that you get it instead, crank up the sound, party a little, and use your imagination and pretend that the Fat Man is still up there making those sweet, round notes that just soothed the soul.

Ticket back in time...
Just watched the "Ticket to New Year's" DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. Of the four Dead DVD's out as of now, I don't know if its the best, I seem to like View from the Vault I. But hey, this well worth having in your collection. The audio is crisp and sharp and while the special effects that were added to the video may annoy some, I thought they are pretty funny. Funny in the sense that I wonder if whoever was in charge of putting the effects on the video was saying "Wow man, this is gonna trip people out..." Whatever, no big deal. I recommend getting your hand's on every Dead DVD you can, in hopes that the powers that be see that there is a demand for them. There are alot more shows that could be put out (View from the vault III in October) and I hope they come around soon. It's a great escape to tune into Jerry and the Boys for a few hours, they were a unique band that communicated a vibe that doesn't seem to be prevelant anymore... MY ADVICE TO YOU: TURN OFF THE SIX O'CLOCK PARANOIA NEWS CHANNEL OR WHATEVER OTHER JUNK THAT MAY BE ON TV, POP A COUPLE OF HEINEKEN'S, SLIDE IN A DEAD DVD AND YOU'LL FEEL MUCH BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF.

Great disc- tremendous sound, good picture
I bought the VHS tape in 1998, and I just picked up the DVD- this was a great concert from 12/31/1987 in California.
This DVD and the View from the Vault # 4 DVD (number 4 in the series) are this band's best video releases.

Stop the madness!
If there are any GDP people reading I am BEGGING YOU to stop putting out DVDs with those disastrously cheesy video effects which you inevitably lay on thick during the most interesting musical improvisations ("have pychedelic experience here"). They really ruin it for me. Allow me to create pictures in my own head, thanks (I recall seeing some pretty wild stuff back then but can't for the life of me remember a sailboat gliding across Jerry's axe!). As the years go by these horrible effects just seem more and more dated and embarrassing. The only way to go forward with these releases is to preserve maximum video and audio integrity, let the Grateful Dead speak for themselves and RESIST THE URGE to press the effects button. Let me try to put this as succintly as I can: NOBODY WANTS TO SEE THAT GARBAGE! In the case of this DVD it really ruins for me what is an otherwise very enjoyable experience. For those who have the disk, watch UJB again and tell me that the video retards don't go absolutely ga-ga PRECISELY when you don't want them to. Please people, get a clue. Stop the madness!

Great, great show
This was a hot show. Great video of the show. Doesn't capture all the live energy, but it's pretty decent.

Deadheads won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

UNDERRATED CLASSIC
THERE ARE MANY DISPARAGING REVIEWS AND COMMENTS CIRCULATING ABOUT THIS FILM. TRUE, IT WAS A COMMERCIAL FLOP; AND, TRUE, THIS MIGHT BE THE MOVIE THAT DESTROYED ANDY'S MOVIE CAREER. HOWEVER, ALL OF THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT THIS IS A WELL MADE, THOUGH CHEESY, FILM. OF COURSE, WITHOUT ANDY IT WOULDN'T BE NEAR AS GOOD, BUT IN ANY EVENT, IT'S WORTH WATCHING. PERFECT FOR THE KIDS.

Underrated Classic
Two robots (portrayed by Andy Kaufman and Bernadette Peters) escape from their factory(along with a hack-comedian type of robot) and embark on a wilderness adventure. Along the way, they create a child named Phil from spare parts, all the while falling madly in love with one another. There are a lot of disparaging comments circulating about this film, but don't let that discourage you. Perfect for the kids.

Underrated Kaufman classic features bizarre world view
Many people never understood Andy Kaufman's creative genius while he was alive, and it seems that many people never will. Kaufman's performances in mainstream TV stuff like Taxi were well and great, but it's his fringe work that I feel best represents what Kaufman had to say about the world. HEARTBEEPS is one of those early 80s films that clearly dates itself with its cheesy hairstyles and out-of-date social commentary, yet at its heart lies a film about the dehumane treatment of "weaker" people that wear their heart on their sleave... as well as their battery pack. Andy's pewrformance (as well as Bernadette Peter's) is full of mild wit and charm, and his eyes (hidden underneath what I consider to be some of Academy Award Winning make-up artist Stan Winston's most creative and beatiful effects) portray a character full of innocense, imagination, and a rebellious sense of curiousity. A beautiful, low-budget look at a surreal future (back when the era of capitalism and "Reaganomics" reigned over humanitarianism and progressiveness) in which robots are the only true humanistic creatures left on the earth, and the sheer message of hope and love that such creatures are capable of... despite their creators' faulty programming. A highly recommended film for fans of Andy Kaufman or even strange old cheesy films full of quirky characters, odd make-up effects, and robotic romance. This is one of the best little cult comedies of the 1980s, and severely under appreciated for what it has to offer fans of the goofy and sentimental. Don't let other people that don't "get" Kaufman's brilliance and off-beat sense of humor put you off from experiencing something so lovely and unique as HEARTBEEPS.

Great For Kids, Agony For Adults
This movie is a wonderful children's film. I believe one of the reasons this film was so poorly recieved is because it was sold as a comedy when it is, in fact, a kids movie. There are a lot of lessons and interesting ideas about humanity and free will that are touched on in this movie. And to all Andy Kaufman fans: This is not an "Andy Kaufman movie". It has nothing to do with ANYTHING he did in his stage act.

Well, I Like It.
This is one of those rare films that people either love or hate. I happen to like it a lot, but I have personal reasons. I was three when I first saw it, and I fell in love with it. Then, it disappeared and I went for well over seventeen years before I saw it was finally re-issued on video. Thus, it brings back my childhood, and that is why I like it. I can perfectly understand why people hate this movie. Is it cheesy and stupid? Yes. Is it charming and quaint? I think so. You really have to decide for yourself, but I think it is worth a watch. I showed it to my girlfriend and my little brother, telling them this was my favorite movie when I was little. My brother adored it and watched it many times. My girlfriend just looked at me with a strange face. Decide for yourself. ... Read more

Amazon.com

With acoustic string components that stretch across centuries and a "high lonesome" vocal signature that evokes windblown mountain tops, bluegrass music sounds like an artifact of a pre-industrial America.Yet, for all its hand-hewn craft and plangent "ancient tones," the style is a pure 20th-century dialect roughly contemporaneous with bebop--a small group sound designed, refined, and arguably perfected by just one man, eastern Kentucky mandolinist Bill Monroe. It's common practice for pundits to confer patriarchy on artists who popularize a style, but Monroe's paternity for bluegrass is absolute: without him, the style would not exist.

That achievement is chronicled with care and precision in Steve Gebhardt's superb 90-minute portrait of Monroe, which benefits from extensive interview footage shot three years before Monroe passed away in 1996. Under the gentle interrogation of musical acolytes, folk veteran John Hartford and country-bluegrass star Ricky Skaggs, the white-haired, hawk-faced octogenarian relives his bluegrass genesis. He recounts the pivotal influences of his fiddle-playing Uncle Pen Vandiver (inspiration for Monroe's classic "Uncle Pen") and black bluesman Arnold Schultz, discusses how he came to devise the style's classic instrumentation (fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and "bull fiddle"), and reminisces about his 1940s emergence as an early star of WSM/Nashville's Grand Ole Opry--a media crucible for modern country music which Monroe played a vital role in building.

Both casual fans and bluegrass fanatics will revel in the completeness of Gebhardt's vision, which expertly weaves the often poignant Monroe interviews (including sweetly moving duets with Hartford and Skaggs) with additional interviews and archival film, television, and still photographs. Past and present members of Monroe's Bluegrass (née Blue Grass) Boys testify to Monroe's sure command of his lifelong franchise, as do an impressive choir of believers including Emmylou Harris, Jerry Garcia, Marty Stuart, and former Bluegrass Boys Del McCoury and Peter Rowan.

Skaggs convincingly traces the vocal harmonies of Monroe's early bands through the Delmore Brothers, the Blue Sky Boys, and the Louvin Brothers to the Everly Brothers and the Beatles.And when Paul McCartney is heard performing a live version of Monroe's de facto anthem, "Blue Moon of Kentucky," the mandolinist's seminal impact on Elvis Presley is undeniable. --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Excellent documentary on Monroe's life and music
I love this video. Let me say first you will not get a lot of critical information on Bill Monroe. This is no Monroe exposé. Don't expect "Monroe - the man nobody knew."

Rather, this is a video by people who know and love the music, Monroe, and the lifestyle the music comes out of. The John Hartford porch-swing interviews with Monroe are priceless and fill in little bits of information gathered from reading books like Rosenberg's excellent "Bluegrass: A History." The combination interviews/picking sessions with Ricky Skaggs around the campfire really make you want to be there with them. Interviews with everybody from Chubby Wise to Emmy Lou Harris and Marty Stuart show their love and respect for Monroe (although you also see their sides of some of the controversies surrounding Monroe). The live recording of songs with Del McCoury like "I'm On My Way Back to the Old Home" (the first Monroe song I ever sang lead on, and still one of my favorite Monroe songs) add a great deal. (Was that actually Monroe's childhood home shown as a backdrop to that song?) Finally, the scene with Lester Flatt and Monroe onstage together in 1979 (not sure of the date, but not that long before Flatt died) nearly brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it.

If you love the music and the people who make it, you'll watch this video again and again.

A great documentary!
This film is so well done. We all know Bill Monroe is 'the man', but this film shows you some of the why. I knew it was going to be good when it opened with Bill sitting down on a porch swing, taking out his old mandolin, and playing "Blue Grass Special" (I think). Other nice moments are the humor and charisma of Bobby Osbourne. If you like Bill Monroe, this will deepen you appreciation for him. The film flows so well, I watched twice in a row! As an added bonus, the DVD is relatively inexpensive.

A note from the writer/co-producer
Hi, Larry Nager here. I wrote and co-produced Bill Monroe: The Father of Bluegrass Music and I would like to clear up a few things.
First, as to Ms. crmchs, yes, the documentary is NOT a concert film. It was never meant to be and it clearly says so on the box. Steve Gebhardt has been a film-maker since the '60s, working most notably with John Lennon and Yoko Ono as well as the Rolling Stones. My background includes more than 20 years as a music journalist (I am currently music critic for The Cincinnati Enquirer). I also wrote the Book Memphis Beat (1998 St. Martin's Press) and I have been a musician since I was 14, around 35 years ago. I played bass with Red Allen & the Kentuckians for several years and was a member of the Allen-Lilly Band. Some of those recordings can be heard on the Smithsonian-Folkways CD Classic Bluegrass and the label's Red Allen collection. I've also performed with such bluegrass and country greats as Curly Sechler, Johnny Gimble, Josh Graves, Frank Wakefield, Kenny Baker, Marty Stuart, Red Rector and currently perform with Tony Ellis and his son, William Lee Ellis.

In other words, we do know the difference between a concert film and a music documentary. And no, we didn't try to make a concert film and it somehow turned into a documentary. It was a documentary from the start, albeit one with a lot of music, including a rare reunion with Mr. Monroe, Del McCoury, Bill Keith and Chubby Wise. For any true bluegrass fan, that alone is worth the price of the DVD. Criticizing it for not being a concert film is a little bit like saying Hamlet was Shakespeare's least successful comedy.
Concerning the Eastern/Western Kentucky controversy cited in another critique, the misconception came from a typo on the cover notes, which was never corrected.
As to working on the film, it was a true labor of love for all involved and, for myself, getting to know Mr. Monroe on a one-to-one basis will always be one of the highlights of my life. Even in his 80s he was completely engaged, leading his band, writing new music every day, flirting with every pretty woman in the room. He knew the secret of life.

(and I apologize for the five stars, but they wouldn't run the text without it).

Correction
Hey quick note. In Sam's review he speaks of Bill being from Eastern KY. Not to throw my 2 cents in, but Rosine is in Western KY .Not a biggie, just want the fact straight :-). Thanks, Slippery jaw from KY

Grand documentary on America's most important native genre
I saw this documentary when it aired on television a few years ago and it is first rate. Anyone interested in the facts behind how the wonderful music form of Bluegrass developed will love it. I've been patiently waiting for it to be released on DVD! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Misleading tape. More of a documentary of the 60's not Jerry
Where is the life story of Jerry? This is a documentary of the 60's. Not a good buy, save your money on something of real interest.

This video is pure garbage!!!
I bought this video a few years ago and totally regret it. A COMPLETE waste of money, especially if you are a true fan of the Grateful Dead. The only reason I gave it one star is because that was the lowest choice offered. Add to your CD collection instead of throwing your money away on this useless video. If you decide to buy this rubbish in spite of what I say, you only have yourself to blame. ... Read more