metalrox_2000
There is a line in the movie from a former FBI agent. He said "If Lennon had just kept his mouth shut, and made his music, there never would have been a problem." And there is the fundamental issue. Here was John Lennon, who had fame and fortune as a member of the Beatles. Does he continue to write disposable pop tunes, or does he use song to uncover some of the injustice in the world? Thankfully for us, he chose the later.John Lennon used his platform for the greatest good. He gave a voice to those who were shunned. He allowed Bobby Seale of the Black Panthers to have his say, and refute how the news media had portrayed him. Lennon was a man of peace, which made him a threat to men like Richard Nixon, who dedicated their lives to war.The film goes into great depth Lennon and his views, as well as the infamous fight by the Nixon Administration to deport Lennon as an "undesirable alien" simply because he spoke out. The film features interviews with both Yoko and the attorney who fought the deportation and won.The documentary focuses heavily on his activism, and reveals many details not generally known, even to the most hard core fans. The film makes great use of home movies and news clips as well.One of the strongest uses of news clips comes at the end. The public display that went on for John Lennon was unmatched by anyone up to or since then. The raw emotions of the fans gathered for the tribute to him was grim, it was real, and it brought home how beloved John Lennon was to a people tired of war.John Lennon isn't simply portrayed as a musician turned social activist. He's not portrayed as a superhero either. He's portrayed as a man who looked upon the world, and asked why. Why must there be so much death and destruction? And looking at the state of affairs in the world now, we really could use John Lennon.
Stephen
As a lifelong Beatle fan, who grew up listening to the Beatles and John Lennon, the film made me feel that John was still with us.This film is a must see for any Beatle and/or Lennon fan. It is also a must see for younger generations who really wanted to know what the 1960s was all about and see the cultural shift that was taking place throughout the world.One of the executive producers was an acquaintance of mine. At the time that I first saw the movie, I did not know that this acquaintance was an executive producer. I saw his name in the credits, and also a Thanks acknowledgment to him. I had wondered if it was the same Steven Rothenberg that I met when I was a freshman at Stanford. He was a senior that lived down the hall in the same dormitory where I stayed. Sadly, I have since learned that Steve passed away in 2009. I remember him as a very bright, kind, humble, creative and funny guy. He was always approachable, always cheerful, and he tolerated us squirrelly freshman.
Evan Queitsch
As unpopular as this comment will be, this film is a total sham. It's so one sided and false that it would be funny if so many people didn't buy into it. John Lennon was a fascist who supported the communist Russian, Chinese and North Vietnamese governments through personal and band proceeds from their shows. His support of the guerrilla movement of the vicious Black Panther's is covered but oddly enough it is glorified. Let's remember that the Black Panther's were one of the largest violent anti American groups during that time period. They shot, stabbed and beat people for disagreeing with their views and bombed businesses and government buildings. No surprises here, this is to be expected out of Hollywood. I just wish that more of our young people had the benefit of the truth of historic record instead of relying on these kinds of factual inaccuracies to guide their thought process.
moonbus69
I cannot thank the directors/producers of this film enough. Using much classic film and TV footage (some possibly never seen widely before), interviews both old and new, with his music expertly mixed in, this movie is a 'must see' for even casual John Lennon and Beatles fans. It is also an intimate look at John and Yoko as a couple and of their projects together.This is a very heart-felt and well thought out memorial, and an inspiration for anyone working toward a more sane and peaceful reality/world. The film and extras should be required viewing in high school or college history, social studies, and ethics classes. Many viewpoints are presented from the wide variety of people interviewed for this documentary. Anyone wanting to understand the passion and magic of John Lennon, and the wild ride that was the USA from the late Sixties through early Seventies would find something very worthwhile in this moving film. A documentary that is definitely NOT boring, and one to watch often!
AD
