Bob Dylan is captured on-screen as he never would be again in this groundbreaking film from D.A. Pennebaker. The legendary documentarian finds Dylan in England during his 1965 tour, which would be his last as an acoustic artist. In this wildly entertaining vision of one of the twentieth century’s greatest artists, Dylan is surrounded by teen fans, gets into heated philosophical jousts with journalists, and kicks back with fellow musicians Joan Baez, Donovan, and Alan Price. Featuring some of Dylan’s most famous songs, including “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” and “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue,” Don’t Look Back is a radically conceived portrait of an American icon that has influenced decades of vérité behind-the-scenes documentaries.
Here’s Don’t Look Back still looking like the best documentary about a popular artist ever made, revealing a whole lot about what we wanted from Dylan back then, which was something to believe in. -Detroit Free Press
As an exercise in the unbelievably cool, DA Pennebaker’s documentary on Bob Dylan’s 1965 tour of England is unparalleled. -Times (UK)
It’s hard to say which is more riveting: scenes of Bob Dylan performing such classics as “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” or scenes in which Dylan unleashes his acid tongue on hapless reporters who just want a few good quotes. -Time Out
Whether one is a member of the under-30 set that regards Mr. Dylan as a spokesman, or one of the vanishing Americans over that age, this look into the life of a folk hero is likely to be both entertaining and occasionally disturbing. -New York Times
An unforgettable all-access pass behind the scenes of Bob Dylan’s ’65 British tour, D.A. Pennebaker’s landmark 1967 rock doc all but invented the form while presaging the music video. -Village Voice
‘NR’ 96min
For more information, visit The Music Hall website.
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