There has never been a worldwide phenomenon quite like The Beatles. And there has never been a songwriter, musician, social, and political activist quite like John Lennon. Ever since his murder in 1980, Lennon has been remembered in the media primarily for both his music and as a world crusader for peace. It all sounds perfectly innocent and benign.But what people forget is what a controversial figure Lennon actually was at the time. Today's politicians in particular also have conveniently forgotten just how much of a threat Lennon was viewed as by our government, and the lengths that same government went to in its efforts to silence him.A certain to be controversial new documentary from Lions Gate Pictures scheduled to hit theatres in September is sure to change all of that. The U.S. vs John Lennon examines Lennon's transformation in the sixties from mop-topped Beatle to iconic social activist viewed as a national threat by those in some of the highest corridors of power.Lennon has, of course, certainly been the subject of numerous documentaries before. But based on the available pre-release information, this one has the feel of something completely different, and potentially something very powerful. Where previous Lennon bios have all mentioned the various controversies sparked by his trademark outspokeness — from claiming the Beatles to be bigger than Jesus to posing naked with Yoko Ono for the Two Virgins album cover — The U.S. vs John Lennon zeroes right in on the ramifications of his activism.While Lennon's legacy today is largely that of a beloved icon, he was equally reviled by many in the sixties because of his outspoken activism against the Vietnam War, and for the causes of peace and equality. Lennon's various crusades not only earned him a spot on Nixon's infamous political enemies list (probably right next to Hanoi Jane), but surveillance by J. Edgar Hoover's FBI. It's been fairly well-documented that his troubles getting legal passage to this country were directly tied to his political activities as well. This film delves head first into that part of the John Lennon story, focusing specifically on those historical events for the very first time. If the world has forgotten that powerful men like Richard Nixon and J. Edgar Hoover worked diligently and feverishly to keep Lennon out of this country, this film, at least judging by its trailer (which can be viewed at the film's official website), looks to remove all such cobwebs of memory lapse. At the very least, it confirms that when you piss off those in power, even in a democracy like ours, all bets are off. Things can get dangerous.Utilizing interviews with both Lennon's closest confidants and even a few of his more noteworthy adversaries, as well as some truly remarkable archival footage, The U.S. vs. John Lennon tells the story of John Lennon for the first time as it actually happened.Filmmakers David Leaf (America: A Tribute To Heroes), John Scheinfeld (Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of SMiLE), and Arlene Wszalek (Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)?) have put together what is sure to be one of the most controversial and talked about pictures this year.The U.S. vs. John Lennon also draws some very striking parallels between the generationally polarized America of the sixties and the geographically and culturally polarized America of today. Activist musicians of today ranging from Neil Young to The Dixie Chicks might want to bring their notepads along with them to this film.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
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Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Thank you Lisa for getting this published. So any idea on why the movie trailer wasn't able to go up here?
Thanx again.
-Glen
2 - The Walrus Was Paul
This movie sounds awesome. I can't wait to see it. Thanks for the heads up.
3 - Glen Boyd
It does look awesome indeed. Thanx for the comment. Goo Goo Ga Joob.
-Glen
4 - Elvira Black
What the Walrus was Paul said.
5 - Glen Boyd
He is the eggman Elvira.
-Glen
6 - Rodney Welch
Nice trailer. Interestingly, the FBI man who went after John Lennon was the same guy who brought down Nixon. His name was Mark Felt, a.k.a. "Deep Throat."
7 - Glen Boyd
Rodney,
Interesting factoid about Mark Felt and one I was completely unaware of. Theres some real irony in that. I guess some spooks will work whatever side of the fence has the greener grass. Anyway, thanks for the comment.
-Glen
8 - Release The Last Ten Pages
The FBI is still withholding ten pages of the John Lennon file after 32 years due to concern for an informant and guarding intelligence practices. One rumor making the rounds is that the informant they're protecting is Paul McCartney who may want his participation in providing inside information to British intelligence kept secret for legacy reasons.
9 - Glen Boyd
Thats not the same Paul McCartney who's been dead since the sixties is it? Just checking...
-Glen
10 - JesusWasALiberal
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The key unspoken question here is: was the murder of John Lennon (in 1980) part of a "reactivation" of the same clandestine activity & networks that had stalked and threatened Lennon during the Nixon Adminstration-?
Recall that at that time Jimmy Carter was a defeated, "lame duck", outgoing official and the incoming adminstration featured the very well-connected George H. W. Bush (a protector of CIA/Watergate/Nixon secrets as Ford's CIA-Director).
While this may seem like idle speculation, there were actually problems with the murder scene itself: a) the glass at the lobby entrance was also struck with a bullet; b) Lennon was shot on curiously his left side and not on his right; c) the Dakota Security Guard Jose Perdomo was not following normal security procedures that night and clearly was either strangly derelict in his duty, a facilitator to the act, or directly involved; d) One of the arresting officers, Peter Cullen, did not believe Chapman shot Lennon. Cullen believed the shooter was "a handyman" at the Dakota, but Jose Perdomo talked Cullen into believing it was Chapman (no one else identified Chapman); e) No less than Lieutenant Arthur O'Connor stated: "As far as you are trying to build up some kind of conspiracy, I would support you in that line"; f) Chapman had worked for an "Evangelical Charity" refugee camp that was run by "World Vision" which was directly connected to the CIA and used to recruit the "death squads" of El Salvador. Researcher John Judge stated: "World Vision" appears to be an elaborate cover for the recruitment, training, and placement of assassins worldwide - f.y.i., once you're in the CIA, you never leave; g) Chapman made no effort to escape, he was never found to be legally insane, and his memory of the details is contradictory - his behavior fits that more of a hypnotized stooge while a skilled assassin may have fired from the service elevator door (in line with the lobby and also fitting Cullen's "handyman" description); h) Chapman, for a guy who had no real job, seemed to be quite the "world traveler" jetting around between Hawaii-Chicago-Georgia-NewYork and also staying at Hotels, Resturants, etc.: just who was financing his many movements-? i) Just how does a guy get a Charter Arms .38 revolver through Airport Security anyway (and multiple times)-? [It seems obvious that Chapman had connections]
So, the jury is still out on this one and I hope that the film can uncover some of these disturbing details.
11 - JesusWasALiberal
Also refer to: john-lennon.net
12 - Glen Boyd
Interesting comments Mr. Liberal.
And I agree there are a lot of interesting, somewhat unexplained curcuimstances behind Lennon's murder. While I'm not sure I entirely buy into The "Mancurian Candidate" conspiracy you seem to be expousing...the theory of Chapman being some sort of Mind-controlled assasin, a la the theories behind Sirhan Sirhan (which I actually find quite a bit more compelling) and the RFK murder...I still somewhat agree there's some facets of it which have never been entirely or adqueately explained.
Again, I'm not saying I'm quite ready to sign up for this particular theory. Not at all. But I found your comments interesting enough that I will take a look at the link you posted here. Thanks for taking the time to make them.
-Glen
13 - alan
For access to the case that the CIA killed Lennon, go to ciakilledlennon.blogspot.com
14 - alan
For access to the case that the CIA killed Lennon, go to ciakilledlennon.blogspot.com
15 - ren
The film sugarcoats Lennon somewhat, but recent books like this one present a more balanced portrait.