No. 4 (1966) User Reviews

Despite the frequent naked butts, I was very bored of Yoko Ono's No. 4

[tavm · 2/10 · 13 August 2009]

Any of you guys and gals get aroused by the sight of a naked butt of your favorite actor or actress? Ever wanted to see a whole film of nothing but buttocks? Well, me neither though since this was a Yoko Ono short that ran six minutes on UbuWeb and the previous comments on IMDb made me curious, I knew I had to check this out. And all I can say is I was so utterly bored by the whole thing that I had to check the timer on the right bottom corner to make sure how much time was left running. The opening credits where every name of whose butts came on screen was being flashed was perhaps the most interesting part for me. Otherwise, I just didn't give a damn! So on that note, I'd only recommend No. 4 if you're very curious of the works of Yoko Ono.

Bottoms Before The Beatles...

[Dave Godin · 3/10 · 22 September 1999]

This bizarre film consisted of a seemingly endless parade of naked buttocks in motion, belonging to people who had been induced into a studio and be photographed from the rear as they walked a revolving platform, during which process they discussed various trivial matters with the studio operatives. Apparently several well-known people had let themselves be talked into appearing, who subsequently claimed they were "tricked" as they feared their backsides might be a source of eventual identification! The film was rejected by the UK film censors, but given a local "X" by the London Council, which enabled the film to be seen in London cinemas. I went to the opening night, and when the film had finished, a somewhat forlorn and intense Yoko was in the foyer canvassing public opinion. The film really was a one-joke item which went on for far too long, but compassion compelled me to give her a few words of encouragement, and I told her I thought it was "interesting" and, after the first hour, became quite surreal. I also added my view that the censors were stupid to reject such a harmless and innocent experimental film. This of course was all before she had met The Beatles and John Lennon, after which of course she no longer needed any compassion or encouragement from me. One UK critic writing about the film very wittily said that the tedium was only relieved by the occasional glimpse of scrotum! I think that about says it all!

Some guts with a bottom show.

[Shaolin_Apu · 6/10 · 20 November 2006]

A non pornographic exposition movie dedicated entirely to bottoms? Yes, and entirely means both "entirely" and "exclusively". What is good in this film is that, despite the content, Ono manages to maintain a pretty good taste all the way. The bottoms will be displayed entirely randomly with various movements belonging to that body part. What becomes even more interesting than the movie are the thoughts you'll get into your mind. You may naively pretend to like some displayed bottoms more than some other but anyway you need to watch them all trough to get the idea what the director has had in her mind while filming this item. Or those items, actually.

More than a film about bottoms

[nematode9 · 30 December 2001]

I did not really see the film as a joke, but more of a complete statement by Ono. Think about the pressure surrounding this film. This film is released only a few years after the first nudity in a hollywood production, and Ono had the guts to go up against everyone and show an entire film solely consisting of nudity. Her films seem to be a statement that our culture should not force us to hide from certain images or situations. What is wrong with looking at 365 'bottoms' for 80 minutes? Obviously Ono sees nothing wrong with it. Just like her other films, "Fly," "Smile," Ono shows us images from our world that we normally would not concentrate on for more than a few seconds. Yes, the film was boring at times, but its message did come across. As long as the viewer sits through the film, they should be able to overcome the cultural boundries society builds around us and see the images for what they were and learn from the images, thus to cease being disgusted by something so natural and simple as the moving backside of a human being.