Documentaries
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19 titles
- StarsKeith DavidKatharine PhillipsTom HanksA seven-part series focusing on the many ways in which the Second World War impacted the lives of American families.
- 1985– 1h 28mTV-147.2 (179)TV EpisodeDirectorMorgan NevilleStarsRoy AcuffTony BennettTommy BishopThe authoritative documentary on Country Music's most influential figure.
- DirectorHerb E. SmithStarsRalph StanleyJunior BrownThe Clinch Mountain BoysFor over 50 years, Ralph Stanley's banjo playing, haunting tenor voice and tradition-inspired repertoire have epitomized old time bluegrass music. This documentary explores Stanley's musical roots in the Clinch Mountains of Virginia, the early days of The Stanley Brothers, and Ralph's decision to continue on after the untimely death of brother Carter.
- DirectorD.A. PennebakerStarsBob DylanAlbert GrossmanBob NeuwirthDocumentary covering Bob Dylan's 1965 tour of England, which includes appearances by Joan Baez and Donovan.
- 1997– 1h 15m7.6 (105)TV EpisodeDirectorDavid HeffernanStarsDorothy AshbyShirley BrewerBen BridgesMusicians, producers, family, colleagues and the artist himself look back on the making of Stevie Wonders's classic album "Song In the Key of Life".
- DirectorRobert ElfstromStarsJohnny CashJune Carter CashAnita CarterA fly on the wall account that follows the near legendary singer on tour in the US during the late sixties. Crammed with superb music footage the film also takes time out to relax with the man behind the most famous voice in Country music.
- DirectorEmmanuel GetazStarsJohnny CashBob WoottonDave RoweThe late Johnny Cash was one of the most influential figures in American music in the post war period. He managed to combine elements of folk, rock 'n' roll and country, which together with his distinctive voice and guitar style, created an instantly recognisable sound. From his wild early days, fuelled by drink and drugs, through to his later years as a living legend and one of music's elder statesmen he was always a dominant figure. 1994 was to prove to be Cash's only appearance at the Montreux Festival. The "Man In Black" had just released his acclaimed American Recordings album and his European tour took in Montreux on July 5. This classic concert features a number of tracks from his new album coupled with favourites from across his career including Folsom Prison Blues, I Walk The Line, Ghost Riders In The Sky, Orange Blossom Special and San Quentin. An added bonus is the guest appearance of his wife June Carter Cash on two tracks. Caught at one of the high points of his distinguished career this is truly Johnny Cash at his best.
- DirectorNicholas WebsterStarsJohnny CashThe WesternairesJohnny Cash guides us through the history of the great American railways, while performing some of his most famous train-related songs.
- 20071h 23mNot Rated8.1 (444)TV MovieDirectorMurray LernerStarsBob DylanJoan BaezThe Freedom SingersAn unvarnished chronicle of Bob Dylan's metamorphosis from folk to rock musician via appearances at the Newport Folk Festival between 1963 and 1965.
- DirectorAndrew SoltStarsGary BuseyHank BallardChuck BerryThis volume of the series explores the roots of Rock 'n' Roll as a musical genre.
- DirectorBud FriedgenStarsHank BallardMilton BerleChuck BerryRock and Roll goes mainstream and becomes popular with white teenagers and faces opposition, particularly from older adults who see it as a corrupting influence.
- 19951h7.6 (143)TV EpisodeDirectorAndrew SoltStarsAlan AldridgePeter AsherThe Beach BoysIn the 1960s, music artists from Great Britain like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who become popular in the United States.
- DirectorSusan SteinbergStarsSteve AllenAl AronowitzJoan BaezThis episode examines the expanding electric music scene.
- StarsBonoJames BrownRuth BrownThis episode explores the development of Soul with in the Rock 'n' Roll genre.
- DirectorObie BenzStarsJoan BaezBonoGary BuseyThe peace-loving counter culture produces the phenomenon of Woodstock.
- DirectorMarc SachnoffStarsDuane AllmanGregg AllmanJeffrey BaxterLes Paul's invention of the electric guitar paved the way for later Rock 'n' Roll guitar heroes.
- 19951h7.6 (145)TV EpisodeStarsDuane AllmanGregg AllmanJeffrey BaxterThis episode reviews the development of Rock 'n' Roll music of the 1970s.
- DirectorTed HaimesStarsBonoDavid BowieGerald Casale'Punk' Strips Music To Its Angry Roots BYLINE: EDWARD GUTHMANN, Chronicle Staff Critic 4 Star Rating PUNK: Documentary. With Johnny Rotten, Iggy Pop, Elvis Costello, David Bowie, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Chrissie Hynde, Joe Strummer and Joey Ramone. Directed, Written and Produced by Ted Haimes. (Not rated. 68 minutes. At the Red Vic Movie House through June 18.) ------------------------------------------------------------- If you thought you'd heard the last word on punk, or believed -- as I did -- that Penelope Spheeris' 1981 film ''The Decline of Western Civilization'' was the definitive punk documentary, you were wrong. Say hello to ''Punk'' , a smart, bracing, thoroughly enjoyable film that recalls the punk movement in England and the United States, pinpoints its roots and legacy, and interviews all the players who defined the genre. Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols is on board, along with Joe Strummer of the Clash, Elvis Costello (who says he never identified with punk), Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, Joey Ramone of the Ramones and Malcolm McLaren, the effete London haberdasher who created the Sex Pistols. Unlike ''The Decline of Western Civilization,'' which offered an insider's look at the L.A. punk culture at the time it was happening and was followed by a 1988 sequel, ''Punk'' benefits from hindsight -- from a wisdom and insight that weren't possible when mosh pits, body slams and screaming bloody outrage were still cutting-edge. ''It was a great time because it was so spontaneous and pure,'' says wraithlike poet Patti Smith, whose mid-'70s success slightly predated punk. Adds John Doe of the Los Angeles band X: ''It was reclaiming rock 'n' roll to a simple message -- and wasn't a big, bloated, corporate, limousine, cocaine- ridden bunch of s--.'' Directed and written by Ted Haimes, and executive-produced by Quincy Jones and Andrew Solt (''This Is Elvis,'' ''Imagine''), ''Punk'' benefits from an amazing trove of film clips -- Costello's first TV appearance, David Byrne and the Talking Heads in 1975 -- and wisely lets the material speak for itself instead of imposing an overlay of critical analysis. The participants do the interpreting in ''Punk,'' whether it's Bono of U2 praising Smith for her blend of the profane and the sacred; Strummer admitting that the Clash ripped off its sound, as did most Brit punk bands, from the Ramones; or guitarist Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols recalling, ''I couldn't play and Johnny Rotten couldn't sing and it created this horrible noise.'' Horrible noise, perhaps, but the energy and fury that fueled it were inescapable and demanded a voice. Once that rage was diluted and turned into New Wave, Rotten argues, the whole point of punk was destroyed. ''(New Wave) was a complete corruption of everything,'' he says. ''Everybody tried to be nice all over again. Don't be nice; it's the kiss of death.'' We also learn that the Sex Pistols modeled their anarchistic, screw-off style after the glam-rock New York Dolls. Contrary to the standard media perception, ''Punk'' insists, the movement wasn't born in Britain but had its antecedents in such American performers as Iggy Pop, MC5 and the Velvet Underground and actually took form at CBGB, a dumpy biker bar in Manhattan's Bowery. ''Punk'' also demonstrates how the grunge rock of the early '90s -- Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day -- can be directly traced to the punk stylists of the '70s. So much for the notion that punk was a brief aberration that existed in a vacuum -- something that ended with Sid Vicious' death rattle. ''Punk'' celebrates the blasting energy of its subject, but also demonstrates the costs of unbridled rage and self-abuse. When Kurt Cobain died at 27, Iggy Pop says, ''it brought home to me, as many things have in my maturity, that this is a dangerous business -- dangerous for the practitioners.''
- StarsMichael BlakeyBonoDavid BowieIn the 1980s and 90s, rock n' roll influences new genres of music such as Hip Hop, New Wave, and Grunge. Music videos also have an impact.