Amazon.com

The vintage concert footage alone makes Festival Express a memorable and worthwhile endeavor, offering scintillating performances by Janis Joplin, the Band (their rollicking version of "Slippin' and Slidin'" is particularly mind-blowing), the Grateful Dead, Buddy Guy, and others (remember Mashmakhan?). In 1970, during the heyday of the rock festival, promoter Ken Walker decided to organize a traveling musical revue, bringing the mountain to Mohammed, as it were. In five days' time, the festival played in three Canadian cities with the entire conglomeration traveling, playing, and getting smashed together the whole way. Nearly as rewarding as the live performances are the candid scenes of the train ride itself, an endless jam session and party during which musicians of all shapes and sizes let their hair down--musically and otherwise. The contemporary interviews with Walker and some of the surviving musicians aren't particularly noteworthy, except as a way to prove that it all actually happened. Walker comes off as a hero in the film: he treated the musicians like royalty and insisted that the train roll on even though he was losing his shirt. (His financial failure is a large reason why this material stayed in the vaults for so long.) Perhaps the most remarkable scene is an off-the-cuff, LSD-fueled train jam featuring Joplin, the Band's Rick Danko, and the Dead's Jerry Garcia playing the old chestnut "Ain't No More Cane." Danko is so obliterated that even Janis has to ask him if he's OK--when Janis is worried about your state of mind, you must be pretty messed up. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Description

Called "the greatest rock film ever made," this landmark documentary follows the Rolling Stones on their notorious 1969 U.S. tour. When 300,000 members of the Love Generation collided with a few dozen Hell's Angels at San Francisco's Altamont Speedway, direct cinema pioneers David and Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin immortalized on film the bloody slash that transformed a decade's dreams into disillusionment. ... Read more

Reviews (86)

Brilliant companion piece (and antidote) to "Woodstock" doc
I don't have much new to add here, but I will say this documentary is a very important historical document of its time and scene. I would suggest watching the "Woodstock" documentary first. After that makes you feel high, lovable, and loved, put this one in; it will bring you back down to earth. "Gimme Shelter" left me thinking that the hippie bliss realization of Woodstock was confined to just that one single weekend. Although the music and performances at Woodstock were some of the absolute best ever captured on film, the hippie ideals that filled that festival were nothing but ideals. And what we saw in Altamont, however, left me thinking that the disaster of Woodstock '99 didn't seem so bad compared to Altamont '69.

"Gimme Shelter" is not at all a concert film, which is okay because that's not even its purpose. The Stones sounded pretty bad live throughout the film. They were experimenting with drugs and new equipment (not a good combination). I wouldn't have minded, however, if the filmmakers had included more footage of a knockout Tina Turner. And couldn't they have put the camera on Gram Parsons (with The Flying Burrito Brothers) for at least a few seconds!!. Little did they know how valuable that footage would have been! But those are just questions, not quibbles.

So as a concert film don't expect much. But as a document of the end of an era (and its ideals), I can't imagine a better one. This is a must-see documentary. Easily one of the best ever.

Angels Not to Blame/The Truth is Shown !!
Everyone shold not be on the Angels ass. They did what they were hired to do - protect the stage from idiots " who shoudn't have been there, zapped out on the drugs some of them could not handle".There were a few great musical moments at Woodstock, but it was the "peace and love crowd" and the promoters were just money hungry freaks.

The Rolling Stones have always had a dark side, and just because a few hippie types couldn't handle the scene, it has gone down as the "end of the Sixties". Well, my dear friends, the sixties were a time of change, but the rot had set in way before Altamont. I know, as I was there. Where are all the "share the world, wealth, and love" folks now? Sitting in places they protested, greedy and nothing like they were in the Sixties, towing the line like their parents and others they wanted to overthrow then. Greed, greed, greed. That's where the "peace and love" generation is now, not caring about their "bros and sisters". Power to the people my ass.

a strong film with many bonus features
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

Gimme Shelter is regarded by many as the most important rock film of all time. It follows the Rolling Stones on their infamous 1969 US tour. It covers the Madison Square Garden concert and the near-disastrous Altamont Speedway concert, along with actuality footage of the band in meetings with their lawyer, Melvin Belli (also known for defending Jack Ruby and for a guest appearance in a Star Trek episode) It remains one of the most popular rock films ever made and is as thought-provoking today as it was 35 years ago. An actual now-famous homicide was caught on tape and is featured in this film (as well as nudity), making it inappropriate for children.

The Criterion DVD includes many special features also.

There is a theatrical trailer and a re-release trailer for the film as well as the films, "Salesmen" and "Grey Gardens" also directed by the Maysles brothers.

There is film restoration deomonstration, several deleted scenes and outtakes, audio commentary by the directors and collaborator, Stanley Goldstein. There are also 80 minutes of excerpts from the 4 hour call-in radio show done after the Altamont concert and a photo gallery of the Altamont concert.

As an added bonus the accompanying booklet is many times larger than normal (this one is 44 pages) and contains several essays by many different people.

This DVD is a MUST for Rolling Stones fans as well as Criterion Collection DVD fans alike.

Superb look at The Rolling Stones' ill-fated 1969 tour
Gimmie Shelter is The Rolling Stones' documentary on the band's ill-fated 1969 North American tour in support of the album Let it Bleed. We see the band performing at Madison Square Garden playing songs like Jumping Jack Flash and Love in Vain among others, which was also released on the classic 1970 live album Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out. We also get to see the band record Brown Sugar and Wild Horses from their 1971 album Sticky Fingers at the legendary Muscle Shoals Studios in Alabama. However, the most famous bit from this classic movie was the ill-fated performance in Altamont in December of 1969 which was toted as a West Coast Woodstock but turned out to be anything but when a fan was killed by The Hell's Angels and rioting by the crowd caused the band to stop performing a few times. Musically, this film has great versions of Sympathy For the Devil, Under My Thumb, Jumping Jack Flash, Love in Vain and many other great Stones classics. I first saw this movie when I was 9 in 1985 and enjoy this film seeing as my mom is a huge Stones fan. Highly recommended!

the late 1960s, without the rosy spectacles
Despite the bad sound and grainy film quality, this is a riveting, brutal documentary that focuses on the 1969 free concert at Altamont Speedway that was envisioned by the Rolling Stones as a fun time for everyone to "get it on", and ended with chaos and someone being killed, which is shown in the film. With the Hell's Angels in charge of security, and a vast crowd in a senseless and often aggressive drug induced stupor, watching this evolve is like looking into the abyss of the damned. The mid and late '60s were not the flower-power love generation years some remember through rose-tinted lenses, they were very often violent and hateful, as anyone who saw the rabble "express themselves" at the 1968 Democratic Convention can attest. There are people who blame the outcome of this concert on the Hell's Angels, but this film proves that they were only a part of the problem.

There is also much pretension: Guys in suits trying to be hip and cool, and Melvin Belli, the celebrity attorney of his day, making sure he gets his 15 minutes of camera time. The Rolling Stones (at this point Mick Taylor had replaced Brian Jones, who had died in July of that year) seem to be out of place in dealing with their fame, and trying to "act the part", as well as being in a fog of substance abuse. Mick Jagger is the one that appears to be the most "in control", and he tries his best to bring calm and order to the concert crowd, to no avail.
There are short sequences of other groups, like the Jefferson Airplane, and musically, perhaps the best part in the entire film is Tina Turner, as she sings "I've Been Loving You Too Long" all the while using the microphone as a substitute love interest.
Total running time is 91 minutes.

All or in part, the songs performed by the Stones are:
"Honky Tonk Man"
"Brown Sugar"
"Gimme Shelter"
"Jumpin' Jack Flash"
"Love in Vain"
"Satisfaction"
"Street Fighting Man"
"Sympathy for the Devil"
"Under My Thumb"
"Wild Horses"
"You Gotta Move" ... Read more

Reviews (17)

There is Nothing Like A Grateful Dead Concert!
This video is a documentation of the Grateful Dead's "Retirement" conerts at Bill Graham's Winterland in San Fransisco, CA. in October, 1974. The band had made the decision to take an indefinate amount of time off from the road, and give themselves a much deserved (and needed) break.

This film is an excellent view of the band at the end of one of their many peaks over the years. It features much fine music, as well as many insightful views of the scene that had come to surround them. Jerry Garcia himself edited over 150 hours of film to come up with this 2hr, 20 minute bit of history.

This is a high-quality endeavor from start to finish. Whether you've been 'on the bus' since the beginning, or never got the chance to go to see the band in person, this film is a must see for fans of all ages.

Absolutely the best movie about the Dead!
This great movie has done something no other Grateful Dead production has succeeded in doing: blending the music of the Dead with the feeling of what it was like to attend a '70s Dead show. The Views from the Vault, Downhill from Here, etc., are nice videos, but they capture the Dead in outside venues. Yes, the sound quality on those is great. But "The Grateful Dead Movie," culled from a San Francisco run just before the boys took a year or so off, goes beyond mere music. It focuses on the fans, too. My favorite scene is the obviously blissed out fan whose standing in front of the stage the whole time; close behind is the equally "dosed" amigo in the white slacks and sport coat that have been tie-dyed. The camera captures the cops being cool with the heads sitting outside waiting for the show and passing doobs -- something that wouldn't happen in this day and age. The opening animation is awesome and dissolves into a nice U.S. Blues as the film replaces the animation. From the moment this VHS begins until the final credits, it's great, great stuff. Yes, Jerry was very involved in its editing, so I'm sure his artistic talents had a great impact on the end results. The ONLY down side to things is that this isn't available on DVD format yet. The day it is (and that day surely will come), I'll order it the day it's released and revel in a film classic for about the 200th time. Great stuff. If you want video of the Dead, start HERE!

Dead at their best
I remember when I couldn't wait for this movie to come to the big screen every few years. It is awesome. It is The Grateful Dead at their best. I have been hoping it will come out on DVD. If you like The Grateful Dead during that time period you will love this movie.

travel with your mind
The Grateful Dead Movie is a total gas from start to finish. It documents a pretty amazing scene, when 90 percent of the audience was tripping and enjoying an intense journey through time and space. The Dead were arguably at the peak of their powers during this era and the playing is fantastic. HIGHLY recommended.

It's a ten on the 1-5 scale.
I am amazed at how many younger fans I know who have not seen this classic.

There is NOTHING LIKE the Grateful Dead Movie.

Watch the movie tripping, then get out your 1968-69, and 1973-74 tapes. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Consider this a documentary for those who inhaled. Ron Mann's playful portrait of marijuana in America is less a social history than an examination of the government's systematic seven-decade campaign to demonize the devil's weed: the conspiracy against cannabis! Through government documents, period newsreels, and clips from hysterical educational scare films and campy overheated features (like High on the Range and the cult classic Reefer Madness), Mann reveals a systematic policy of misinformation to (he argues) justify the billions spent on the losing war on drugs. Well researched if one-sided and occasionally questionable in its own assertions (aren't there any side effects to this wonder weed?), this witty history lesson is charged with raucous energy and a satirical slant. Mann and his easygoing narrator Woody Harrelson may be preaching to the converted, but it's a hilarious sermon. Pass the munchies! --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (16)

A powerful teaching tool!
The thesis that Ron Mann presents the viewer with in this well-crafted and colorful documentary is: that Government has always profited from laws against Marijuana; and, ergo, has refused to legalize the drug in spite of the fact that it has (arguably) been medically proven to be less harmful and addictive than alcohol. That thesis is examined thoroughly from a historical vantage point and addressed brilliantly with qualitative data, (mainly consisting of historical film footage and historical facts). Although, at times, the presentation of statistical data is somewhat dubious (Specifically, I would deduct one-half star for Mann's consistent referral to Government spending in the general "War on Drugs" as the "War on Marijuana").

I agree with most of the reviews of this film and would add that whether the viewer's position is pro-legalization or anti-legalization there is a lot of insight to be gleaned from knowing the history of Marijuana legislation in America. I would highly recommend this film for college professors concerned with teaching students about either: a) the role of political and economic power in the creation of a body of laws; or b) the power of government-sponsored propaganda with regard to the creation of sub-groups of social deviants. There is also a lot to be learned about the making of a documetary from examining the presentation of the thesis.

The most laudable aspect of this documentary, which is narrated by Woody Harrelson, is its historical "linearity" in presenting the events that eventally led to status of Marijuana in today's society. The documentary begins by showing us some footage from the early 1900's that seems to confirm that the earliest attempts to criminalize pot-smoking in America came about largely as the result of predjudice and fear toward Mexican immigrants to the US. Footage from the 1920's and 1930's seems to confirm that the government had effectively mastered the power to control other disenfranchised segments of the population (such as African Americans) indirectly through the passage of laws aimed at behaviors associated with those segments. Likewise, footage from the 1950's and 1960's indicates that the pot laws similarly geared to target first "communists" and then anti-war hippies. Footage from more recent decades seems to confirm that although by the 1970's most of the American popualtion were aware that pot was generally an innocuous distraction from reality, the demonization of grass had become so embedded in American culture that legalization was not an option.

While the presentation of the 1900-1950 data from the film is often punctuated by scare-film clips (ie: clips from "Reefer Madness", etc.) which provide the viewer with some chuckles, with regard to the substatiative content of the film, there are some particularly powerful moments that can not be disregarded. First, there are film clips taken from 1960's medical experiments, which actually show the effects of marijuana on experimental groups to be harmless. Second, evidence is presented that seems to confirm that the results of these experiements were systemically disregarded by lawmakers (especially by Richard Nixon who, in spite of medical evidence, decided to step-up efforts to punish marijuana criminals). Finally, Mann's presentation of legislation dictating the use of cannabis, accentuates the progressively counterintuitive body of law related to the drug.

In sum, although the film was produced by NORML, this is not the "government bash-fest" that I would have expected. While I otherwise liked the review, I strongly take exception to the reviewer who claimed that is "...this video is propaganda for fans of grass...". The tone of the documentary is suprisingly objective most of the time and highly academic in its presentation of historical fact and lawmaking. It really doesn't even come across as pushing a political agenda - much less as "ramming one down your throat". Show it in the classroom and see what the students think.

propaganda about propaganda
For what it's worth I do agree with what the film-makers of "Grass" have to say... that our government's criminilization of marijuana is a far greater crime than all the use, dealing, and growing of it combined and multiplied. But the film would have been better if it had been a little more even handed in it's approach. This film isn't gonna change many people's minds on the issue of legalization. I also think that this film could have gone further than simply attacking the government propaganda over the years. It is affective as a compilation of ridiculous propaganda (at times you'd swear the people who made these things were trying to be funny). But it doesn't tackle key issues like the competition that hemp provides to the paper and cotton industries, which could arguably be the main motivation behind the millions and millions of dollars wasted on this "war".

Great Documentary
What a great... wait where am I? How the heck did I end up here?

One Toke Short Of The Mark
The United States of America has spent untold billions to search out, arrest, prosecute, and imprison people who use marijuana; all the time, money, and effort that has gone into this has had very little effect; and it does seem odd, particularly given evidence that alcohol and nicotine are much deadlier, that we put so much emphasis on the clearly futile effort to eradicate its use. It is a situation ripe for a documentary that combines hard fact with witty satire, and this is precisely what GRASS attempts to do.

But "attempts" is the operative word here. While the film is accurate re the facts it presents, it tends to ignore facts it doesn't like--chief among them that any drug, all the way from cough syrup to heroin, can be abused, and marijuana is no exception to the rule. Ron Mann's failure to acknowledge this tends to undercut his own argument, and what ultimately emerges is a film that argues FOR the legalization of marijuana TO people who are already in favor of it.

That said, while the film presents plenty of amusing graphics and often hilarious snips of vintage films such as the notorious REEFER MADNESS, the pace is just a shade too laid back to hold the narrative together. When all is said and done, it lacks both the informational and visual spark of a truly first rate documentary. Worth watching once, but only if you don't expect too much from it.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

great movie
this documentary on marijuana use from roughly 1900 to present times is awesome. it has vintage footage of adults smoking joints in their living room in the 60s for recreational use. my favorite part is when they show the soldiers in Vietnam smoking out of their gun. they use the bullet chamber of the gun as the bowl for the pot and smoke it out of the barrel.
its narrated by woody harrelson, known stoner. they also show the origins of weed in america when mexican immigrants brought it over for breaks during their labor in texas. i say thank you to them. anyways, it also shows the hippies in san francisco smokin joints. and talks about the fight to legalize it in america. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Grateful Documentary
A totally awesome documentary that will make you tap your feet, smile, shed a tear and dry your eyes on the wind. Not only is this DVD absorbing and enlightening, it is also cozy as an old hammock. For lovers of Jerry's music and the man himself, you'll get to see him in a further intimate setting than usual. You will learn of Jerry's other musical loves and how and where this sound was originated from. You will also be graced with the expertise of a one Mr. David Grisman, whom like Jerry is able to carry himself to another time and place and bring back to you, the listener, this assured style of music known as DAWG. Speaking in Psychedelic babble, I truly believe these folks perform a certain type of melodious séance, if you will, to bring to us this sweet sound of long beyond. Many thanks to David Grisman for making this film possible and allowing admirers of Jerry to see him in a different sphere. On a sad note, it will make you miss Jerry all the more.
This is a must for any Dead Head, especially those who loved the traditional ballads.
Peace, friendship and love your family with this disk.
*Remember, this is not a concert piece. This is a pure Documentary and if you are looking for just a concert, it may not be for you.

Hanging out with Jerry
This is such a great film! A real "must see" for fans of Jerry, blue grass, and lovers of music in general. The film gives an insight into Jerry's other musical interests outside of the Grateful Dead and also a real peak at what "hanging out" with Jerry must have been like. Everything is very candid and the love and respect these two have for each other and the music they made shines through. By the end of the movie you'll have a tear in your eye and a smile on your face. This is a great story about the greatest story teller and a movie your whole family can enjoy.

Grisman and Garcia - Beards of a Feather
Unlike most of the reviewers here I am more of a dawghead than a deadhead. David Grisman is my musical idol. The man is a creative genius. I bought the DVD because there's very little video available of David Grisman and I knew that this would be a video bonanza for Grisman fans. I'm not disappointed. The only drawback to this movie in my opinion is that it wasn't shot as a documentary but as Gillian Grisman says, it was a hodgepodge of home movies that were simply used to create a documentary a few years after Garcia's death. Still, there is a certain charm to the fact that it wasn't shot as a documentary. The subjects are free to be themselves, not realizing that anyone outside of their inner circle will ever view the footage. It's obvious that Gillian decided to study the art of movie making once she determined that she was going to create a documentary. She went to great lengths to tell the story of her dad and Garcia with an appropriate thread of performance, studio, and interview video. Sure, there are a lot of interview clips, but it is a documentary after all. Personally I didn't find them all that distracting. And for an added bonus, the DVD viewer has the option of viewing the movie with commentaries from David and Gillian. Several outtakes are also added, including Vassar Clements' embarrassing story of how he was playing with Garcia without really knowing who the Grateful Dead are. I'm sure most deadheads will love this flick. I know dawgheads like me will.

Nicely done
Check out this movie. If you're into bluegrass, you ought to pick this up. We all know the distinctive style of Jerry's guitar sounds with the Dead, but have you heard him on the banjo? The music that he played with Dave Grisman, Vassar Clements, Peter Rowan, and John Kahn is some of the best bluegrass you can get. There is a certain laid-back way about their sound. Some folks find bluegrass to be too shrill and hyperactive. You don't get that sense, even when they're frailing at top speeds. Which they can do with the best of em.

Also included are a variety of other sessions with David Grisman, including some footage of the Pizza Tapes sessions with Tony Rice. You're doing yourself a favor buying this disk.

Gratetful Dawg
Awesome! It must be getting early
Clocks are running late
Paint by numbers morning sky
Looks so phony

Dawn is breaking everywhere
Light a candle, curse the glare
Draw the curtains, I don't care
'Cause it's alright

I will get by
I will get by
I will get by
I will survive

I see you got your list out
Say your piece and get out (note 1)
Yes I got the gist of it
But it's alright

Sorry that you feel that way
The only thing there is to say
Every silver lining's got a
Touch of grey

It's a lesson to me
The Ables and the Bakers and the C's
The A B C's
We all must face
And try to keep a little grace

I know the rent is in arrears
The dog has not been fed in years
It's even worse than it appears
But it's alright

Cows are giving kerosene
The kid can't read at seventeen
The words he knows are all obscene
But it's alright

I will get by
I will get by
I will get by
I will survive

It's a lesson to me
The Deltas and the East and the Freeze
The A B C's
We all think of
And try to keep a little love

The shoe is on the hand it fits
There's really nothing much to it
Whistle through your teeth and split
'Cause it's alright

Oh well a touch of grey
Kind of suits you anyway
That was all I had to say
And it's alright

I will get by
I will get by
I will get by
I will survive

We will get by
We will get by
We will get by
We will survive ... Read more

Description

After college, Eric Saperston bought a 1971 Volkswagon Bus, took his Golden Retriever Jack, and set out to follow the Grateful Dead and work a ski season in Aspen.While out on the road, he called up some of the most powerful and influential people in the world and asked them out for a cup of coffee.What started out as a personal journey to find the answers to life's biggest questions - Why am I here?How can I find happiness?What is success? - quickly turned into something much bigger than he ever had imagined.As the journey unfolded, it attracted the attention of three others: Dave Murcott, Paige O'Brien and Kathleen Kelly.They too felt disconnected and were searching for purpose and meaning in their lives.So they quit their jobs, risked it all and jumped in the bus.One man's summer vacation quickly turned into four people's vocation.This team of eager travelers meandered across the country, from Atlanta, Ga., to Seattle, Wash., shot 500 hours of footage and interviewed more than 200 people in search of wisdom and inspiration from the famous and not so famous.

"To know the road ahead, ask those coming back." --Chinese proverb ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Some Roadblocks
I didn't particularly enjoy this documentary. While I totally respected and admired the premise of the film and the fact that it was a grassroots effort, the sloppy editing turned me off. It would have been better if Saperston and crew were a little less self-focused, and more interested in what their subjects had to say. There were too many irrelevant scenes that weren't funny or unusual enough to justify making the final cut. But I salute the courage and fortitude it took to make the film. Its rare to see that kind of vision these days.

Perfect for the College Student or Entire Family
After watching this DVD, I have chosen to share its story with everyone I meet.
The Journey gives us a glimpse of the side of ourselves we normally hide away.
As a to-be college student, this film provided me with so much inspiration. After showing it to my family, they were amazed at how much insight into their life they had gained.
This film is good for students, families, grandparents, educators, and basically anyone who needs assurance life is okay or needs a goal for their life.

The best!!!
I came across this film 2 1/2 years ago in Atlanta in one of the first showings. I laughed, I cried and I thought. By turning the camera on themselves and showing their positive and negative sides, it allows the viewer to let their guard down and accept the awesome lessons, that this film has to offer. I've seen it
9 times on the big screen, have taken countless friends, who all went back to bring others, and have bought 10 copies to give to friends. This is one film you won't regret buying.

A must see DVD that you've never heard of
I first saw this extraordinary movie at its Atlanta premier. That time I laughed, cried, giggled, and was so touched that I've seen it in theatres 5 other times and now own the DVD. It is real, honest and a terrific learning experience - for us all. The stories that Eric captures are real and heartwarming - as well as occasionally heartwrenching, and every person I've shown this to has connected with the movie on some level. It reconfirms my belief that we all have stories to tell to share with one another - we just need people like Eric to capture them.

The Journey is awesome
The first time I saw the Journey in Atlanta, I started looking at life through a different lens. This movie is truly the most inspirational and uplifting movie I have ever seen! Getting the DVD is the best purchase I have ever made. BUY THIS MOVIE! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

One of the saddest times for Deadheads since the death of Jerry Garcia is New Year's Eve. The Dead's legendary performances in the Bay Area ushered in a couple of decades worth of new years, and even if you couldn't make it, it was comforting to know the band was carrying on the tradition. Well, that tradition is gone, but there's a video experience that comes pretty darn close--The Grateful Dead: Ticket to New Year's, taped on New Year's Eve 1987 at the Oakland Coliseum. It's a creatively photographed and extraordinarily performed concert film that ranks among the best Dead performances on video, packed with delightful surprises. Some of the best: a robust "Terrapin Station," a rare rendition of the stoner fave "Dark Star," and an unflinchingly bluesy "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." The effect of the whole performance is that of abittersweet valentine to a way of life that may be gone but is still beloved.--Anne Hurley ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Audio is OK, but get the CDs instead and use your mind...
The audio quality on this is OK. It's a real shame that not much exists from the true heyday of the Dead. This catches them at a New Year's Eve show as they were on their low, slow, sad decline. It's not a BAD DVD. It's actually fun in places, but a Dead show was to be experienced IN PERSON and it just doesn't translate well to video. There is a companion 3-CD set to this, and I would highly recommend that you get it instead, crank up the sound, party a little, and use your imagination and pretend that the Fat Man is still up there making those sweet, round notes that just soothed the soul.

Ticket back in time...
Just watched the "Ticket to New Year's" DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. Of the four Dead DVD's out as of now, I don't know if its the best, I seem to like View from the Vault I. But hey, this well worth having in your collection. The audio is crisp and sharp and while the special effects that were added to the video may annoy some, I thought they are pretty funny. Funny in the sense that I wonder if whoever was in charge of putting the effects on the video was saying "Wow man, this is gonna trip people out..." Whatever, no big deal. I recommend getting your hand's on every Dead DVD you can, in hopes that the powers that be see that there is a demand for them. There are alot more shows that could be put out (View from the vault III in October) and I hope they come around soon. It's a great escape to tune into Jerry and the Boys for a few hours, they were a unique band that communicated a vibe that doesn't seem to be prevelant anymore... MY ADVICE TO YOU: TURN OFF THE SIX O'CLOCK PARANOIA NEWS CHANNEL OR WHATEVER OTHER JUNK THAT MAY BE ON TV, POP A COUPLE OF HEINEKEN'S, SLIDE IN A DEAD DVD AND YOU'LL FEEL MUCH BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF.

Great disc- tremendous sound, good picture
I bought the VHS tape in 1998, and I just picked up the DVD- this was a great concert from 12/31/1987 in California.
This DVD and the View from the Vault # 4 DVD (number 4 in the series) are this band's best video releases.

Stop the madness!
If there are any GDP people reading I am BEGGING YOU to stop putting out DVDs with those disastrously cheesy video effects which you inevitably lay on thick during the most interesting musical improvisations ("have pychedelic experience here"). They really ruin it for me. Allow me to create pictures in my own head, thanks (I recall seeing some pretty wild stuff back then but can't for the life of me remember a sailboat gliding across Jerry's axe!). As the years go by these horrible effects just seem more and more dated and embarrassing. The only way to go forward with these releases is to preserve maximum video and audio integrity, let the Grateful Dead speak for themselves and RESIST THE URGE to press the effects button. Let me try to put this as succintly as I can: NOBODY WANTS TO SEE THAT GARBAGE! In the case of this DVD it really ruins for me what is an otherwise very enjoyable experience. For those who have the disk, watch UJB again and tell me that the video retards don't go absolutely ga-ga PRECISELY when you don't want them to. Please people, get a clue. Stop the madness!

Great, great show
This was a hot show. Great video of the show. Doesn't capture all the live energy, but it's pretty decent.

Deadheads won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Description

In this film Leary prepares to face the newest frontier of mind expansion…. Death and The Afterlife. In the shadow of his terminal diagnosis in 1995, Leary chose to explore his death publicly on the internet through his website; a forum he felt was a new "mind-expanding tool- the LSD of the ‘90’s. This behind-the-scenes look at his last months includes Leary’s final recorded interview on death and dying and footage of his on-line meetings. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Wonderful Tribute
This film is art. it is made from the heart and shares the integrity of The Pranksters relationship to Tim Leary. the reviewers that dissed it don't understand the place it comes from. the "unknown prankster" mentioned by one of the negative reviewers is KEN BABBS, Ken Kesey's partner. The creator of the film is OB Babbs who grew up within the Pranksters. They resurrect the bus and take a magic trip to pick up Timothy Leary and together go to Camp Winnarainbow, Wavy Gravy's place. Tim is in it alot & is having a great time. it's a heartwarming tribute and a blessing for the viewers to see Tim just before he passed away. RIP Tim & Ken. Enjoy this terrific film!

Bad trip
This thing was horrible it barely had anything to do with Timothy Leary, I was realy let down and if you are a true Leary fan dont check it out, its not worth the time, but if your some wannabe acid head then this movie is for you.

INCREDIBLE VIDEO
Wonderful video, on exactly what the title says "Tim Leary's Last Trip". That first reviewer must not be able to read a title... as Ken Kesey says "The dumb people will always out number the smart people", so that explains his poor review, he's just illiterate.
The Kesey stuff is a bonus from what the film is about, "Tim Leary's Last Trip", esp with the 'recent' mid-1990s meeting of Leary and Kesey.
A great video..... plus Leary himself explains an error in Tom Wolfe's "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test", which should delight all.

TIMOTHY LEARY EXPLOITED!!!!!!
BEWARE! This video isn't really about Tim at all. It is more about the Merry Pranksters than anything else. I thought I would find a good documentary about one of the most brilliant men of the century, the man who wrote Exo-Psychology, the man who served prison time with a smile on his face. This film merely exploits Tim's memory.

Very very bad and cheasy..!!!!
As this story starts out, you get the excited feeling that you are about to witness an in-depth and expansive insight into Timothy Leary... suddenly a tall lanky kid (the son of an unknown Merry Prankster) leads you on a goofball idiotic history of the Merry Prankster 60's.. He talks to you like you are 7 years old and continually tries to sensationalize word, "LSD", like it is a mind shattering word that will just blow you over with the way he says it. His sensationalist attempt fails and just makes him look really naive and stupid.. You tire of the performance 5 minutes into the show. It seems obvious that the age group this is intended for must be the teeny bopper group. Timothy Leary is hardly in this movie, except for a few occasional places, it's instead devoted to Ken Kessey and his merry pranksters and everything they did in the 60's. They eventually meet up together near the end of Learys life and Kessey exploits the situtaion to steal the show with his "warrior philosophy" in which leary describes later as "I just played along" You get the feeling that most everyone who attended didnt really know who leary was, except that he was connected with l.s.d. in some way. Most had never read any of his work.. He must have secretly been very lonley towards the end.

Timothy Leary was a big brain, no doubt, just explore Exo-Psychology (a work that modern day psychology has never really been able to decrypt) He made some genuine and important contributions to psychology, he was a real pioneer and a Galileo of his time.. it's sad that he should be used in such a lame and cheap attempt to make some bucks or to fulfill the ego's of the those that missed the 60's and want to take advantage of a spotlight shining on a greater person. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Wonderful Tribute
This film is art. it is made from the heart and shares the integrity of The Pranksters relationship to Tim Leary. the reviewers that dissed it don't understand the place it comes from. the "unknown prankster" mentioned by one of the negative reviewers is KEN BABBS, Ken Kesey's partner. The creator of the film is OB Babbs who grew up within the Pranksters. They resurrect the bus and take a magic trip to pick up Timothy Leary and together go to Camp Winnarainbow, Wavy Gravy's place. Tim is in it alot & is having a great time. it's a heartwarming tribute and a blessing for the viewers to see Tim just before he passed away. RIP Tim & Ken. Enjoy this terrific film!

Bad trip
This thing was horrible it barely had anything to do with Timothy Leary, I was realy let down and if you are a true Leary fan dont check it out, its not worth the time, but if your some wannabe acid head then this movie is for you.

INCREDIBLE VIDEO
Wonderful video, on exactly what the title says "Tim Leary's Last Trip". That first reviewer must not be able to read a title... as Ken Kesey says "The dumb people will always out number the smart people", so that explains his poor review, he's just illiterate.
The Kesey stuff is a bonus from what the film is about, "Tim Leary's Last Trip", esp with the 'recent' mid-1990s meeting of Leary and Kesey.
A great video..... plus Leary himself explains an error in Tom Wolfe's "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test", which should delight all.

TIMOTHY LEARY EXPLOITED!!!!!!
BEWARE! This video isn't really about Tim at all. It is more about the Merry Pranksters than anything else. I thought I would find a good documentary about one of the most brilliant men of the century, the man who wrote Exo-Psychology, the man who served prison time with a smile on his face. This film merely exploits Tim's memory.

Very very bad and cheasy..!!!!
As this story starts out, you get the excited feeling that you are about to witness an in-depth and expansive insight into Timothy Leary... suddenly a tall lanky kid (the son of an unknown Merry Prankster) leads you on a goofball idiotic history of the Merry Prankster 60's.. He talks to you like you are 7 years old and continually tries to sensationalize word, "LSD", like it is a mind shattering word that will just blow you over with the way he says it. His sensationalist attempt fails and just makes him look really naive and stupid.. You tire of the performance 5 minutes into the show. It seems obvious that the age group this is intended for must be the teeny bopper group. Timothy Leary is hardly in this movie, except for a few occasional places, it's instead devoted to Ken Kessey and his merry pranksters and everything they did in the 60's. They eventually meet up together near the end of Learys life and Kessey exploits the situtaion to steal the show with his "warrior philosophy" in which leary describes later as "I just played along" You get the feeling that most everyone who attended didnt really know who leary was, except that he was connected with l.s.d. in some way. Most had never read any of his work.. He must have secretly been very lonley towards the end.

Timothy Leary was a big brain, no doubt, just explore Exo-Psychology (a work that modern day psychology has never really been able to decrypt) He made some genuine and important contributions to psychology, he was a real pioneer and a Galileo of his time.. it's sad that he should be used in such a lame and cheap attempt to make some bucks or to fulfill the ego's of the those that missed the 60's and want to take advantage of a spotlight shining on a greater person. ... Read more