Movie Reviews for Bob Dylan - Don't Look Back

Bob Dylan - Don't Look Back

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Movie Reviews of Bob Dylan - Don't Look Back

Movie Review: Archival Treasure
Summary: 5 Stars

Bob Dylan often was in a shroud of mystery. That's why J. Robert Van Dyke's documentary, `Don't Look Back' is so valuable. Caught in the throes of his tour in England, the 1967 copyright only gives the release date of this fun and illuminating look at the great singer/songwriter/musician. Taking from his newly released album, `Bringing It All Back Home,' the footage undoubtedly came from 1965 when he controversially went electric and invented the folk-rock hybrid. The feel of the black and white film sometimes seems shaky and impromptu, and scenes transition at times like a home movie. Yet, the editing is the real gig, capturing some essential moments in the life of Dylan and his entourage at a consequential time in his career.

The highlights are many. There are times for him to "meet the press". What is so revealing is how he turns the tables on one British reporter and a 'Time' correspondent later. When a British reporter asks Bob, "What is your attitude about life?" He's put off by the ubiquitous question; so when he asks the reporter the same question, the reporter says he can't answer the question in two minutes. Dylan responds, "How do you expect me to?" There are other great moments. Joan Baez can be the real ham sometimes, but when she sings in their room her voice resonates beautifully. Similarly, we get a brief, intimate performance by Donovan who visits Dylan. There are also some fine behind-the-scenes action. It becomes heated when the reporters come to interview Dylan, and one man tells his manager, Alan Grossman, to get out. Another scene shows him making interesting negotiations for a couple of Dylan's performing nights in London. Of course, the whole affair is worth the price of admission to be able to see and hear the "Bard of Hibbing" onstage doing numbers like "It's All Right Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" and "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll". The whole film starts with a bare-bones video of "Subterreanean Homesick Blues," with Dylan changing display cards with his lyrics before the Beatles put theirs on `Sgt. Pepper'.

Although not as polished as Scorsese's film, 'No Direction Home,' it is essential. The real comparison is not with Scorsese's work, but a comparison of this film with what it would be like to have gone without it. (I discovered this movie from `Rolling Stone,' as a list-topper from their "Best Films of Rock `N Roll".)


Movie Review: It all stays good
Summary: 5 Stars

I first saw this film as part of the Vancouver Film Festival one summer evening in the late sixties. It engrossed me then and in its VHS form and in this new double cd release. What's great about this issue is the "out takes" have been reworked into a companion piece that accompanies the original release in this package. The commentaries supplied by D.A. Pennebaker and Bob Nieuwerth are fun and insightful. I loved it. and can't wait for someone to do a similar treatment to "Eat The Document", Dylan's tour with the Hawks a year and a bit later.

Movie Review: Don't look Back
Summary: 5 Stars

I always wanted to have this film; and now it's even better. It was a movie that was only seen by a few; now it can be seen by everyone. Thanx for having it.

Movie Review: Finally the complete songs
Summary: 5 Stars

I waited for so long for them to add the rest of the songs on
this great documentary. It is hard to imagine them making this
documentary any better than it was, but they did. Thank you.

Movie Review: It's the Bob
Summary: 5 Stars

What can he say? Where else can he go? Any damn place he wants to. This is great stuff showing exactly why Bob Dylan stands well above any other popular culture figure of the 20th century.
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