Great movie, but I'm really bummed that the DVD didn't include any complete performances. I read somewhere that royalties (none of which went to the Ochs estate) took up 80% of the cost of producing this documentary, so that would explain the paucity of bonus materials. I imagine Phil is somewhere laughing and writing a song about the irony of corporations steadfastly protecting their right to make a buck off a dead protest singer.
My wife & I saw the movie tonight at the Museum of Fine Art Houston. A good film, lots of Ochs performance videos, newsreels to set the time, and interviews with contemporaries. Well worth the $6 ticket.
To me, Ochs was the ultimate "protest" singer. More so than Dylan (who plays a big part in the movie and was a better song writer), or anybody else. "Draft Dodger Rag" is an alltime favorite of mine.
PS - Go see Todd Sniders "Thin Wild Mercury" here on YouTube, about Ochs.
I have to disagree with the fellow who claims that Ochs' leftwing persona was his "career" and not "in his heart." That statement essentially equates Phil's public face with a towering lie. Yes, I'm sure Phil appreciated certain virtues in John Wayne and Elvis Presley... affections not shared by most fast-talking radicals of the era. But it is preposterous to conclude his heart did not accompany his embrace of Victor Jarra, Salvador Allende, the anti Vietnam movement, etc...
@1stringbroke I think the implication was that the formative influences on Ochs were images like John Wayne and Gary Cooper, and that he didn't grow up thinking "I'm going to be a left-wing revolutionary" but rather "I'm going to be the good guy standing against all odds to fight injustice." The new left politics of the '60's just happened to be the context in which he ended up doing that.
@Seasass Perhaps the implication was as innocent as you say. But the comment appears to echo the opinion of Ochs' friend Andy Wickham. In the Ochs bio "Death Of A Rebel" Wickham insists Ochs was a closet conservative. I appreciate the caution of your approach. The DVD release is scheduled for July... I reckon we'll see the full context then.
@1stringbroke (*gulp*) turns out that guy WAS Wickham :) Didn't go so far as to say Ochs was a closet conservative, though--at least, not in the footage that made it into the film.
Has any one seen this film I"m not crazy about the trailer, I had heard Sheen Penn wanted to do a film about Phil years ago,I hope they got It right .
I don't think it is about being overshadowed by anyone. He was an awesome singer/songwriter. Clearly, there is a lot of egotism in his music so what the guy said about him taking the blows personally seems apt to me. He is up there among the best.
Hope film reflects what Phil wrote in his "Bound For Glory" song: "Now they sing out his praises on every distant shore, but so few remember what he was fighting for. Why sing the songs and forget about the aim? He wrote them for a reason, why not sing them for the same?"
@skywalker541 He was singing about Woody Guthrie (who wrote autobiographical book that was also titled "Bound For Glory" in early 1940s) in his "Bound For Glory" song.
@tulifuli Well I've always thought that his music reflected "what was in his heart" but the remark in the trailer implied that his music reflected his social, political and moral leanings but in "his heart' he saw himself as the likes of John Wayne - which exemplifies more of what is wrong with our culture. Yet, when you think about it, there's not a conflict. He knew that our "democratic process" was corrupted, failing us, frustrating us, making us wish we could kick some ass like John Wayne.
Absolutely loved this movie. However I did NOT like how they portraid Dylan.
erykahbadu172 1 month ago
Great trailer I cannot wait to get the DVD. Thank you for posting!
laneese1970 3 months ago
I saw Phil back in 1968. Listened to his songs for many, many hours and I will always love Phil. May he rest in peace..................
booper521 6 months ago
Is this easy to find? the dvd I mean
allenshepard 7 months ago
Great movie, but I'm really bummed that the DVD didn't include any complete performances. I read somewhere that royalties (none of which went to the Ochs estate) took up 80% of the cost of producing this documentary, so that would explain the paucity of bonus materials. I imagine Phil is somewhere laughing and writing a song about the irony of corporations steadfastly protecting their right to make a buck off a dead protest singer.
Seasass 7 months ago
DVD is available--just got mine!
Seasass 7 months ago
My wife & I saw the movie tonight at the Museum of Fine Art Houston. A good film, lots of Ochs performance videos, newsreels to set the time, and interviews with contemporaries. Well worth the $6 ticket.
To me, Ochs was the ultimate "protest" singer. More so than Dylan (who plays a big part in the movie and was a better song writer), or anybody else. "Draft Dodger Rag" is an alltime favorite of mine.
PS - Go see Todd Sniders "Thin Wild Mercury" here on YouTube, about Ochs.
SteveK77536 8 months ago
Available on DVD July, 2011.
LV89101 8 months ago
Everyone thinks they know Phil. I know Phil.
11xzxzxz 9 months ago
I have to disagree with the fellow who claims that Ochs' leftwing persona was his "career" and not "in his heart." That statement essentially equates Phil's public face with a towering lie. Yes, I'm sure Phil appreciated certain virtues in John Wayne and Elvis Presley... affections not shared by most fast-talking radicals of the era. But it is preposterous to conclude his heart did not accompany his embrace of Victor Jarra, Salvador Allende, the anti Vietnam movement, etc...
1stringbroke 9 months ago
@1stringbroke I think the implication was that the formative influences on Ochs were images like John Wayne and Gary Cooper, and that he didn't grow up thinking "I'm going to be a left-wing revolutionary" but rather "I'm going to be the good guy standing against all odds to fight injustice." The new left politics of the '60's just happened to be the context in which he ended up doing that.
Seasass 9 months ago
@Seasass Perhaps the implication was as innocent as you say. But the comment appears to echo the opinion of Ochs' friend Andy Wickham. In the Ochs bio "Death Of A Rebel" Wickham insists Ochs was a closet conservative. I appreciate the caution of your approach. The DVD release is scheduled for July... I reckon we'll see the full context then.
1stringbroke 9 months ago
@1stringbroke Thanks--I was wondering why Netflix didn't have it yet! Good to know when to expect it.
Seasass 9 months ago
@1stringbroke (*gulp*) turns out that guy WAS Wickham :) Didn't go so far as to say Ochs was a closet conservative, though--at least, not in the footage that made it into the film.
Seasass 7 months ago
Has any one seen this film I"m not crazy about the trailer, I had heard Sheen Penn wanted to do a film about Phil years ago,I hope they got It right .
TheGB1950 1 year ago
We'll be there--I love his passion and intellect.
ShellyQ37 1 year ago
I am so in line to see this movie! Phil Ochs was the best - a great man, and a great talent, who left us way too soon
jan4insight 1 year ago
I am so in line to see this movie when it comes to my backwater! Phil Ochs was the best - a great man, and great talent, who left us far too early.
jan4insight 1 year ago
I don't think it is about being overshadowed by anyone. He was an awesome singer/songwriter. Clearly, there is a lot of egotism in his music so what the guy said about him taking the blows personally seems apt to me. He is up there among the best.
leemdynamo 1 year ago
Hope film reflects what Phil wrote in his "Bound For Glory" song: "Now they sing out his praises on every distant shore, but so few remember what he was fighting for. Why sing the songs and forget about the aim? He wrote them for a reason, why not sing them for the same?"
protestfolk 1 year ago 11
@protestfolk Just curious if you know who he was singing about?
skywalker541 1 year ago
@skywalker541 He was singing about Woody Guthrie (who wrote autobiographical book that was also titled "Bound For Glory" in early 1940s) in his "Bound For Glory" song.
protestfolk 1 year ago
@protestfolk Hell, yeah! It's sad how many people know this land is your land but have no idea who Woody Guthrie was.
skywalker541 1 year ago
I can't wait too. He unfortunately was overshadowed in popularity by Dylan. I want to hear more about "what was in his heart".
kazywaz 1 year ago
@kazywaz Listen to his music and you will find out more about what was in his heart than what some film maker thinks was there.
tulifuli 1 year ago
@tulifuli Well I've always thought that his music reflected "what was in his heart" but the remark in the trailer implied that his music reflected his social, political and moral leanings but in "his heart' he saw himself as the likes of John Wayne - which exemplifies more of what is wrong with our culture. Yet, when you think about it, there's not a conflict. He knew that our "democratic process" was corrupted, failing us, frustrating us, making us wish we could kick some ass like John Wayne.
kazywaz 1 year ago 3
I'm so excited about this!!!
HawkAndAHandsaw012 1 year ago
Yes!
tsokay 1 year ago
Can't wait!
petey1892 1 year ago 2