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Movies / On DVD / No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
No Direction Home: Bob Dylan

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No Direction Home: Bob Dylan (2005)

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Reviews Counted:14

Fresh:13

Rotten:1

Average Rating:8/10

Runtime: 3 hrs 27 mins

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Synopsis: Spawning both politically charged folk ballads that came to embody the very spirit of the turbulent 1960s ("The Times They are a-Changin") and sprawling, stream-of-consciousness litanies that... Spawning both politically charged folk ballads that came to embody the very spirit of the turbulent 1960s ("The Times They are a-Changin") and sprawling, stream-of-consciousness litanies that irrevocably changed the face of rock music ("Like a Rolling Stone"), the years between 1961-1966 were inarguably the most artistically fertile for legendary singer/songwriter Bob Dylan. Director Martin Scorsese--who had previously worked with Dylan on the Band's farewell concert film THE LAST WALTZ (1978)--crafts an unprecedented exploration of the musician's creative process during this crucial five-year period with the historical PBS documentary event NO DIRECTION HOME. Part of PBS's AMERICAN MASTERS series, the film is the first ever film biography of the enigmatic, near-reclusive Dylan, who grants Scorsese his first full-length interview in 20 years for a startlingly intimate and endlessly revealing portrait of a true American icon. Bookended by his early days in the legendary Greenwich Village folk scene and the 1966 motorcycle accident that nearly claimed his life, Dylan's exclusive interview is supplemented with a wealth of archival footage that includes personal home movies from his childhood in Minnesota; unreleased interviews with colleagues Allen Ginsberg, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Maria Muldaur; and rare live performances of classics like "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Mr. Tambourine Man." In addition, the Bob Dylan Archives opens its extensive film, tape, and stills collection for never-before-seen concert and television appearances (including the infamous "electric" set at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival) and outtakes from D.A. Pennebaker's acclaimed 1967 documentary DON'T LOOK BACK. The result is a richly visual counterpart to Dylan's bestselling memoir CHRONICLES: VOLUME 1 that stands as a cinematic testament to the life and work of one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century. [More]

Starring: Joan Baez, Allen Ginsberg, Maria Muldaur, Pete Seeger

Starring: Joan Baez, Allen Ginsberg, Maria Muldaur, Pete Seeger, Mavis Staples

Director: Martin Scorsese

Director: Martin Scorsese

[See More Credits]

Reviews for No Direction Home: Bob Dylan

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1 - 14 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Ryan Cracknell

Framed by tons of rare footage, No Direction Home penetrates the soul of one of modern music's greatest icons - at least as much as Dylan will let us.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 08 2006 02:08 PM

Movie Views

splat

Gregory Weinkauf

A competent but fawning, focusless and utterly overlong tribute to a terribly mediocre entertainer who 'sings' like a bumblebee barfing. Bloated Boomers, feel free to be interred with a copy. Soon.

Full Review Source: | comment 10 Comments | Aug., 29 2006 11:59 PM

ÜberCiné

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4/4

Kurt Loder

Anyone with more than a superficial interest in rock music and its possibilities should either see this film or own it.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 07 2006 12:13 PM

MTV

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3.5/5

Ethan Alter

Robert Zimmerman achieved his dream of becoming a singer, but in doing so he surrendered the ability to define himself on his own terms.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 02 2005 03:15 AM

NYC Film Critic

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Thomas Delapa

Scorsese's superbly researched biography brings it all back home, confirming Dylan as the troubadour genius of sixties rock 'n' roll.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 21 2005 02:32 PM

Boulder Weekly

tomato
3/4

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Scorsese assembles an impressive amount of footage and interviews -- many more candid that anyone could feasibly expect.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 20 2005 12:20 PM

Combustible Celluloid

tomato
A-

Michael Szymanski

One of the best music documentaries ever of one of the most unusual musicians ever...

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 15 2005 10:19 AM

International Press Academy

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A+

Dennis Schwartz

Makes some cracks in Dylan's mystique without trying to do any more than letting his story come out as is.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 27 2005 08:58 PM

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Glenn Abel

As good as it gets in music documentaries.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 27 2005 06:17 PM

Hollywood Reporter

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David Yaffe

To narrate selected details from this journey from the Iron Range to Greenwich Village to Rock Star Babylon, we get generous, attention-span respecting clips of Dylan performances and reminiscences from carefully selected talking heads.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 23 2005 06:25 PM

Slate

tomato
4/4

Roger Ebert

Creates a portrait that is deep, sympathetic, perceptive and yet finally leaves Dylan shrouded in mystery, which is where he properly lives.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 21 2005 11:10 AM

Chicago Sun-Times

tomato
5/5

Bill Gibron

No Direction Home ...becomes a portal back in time, a chance to relive some of...the most exciting years in the history of politics, personality and music.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 20 2005 11:41 PM

DVDTalk.com

tomato
3.5/4

Peter Canavese

Fans will be positively enthralled at the well-preserved nuggets, and neophytes will understand the fuss over the musician and the man.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 18 2005 06:33 PM

Groucho Reviews

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Phil Gallo

A document that will satiate Dylan fans over repeated viewings and should bring naysayers into the Dylan fold.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 12 2005 12:13 PM

Variety

 
 
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