Originally released in 1967 Don’t Look Back is the best look at Bob Dylan that I have ever seen. I say that because it is one of the few looks at Dylan’s life that finds him being, for the most part, cooperative with those interested in him and his music. This probably has a lot to do with the fact that Dylan was just getting his bearings as a musician when Don’t Look Back was made, and that is one of the key things that makes the film work so well. As many fans know, as Dylan got more road-hardened and world-weary, he became even more aloof when it came to talking about his personal beliefs and often came across as a walking contradiction.
While the movie has been available on DVD for some time, Don’t look Back, hailed by Rolling Stone as “one of the greatest rock films of all time,” is being re-issued in a lavish box set dubbed Don’t Look Back 65’ Tour Deluxe Edition.
The film follows Dylan as he tours England in 1965 and the film’s creator, D.A. Pennbaker, compiles various black and white footage with such expertise that Don’t Look Back is the blueprint that other music documentaries strive to duplicate. That’s because the movie cuts to the chase and instead of being pretentious and coming off like a fan-made love letter, Don’t Look Back remains wholly objective and tries to examine Dylan’s career, and society, as it was at the time.
The film starts out swinging with the promotional clip, largely regarded as the first true music video, for Dylan’s political powerhouse song “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” and doesn’t let up for the remainder of the film. Among the best scenes are Dylan’s always skeptical interactions with the press, jam sessions with Donovan and Joan Baez and a handful of great scenes featuring Dylan’s manager Albert Grossman handling all manners of business affairs for Dylan. It’s as good of a look into the music business as it is into Dylan’s fame.
Article comments
1 - Lono
I am totally stoked about this. I rented the last transfer of 'Don't look back' and was disappointed. It wasn't worth watching more than once, and I am a crazy big Dylan fan. It just seemed like nobody put any heart or creativity into the DVD release.
This new release sounds like what I have been hoping for, so I will definately pick it up.
2 - zim
I think Leno is missing the point.....it's not the DVD "package".....it's the film itself...
3 - Zorba
typical Americans not understanding culture or context.
More culture in a yoghurt.
4 - Bas Bos
Fantastic reissue...will it apear also in region 2? Does anyone know?
5 - klt
...something is happening here, but you don't know what it is, do you mr. zorba (the geek)....