tomgillespie2002 Ginger Baker, that fire-haired, heroin-addicted, mentally unstable drummer of Cream and Blind Faith fame, is given a much deserved documentary here at the hands of Rolling Stone journalist Jay Bulger. For all his notorious genius - the guy single-handedly invented the drum solo and heavy metal owes a significant debt - the man is repulsively anti-social and, well, mad. We learn this from the opening scene, as Baker yells at Bulger, who is off-camera, that he doesn't want his friends and colleagues interviewed for the film, while Bulger protests. Cue a pause, then Baker stabs at Bulger with his cane, leaving the film- maker with a bloodied nose.For the rest of the film, Baker is somewhat subdued, slumped in his reclining chair, never without a cigarette and his sunglasses, giving a reluctant commentary on his life and his career. It is Baker's discomfort at being an interviewee that slightly damages the film, as we never really get beneath those red locks and mad eyes of his to the soul (or lack of) beneath. So, Beware of Mr. Baker (the title comes from a warning sign outside Baker's South African ranch), becomes a mere birth- to-present biography of his career. It's still fascinating stuff, and Bulger has unearthed some excellent archive footage and photographs.His colleague and family provide the more personal information on Baker, such as his estranged son, who recollects that he was briefly happy with his father, even drumming alongside him on-stage, before Baker verbally attacked him and sent him on his way. Baker, in simple terms, is a horrible man, but (as the annoying sell-out Johnny Rotten tells us), he is the type of man that true genius often produces. His affection for polo and heroin are not explored enough, and the real focus here is the music. The footage shown is outstanding, ranging from his superstar- creating time with Cream through to some mind-bending footage of drumming 'battles' with his peers and heroes. Yet Baker himself still remains a mystery, and perhaps it should stay that way.www.the-wrath-of-blog.blogspot.com

jodwyer56 I knew quite little about Ginger Baker so the doc was both informing and entertaining. A very interesting character and life indeed. An impressive array of musicians are interviewed about him and all profess genuine admiration for his drumming abilities. It doesn't go over the top with long solos which was a good call by the director. People can just listen to his records for that. It whets the appetite nicely to go and listen to his work.Ginger's family come across very well, especially his son, whose love for his father was severely tested on occasion. Like the man himself they are refreshingly unpretentious and down to earth. It's quite an honest film which makes it all the better and suits the subject matter to a t. Baker is quite enigmatic which makes for all the more interest trying to figure him out.It took a brave man to make this documentary and Jay Bulger was the right man to do it. I would not have been thick-skinned enough to take Mr. Baker. A great watch. Thank you sir!

asc85 If you're a fan of the history of rock'n roll music, this film really is a must. I had heard of Ginger Baker of course, but I'm about 5-7 years too young to have remembered his Cream and Blind Faith years. I didn't realize how fantastic a drummer he was, and as said in the movie, really was one of the pioneers of hard rock. One of my favorite parts of the movie is when the interviewer (I believe it was Jay Bulger) asks Ginger Baker what he thinks of comparisons to John Bonham of Led Zeppelin and Keith Moon of The Who, and he scoffs at the comparison, which wasn't much of a surprise when you see what kind of person Baker is. But then they ask the same question of Eric Clapton, and Clapton thinks it's such a ridiculous comment that he doesn't even let Bulger finish the question! Ginger Baker was a great drummer, but an extremely flawed individual in almost every other regard, which makes him an interesting subject for a film such as this. The critical acclaim has been deservedly high, which is why I had decided to see it in the first place.

tomgraham101-39-39878 I have just seen this film at a BFI screening, with Jay Bulger and the fearsome Mr Baker himself turning up on stage afterwards for a fractious Q&A that ended with shouting, swearing, recriminations all round, and Jay Bulger seemingly storming off stage. The perfect end to a brilliant documentary!The story is fascinating and engaging throughout, with Ginger Baker himself coming across as a complex and contradictory character. While you're appalled at much of his behaviour (he comes across as a pretty damn terrible father/husband/work colleague), you can't help but admire his incredible energy and drive, his prodigious musical talent, and his refusal to ever let life beat him down.The sparing use of beautiful and rather poetic animation works very well, and Jay Bulger himself refrains from including himself too much in the finished film - and when he does take centre stage for a moment, it's an extraordinary (and violent!) moment.By the way - Jay, if you're reading this, I'm sorry people shouted at you after the screening. Perhaps, given the subject matter, it's only appropriate that the whole thing ended in acrimony. And hats off to you for getting a cold, reserved audience of Brits so fired up and vocal. Great work - loved the film.