LIFE AND TIMES OF ALLEN GINSBERG , THE DVD DVD

He reads a lot of his idiosyncratic poems throughout the vid, and it doesn't put him in a box; this is him, Allen Ginsberg. Greatest American poet of the 20th Century, ya!

The extraordinary life and times of Allen Ginsberg are profiled in this straightforward tribute documentary. I can't recall gaining any new insights or knowledge of Ginsberg, *but* I had already done my homework on the Beats and all that when, like so many others, I was a fascinated teenager. What I did experience was again being made aware of how much Ginsgerg's life connected with and that it was better through his having been a part of it. Not only was he a Beat poet but a great muse to many, many artists. I dare say I find that aspect of his life the most interesting. America is better because Ginsberg lived. He was a peacemaker, an activist, and a really nice and lovable guy. This film serves as a solid introduction to the famous countercultural icon's story as it is told with ample footage and through many interviews with his many famous friends and admirers: Beck, Bono, Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Johnny Depp, Hunter S. Thompson, Andy Warhol, Patti Smith, Joan Baez, Michael McClure, Norman Mailer, Amiri Baraka, Ken Kesey, William S. Burroughs, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Anne Waldman and Timothy Leary... Excerpts of discussions with William Buckley and Dick Cavett are also included. The DVD set includes over 6 hours of extras. Must have for fans.

here's the deal ----> despite the statement on the box that the film-maker has collected some 120 hours of material over the years, the doc itself is a scant 84 mins. !!! this results in a mere sketch of what the title promises ... i am a beat era aficionado & have spent a large part of MY life collecting materials & am quite familiar w/ everyone's story in that great american saga ... there are some VERY significant epochs in allen's life that are completely over-looked ... that said ... this collection's strength lies in the EXTENSIVE , not formally "edited" to fit in the other part of the set , extras ... indeed a whole disc's worth ... SO , overall , for the price , i would recommend this set ... though you may not be aware of what's missing ...

Excellent documentary- perfect for Beat lovers.

Tremendous.

For anyone familiar with Allen Ginsberg's work, this set is a great introduction to his life and times. To someone not familiar with his work, it is an excellent introduction to one of America's great poets, in the tradition of Walt Whitman. To someone who is curious about the "Beat" generation, this is a great inroduction to some of the best-known names of that time. Well worth the money, and well worth several viewings.

A marvelous, heartfelt and very well researched film about a genuine mensch. Where are you now when we need you, Allen?

Mr. Ginsberg was so far ahead of his generation and a brilliant poet!!!