If anyone has spent money to purchase this piece of shit, they have been screwed. I rented this because I love John Lennon and always enjoy a good documentary on his life. I was somewhat afraid that this had been put together to add to the anti-war message, as Lennon was a strong advocate for anti-violence. However, it was nothing more than stock footage of his life, some from the Beatle years and some from his New York years. There is considerable time spent on his murder and Mark David Chapman (why do assassins always have three names?) and some time spent on his anti-war protests, specifically the bed-ins. On the whole, however, it's an hour long, poorly put together ruse of a documentary. Christ, the major portion is entitled "In Spite of all the Danger" and they have some crap band singing a song that simply uses the words when there is a perfectly good Beatles song to use. There is stock footage from concerts that really has nothing to do with any message Lennon might have had. And the interviews are presented in no particular order and with no linear concept, which the whole project lacks considerably.
They could have easily used Lennon's life and anti-war message to a much greater effect by focusing on his various protests and the way he did them. He actually did have a real message. He felt that violence cannot combat violence as it only leads to more. Instead of protesting in the streets, he chose other forms like baggism (putting a bag over your head so the message is not colored by appearance), bed-ins (a non-violent way to get attention to his voice) and the use of his celebrity voice, especially in songs that he wrote like Give Peace a Chance and Revolution. I may not agree with his message, but he felt very strongly about it and found ways to increase awareness of it without resorting to violent means. I could see how this may be useful in today's world. The makers of this pile of garbage dropped the ball big time and should be ashamed of attaching a great man's name to an obvious money making attempt. Whatever you do, do not spend one precious cent on this atrocious pile of manure. That is all.
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