Bob Dylan - Don’t Look Back

by Jim Halterman

EDGE Media Network Contributor

Tuesday April 26, 2011

Truth be told, Bob Dylan is someone this reviewer has never quite understood. The assumption that seemed easiest was that if you weren't truly a part of the 60s, it must have passed over your head. A new Blu-ray release of two classic Dylan documentaries now offers the chance to see how Dylan became Dylan in music and pop culture.

The two documentaries on the Blu-ray are D.A. Pennebaker's "Don't Look Back" and Murray Lerner's "The Other Side of the Mirror"; both offer different looks at Dylan in both the professional and personal parts of his life.

Pennebaker's film was shot during Dylan's 3-week concert tour in the UK and, at times, is literally a fly-on-the-wall as the camera obtains rare access to the performer.

Lerner's film is more performance-based with Dylan performing at the Newport Folk Festival in 1963, 1964 and 1965. With no narration or interviews, the camera still captures some great moments that help the viewer get a sense of who Dylan was. Songs include such classics as "Blowin' In The Wind" (with The Freedom Singers, Joan Baez and Peter, Paul and Mary) and "Mr. Tambourine Man." There is also a bonus feature with an interview with the Director.

If you're a Dylan fan (and you're not but curious about his legend), this Blu-ray is a must-have. Great music, great insight and some of the best non-fiction film making ever captured.

BOB DYLAN: DON'T LOOK BACK

Blu-ray

$39.95

http://www.newvideo.com/docurama/bob-dylan-dont-look-back-bddvd-2pk/

Jim Halterman lives in Los Angeles and also covers the TV/Film/Theater scene for www.FutonCritic.com, AfterElton, Vulture, CBS Watch magazine and, of course, www.jimhalterman.com. He is also a regular Tweeter and has a group site on Facebook.