How did he get his songs recorded?
Where did he live?
How did he live after getting recorded?
So many gaps in this movie.
14 Reviews
Gaps
glenncvaughn28 December 2019
Pleasant documentary
Calicodreamin2 July 2019
What I like about this Netflix series of documents is that they are short and sweet, you don't have to invest that much time in them and come out with a little bit of knowledge.
I had personally never heard of Robert Johnson before watching this and it was definitely interesting to learn a bit about his life and how influential his music was. I would have liked to gone deeper into his supposed deal with the devil, but maybe that's all there is.
I had personally never heard of Robert Johnson before watching this and it was definitely interesting to learn a bit about his life and how influential his music was. I would have liked to gone deeper into his supposed deal with the devil, but maybe that's all there is.
Robert Johnson revealed
enrightco1 May 2019
Finally a documentary by the Zybalists about Robert Johnson, a huge contributor to the blues. Only 2 photos of him exist. One of the great fathers of blues, Johnson heavily influenced the Stones, Hendrix, Eric Clapton and many others. Technically very good example of surround sound 5.1.
The story of Robert Johnson is intriguing but this could have been a 10 minute documentary
AdamJACox8 September 2021
The story of Robert Johnson is undoubtedly a fascinating one, It's incredible the impact he had on the music industry and I would absolutely recommend watching this or doing your own research.
The biggest problem is that (as the documentary self confesses) not a lot is known about the life of Robert Johnson and as such it feels like there is very little 'meat on the bone' for a documentary. (In short he couldn't play guitar, disappears for over a year and then comes back a phenomenon, before passing on way too soon).
The biggest problem is that (as the documentary self confesses) not a lot is known about the life of Robert Johnson and as such it feels like there is very little 'meat on the bone' for a documentary. (In short he couldn't play guitar, disappears for over a year and then comes back a phenomenon, before passing on way too soon).
Devil Take The Foremost
Lejink30 August 2022
I'm not a blues purist myself. I tend to like them distilled through the likes of the Stones, Clapton, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and others but I know just enough to be curious about the brief life and times of Robert Johnson, the great American blues guitarist and singer and founding member of the legendary "27" club, being the shared age at which a number of highly prominent musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, Any Winehouse and others have died ever since Johnson's original demise.
Ideally, I suppose this rather brief Netflix documentary could have been edited down still more to 27 minutes to further emphasise the point but I guess that would have been taking things a bit too far, although so little is known about Johnson's life that I guess it could actually have been done in half the time.
Here, the little that is known about him, is fleshed out with animations and of course lots and lots of people talking about him. The great myth or legend, depending on your viewpoint about Johnson, is the whole deal about him selling his soul to the devil at the crossroads. More credible perhaps is that he went away and was taught by a master guitarist who allegedly said to him that the best place to rehearse and practice was in a graveyard at midnight.
Although it's clear there isn't much meat to the bone so far as his life story is concerned, it was still interesting to learn that he had two significant relationships in his life with very young women both of which were nipped in the bud we are told by over-protective family members who couldn't handle the fact that Robert made his living by playing what they called the devil's music, a.k.a. The blues. He did have a child by his second girlfriend (his first girlfriend also died tragically in childbirth before he could reach her) although the boy only had one memory of ever seeing his father and that only when he was being turned away by the boy's great grandfather on a surprise visit. The most interesting interviewees in the film I thought were of his only son and two subsequent grandsons, one of whom styles himself as a latter-day blues singer.
It really is a pity that there is no video footage available of the man himself in action but at least there is his legacy of 29 individual recordings and the bitter-sweet story is told that the legendary music historian and producer John Hammond had lined Johnson up to play in a special concert at New York's Carnegie Hall only to learn of course that Johnson had died some months before.
Unsurprisingly, I detected more than a hint of hyperbole and yarn-spinning by some of the contributors here, which I suppose is only to be expected. Nevertheless I found this introduction to one of the legendary figures of 20th Century music to be an informative and entertaining mini-documentary which may yet lead me down my own crossroads to take in some of Johnson's music.
Ideally, I suppose this rather brief Netflix documentary could have been edited down still more to 27 minutes to further emphasise the point but I guess that would have been taking things a bit too far, although so little is known about Johnson's life that I guess it could actually have been done in half the time.
Here, the little that is known about him, is fleshed out with animations and of course lots and lots of people talking about him. The great myth or legend, depending on your viewpoint about Johnson, is the whole deal about him selling his soul to the devil at the crossroads. More credible perhaps is that he went away and was taught by a master guitarist who allegedly said to him that the best place to rehearse and practice was in a graveyard at midnight.
Although it's clear there isn't much meat to the bone so far as his life story is concerned, it was still interesting to learn that he had two significant relationships in his life with very young women both of which were nipped in the bud we are told by over-protective family members who couldn't handle the fact that Robert made his living by playing what they called the devil's music, a.k.a. The blues. He did have a child by his second girlfriend (his first girlfriend also died tragically in childbirth before he could reach her) although the boy only had one memory of ever seeing his father and that only when he was being turned away by the boy's great grandfather on a surprise visit. The most interesting interviewees in the film I thought were of his only son and two subsequent grandsons, one of whom styles himself as a latter-day blues singer.
It really is a pity that there is no video footage available of the man himself in action but at least there is his legacy of 29 individual recordings and the bitter-sweet story is told that the legendary music historian and producer John Hammond had lined Johnson up to play in a special concert at New York's Carnegie Hall only to learn of course that Johnson had died some months before.
Unsurprisingly, I detected more than a hint of hyperbole and yarn-spinning by some of the contributors here, which I suppose is only to be expected. Nevertheless I found this introduction to one of the legendary figures of 20th Century music to be an informative and entertaining mini-documentary which may yet lead me down my own crossroads to take in some of Johnson's music.
A story everyone should know...
Austin73971 May 2019
Was slightly hesitant to watch this documentary because I'm not extremely familiar with Blues history but then I thought that's even more of a reason to watch and I'm so glad I did. Just hearing the trials and tribulations Johnson went through lends a higher amount of respect to his music and himself as a person than can even be imagined. What a fantastic musician and also adds more fuel to the fire for all of you conspiracy theory folks out there. A MUST WATCH!
everyone should know about Robert Johnson
lee_eisenberg6 May 2019
It's a safe bet that all blues fans know who Robert Johnson was. Netflix's "ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads" looks at Johnson's life and work. Featuring interviews with Keb' Mo', Keith Richards, and even Johnson's grandson, it makes clear that Johnson was one of the greatest musicians of all time. Of course, it also notes the historical context (Johnson grew up in the deep south during the most racist period in our country's history). It's so sad that Johnson's life got cut short; I have no doubt that he would've continued making great music.
Basically, whether or not you're a blues fan, you gotta see this documentary. Pretty much all music in the US has its roots in the blues, and you owe it to yourself to hear Robert Johnson.
Basically, whether or not you're a blues fan, you gotta see this documentary. Pretty much all music in the US has its roots in the blues, and you owe it to yourself to hear Robert Johnson.
The Man, The Myth, The Legend: Robert Johnson
chriscarlisle2528 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This was a very well-made documentary that is simple to understand and get straight to the point. I enjoyed learning more about the legend that is Robert Johnson. You learn about how he influenced music as a whole and about his short life. He lived and died in obscurity and yet most musicians that we know were somehow influenced by him. Blues, rock and roll, Pop and many other musical genres are somehow inspired by this man Robert Johnson. I really find the cultural and historical side of this documentary to be interesting as well because you learn about the mindset of people back in those times (early 1900s). The myths about Robert Johnson meeting the devil at the crossroads is something that captivates people and adds a layer of mystique to the man. I also found the part that goes over the 27 Club ( talented musicians who died at the age of 27 just like Robert Johnson: Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse to name a few) interesting as well. The documentary is very informal and entertaining to watch, and the use of animations adds to the story. Very well made.
I had more fun watching...
rageinblack17 December 2020
I had more fun watching the random documentaries about this case on youtube years ago. This documentary kinda kills the supernatural mystery of the story, I mean not exactly kills, but puts very little emphasis on the straordinariety of the story, which is what fascinates me most in the first place, and focus instead on a more mundane explanation for it all.
"...he wanted to make his living with the blues."
classicsoncall9 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The name of Robert Johnson will always come up in any serious discussion of blues music. His name has become more legendary with the passage of time, and this short documentary helps put Johnson's life and times in perspective relative to his music. What virtually everyone knows about Johnson, if you know about him at all, is that his guitar prowess is often attributed to making a deal with the devil at a crossroads in his home town of Hazlehurst, Mississippi. What strikes me as extraordinary is how many people interviewed in this documentary are willing to give the myth an element of credibility, like yeah, maybe Johnson did make a pact with Satan in order to elevate his music from mediocre to rising head and shoulders above the blues musicians of his day, the era of the 1920's and 30's. Johnson certainly contributed to that aura of mystery by practicing his guitar at midnight in a cemetery with mentor Ike Zimmerman, and penning songs with titles like 'Hellhound on My Trail', 'Me and the Devil Blues', and 'Cross Road Blues'.
Musicians offering their testimonials to Johnson in this doc include Keb' Mo', Taj Mahal, Keith Richards and Eric Clapton. I've heard Richards offer tribute to Johnson in other documentaries, so I almost expected him to show up here. A fine companion piece to this one I would recommend is "Eric Clapton: Sessions for Robert J", a tribute recorded over a period of six months in four separate sessions in Checkendon, England, Irving and Dallas, Texas, and Santa Monica, California back in 2004.
Personally, I recognize the influence of Robert Johnson in the development of the Mississippi Delta Blues style, and his impact on noted guitarists like Clapton, Richards and Jimi Hendrix, but I have a hard time listening to his own recordings. His songs are sparse, with just his guitar and voice with no accompaniment. His recordings, collected on a two disc set from Sony/Columbia Legacy, represent all of his recorded work, containing all 29 songs and 12 alternate takes. But me, I'm just a simple music lover who can't relate to the nuance that these great musicians hear when they listen to a legendary player like Johnson. Eric Clapton has called him "the most important blues singer that ever lived", so who am I to contradict Clapton?
Musicians offering their testimonials to Johnson in this doc include Keb' Mo', Taj Mahal, Keith Richards and Eric Clapton. I've heard Richards offer tribute to Johnson in other documentaries, so I almost expected him to show up here. A fine companion piece to this one I would recommend is "Eric Clapton: Sessions for Robert J", a tribute recorded over a period of six months in four separate sessions in Checkendon, England, Irving and Dallas, Texas, and Santa Monica, California back in 2004.
Personally, I recognize the influence of Robert Johnson in the development of the Mississippi Delta Blues style, and his impact on noted guitarists like Clapton, Richards and Jimi Hendrix, but I have a hard time listening to his own recordings. His songs are sparse, with just his guitar and voice with no accompaniment. His recordings, collected on a two disc set from Sony/Columbia Legacy, represent all of his recorded work, containing all 29 songs and 12 alternate takes. But me, I'm just a simple music lover who can't relate to the nuance that these great musicians hear when they listen to a legendary player like Johnson. Eric Clapton has called him "the most important blues singer that ever lived", so who am I to contradict Clapton?
A compelling introductory documentary on the life of Delta blues legend Robert John
Sasha_Lauren9 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Remastered: Devil at the Crossroads, A Robert Johnson Story (Netflix)
Clocking in at forty-eight minutes, there are more substantive documentaries about legendary Delta bluesman Robert Johnson, which I plan to see now that this one whet my interest to learn more about his life.
Born in 1911 or 1912 in Hazelhurst, Mississippi, Johnson lived through broken homes, abuse, and abandonment during a hellish time for blacks in the American south when racism raged, lynchings were common, and doing hard labor on a plantation was his expected future.
Robert rebelled and escaped through music. Since little is known about his life, the producers aimed to piece together Johnson's story through facts, a historical perspective of time and place, his lyrics, and interviews, including musicians who were influenced by him, his grandson, and son who only met his father twice.
Traveling from town to town, Johnson played a range of music in juke joints and on streetcorners. He lost two of his young loves. One died along with their baby in childbirth, and he was forbidden to see the other and his son because her family said he played "that devil's music."
He revered musicians Son House and Willie Brown, but in clubs they mocked him as a boy who played bad guitar.
Johnson, who had dreams of fame, disappeared to hone his craft. He played at night in a cemetery with his mentor Ike Zimmerman. They met in the graveyard because Zimmerman said no one there complains at the sounds they make. During that year of hard work, Johnson transformed from a bad player to a master, rising far above his contemporaries.
Fueled by preachers who called the blues the devil's music, (because it kept the men from church), stories of hoodoo, the cemetary sessions, his lyrics in Cross Road Blues, and it seems a bunch of jealous musicians, a Faustian myth was created that Robert Johnson made a deal with the devil at a crossroads in his home town to become such a great musician.
He recorded 29 songs between 1936 and 1937. In 1938 record producer John Hammond sought Johnson out for a concert at Carnegie Hall called "From Spirituals to Swing." When Hammond learned that Johnson had died, (possibly from poisoned whisky), he set up a gramophone on the Carnegie stage and played two of his songs. The crowd went wild. In the 50s and 60s, white kids bought up old 78s and rediscovered Robert Johnson's music. The resurgence of his songs influenced generations of top musicians.
Come for the story, stay for the music. I recommend this documentary as a starter film about the great bluesman. I'm looking forward to seeing the other ones. I will write about them too.
Clocking in at forty-eight minutes, there are more substantive documentaries about legendary Delta bluesman Robert Johnson, which I plan to see now that this one whet my interest to learn more about his life.
Born in 1911 or 1912 in Hazelhurst, Mississippi, Johnson lived through broken homes, abuse, and abandonment during a hellish time for blacks in the American south when racism raged, lynchings were common, and doing hard labor on a plantation was his expected future.
Robert rebelled and escaped through music. Since little is known about his life, the producers aimed to piece together Johnson's story through facts, a historical perspective of time and place, his lyrics, and interviews, including musicians who were influenced by him, his grandson, and son who only met his father twice.
Traveling from town to town, Johnson played a range of music in juke joints and on streetcorners. He lost two of his young loves. One died along with their baby in childbirth, and he was forbidden to see the other and his son because her family said he played "that devil's music."
He revered musicians Son House and Willie Brown, but in clubs they mocked him as a boy who played bad guitar.
Johnson, who had dreams of fame, disappeared to hone his craft. He played at night in a cemetery with his mentor Ike Zimmerman. They met in the graveyard because Zimmerman said no one there complains at the sounds they make. During that year of hard work, Johnson transformed from a bad player to a master, rising far above his contemporaries.
Fueled by preachers who called the blues the devil's music, (because it kept the men from church), stories of hoodoo, the cemetary sessions, his lyrics in Cross Road Blues, and it seems a bunch of jealous musicians, a Faustian myth was created that Robert Johnson made a deal with the devil at a crossroads in his home town to become such a great musician.
He recorded 29 songs between 1936 and 1937. In 1938 record producer John Hammond sought Johnson out for a concert at Carnegie Hall called "From Spirituals to Swing." When Hammond learned that Johnson had died, (possibly from poisoned whisky), he set up a gramophone on the Carnegie stage and played two of his songs. The crowd went wild. In the 50s and 60s, white kids bought up old 78s and rediscovered Robert Johnson's music. The resurgence of his songs influenced generations of top musicians.
Come for the story, stay for the music. I recommend this documentary as a starter film about the great bluesman. I'm looking forward to seeing the other ones. I will write about them too.
A Great Film about Robert Johnson
royhectorkabanlit28 May 2019
A comprehensive history of Blues Legend Robert Johnson, at least based on the limited information about him. Johnson was a legendary and innovative Guitarist who had a huge influence in modern music as we know it today. A must see if you are a fan of music, or of history in general.
Supernatural did it BETTER
JustinPaul1110 May 2019
Huh? I learned almost nothing....
mcjensen-0592423 September 2021
First off, there's not enough information known to make a documentary about this musician. Either that or the makers of this film just didn't incorporate it into the film. They talked more about other musicians than Robert Johnson. We hardly heard any of his music at all. And all the nonsense about selling his soul to the devil is nothing but trite drivel. Devil music lol gimme a break man. Some good footage of the impoverished area where he grew up and black and white footage from the 50's but mostly this was a bunch of unknown people pontificating about things they really don't know much about and musicians playing and singing quite poorly. I'm sure it's an interesting story but the way this documentary presented what they had was embarrassingly uninspired and insipid. Not much point to this. I'd recommend finding a book in print if one exists to get the facts. I don't know if one exists because honestly the film didn't pique my interest enough to dig further into his career. The influence he had on Eric Clapton, Bonnie Rait, Keith Richards and Bob Dylan was mildly interesting towards the end. The best footage in the movie was actually a clip from Led Zeppelin, and when the movie isn't about Led Zeppelin, that should tell you about the failed effectiveness of portraying Robert Johnson's career. The whole 27 Club bit at the end was just filler that most people have seen in a hundred other musical documentaries. Including Amy Winehouse in with all those legendary musicians was laughable. Stacked up against all of those others she doesn't amount to thimble of spit. Anyway, it's a very dull and unfocused effort. The animation was awful.
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