Eloquent, and well considered background detail provided by Donovan and his lovely wife and muse Linda just adds to the undeniable magic of the production. Rising quickly from the UK TV show Ready Steady Go, to mixing with Bob Dylan in a matter of moments, it is nothing short of a fairytale of incredible achievement.
The summer of 1965 was significant in many ways. He gained so much but lost the love of his life, Linda. Happily the couple met again, in a story that shows it was meant to be, written in the stars that she believes in. It is only one of a number of heart warming stories along the road.
The tour takes in Denmark Street in London, Japan, India, San Francisco, the desert days and nights of Joshua Tree, idyllic Greek islands, Hollywood, and the Isle Of Wight Festival of 1970. He tells us of tax problems, record deals, and nervous breakdowns. As if decided by the Gods it was the darkest moment that saw him take the decision to fly home. When he got there he met Linda again for the first time since those far off days in the mid sixties.
Donovan, like Dylan, is the genuine article. He reveals that when he first appeared on Ready Steady Go home for him was sleeping rough on a beach in Cornwall. There are fascinating tales of being shot at by Keith Moon, meditating with George Harrison, playing for Pete Seeger, his dedication to Derroll Adams, the Carnaby Street scene, and being the first music star to be raided by the London drug squad.
There is a genuine warmth to this Celtic troubadour. A feeling of knowledge gained through living the life that Jack Kerouac inspired him to do. I left the film with the certain belief that if I was blessed enough to live next door to him I could learn so much of life, love, the world, meditation, and spirituality through just being close to such a person. Not to mention his music. This is the man who wrote "Hurdy Gurdy Man" after all.
His journey is truly inspirational. Linda provides some warm, eloquent insights of the man who is clearly her soul mate. His music is featured thoughtfully and with great relevance. There is excellent use of rare footage. In amongst all of this there are near throwaway stories of George Harrison, and Paul McCartney.
Article comments
1 - Phil Peters
I've watched it.
I grew up in the 60's
I can't think of many, whose biography would be deserving of a 3 hour plus film.
While interesting, considering where he has been and what he has done, I found the length tedious.
I felt that it was Donovan's sense of self that made it that long.
2 - Jeff
Thanks Phil, I suppose it must be difficult, with a life so full, to know what to include and what to leave out - as different sections are of varying degrees of interest to different people. Either way - it's an incredible life story. Thanks for reading the review and for taking the time to add your views. Jeff