Bob Dylan - No Direction Home

A great documentary, except for one glaring and baffling omission: the film does not even mention "The Times They are a-Changin'," either the song or the album. How can you make a documentary about the early years of Dylan's career, but not even mention this landmark work. It's arguably the most significant topical song Dylan ever wrote, not to mention the song most associatied with Dylan's role as "voice of a generation," and a centerpiece of his performances from 1963-66 (he opened most shows with this song).

Was there some legal reason that this was omitted? Very strange.

I sent this to my dad for Christmas last year as a stocking stuffer. I did not get to see it, but my dad went on and on about how great it was. Takes him down memory lane, and Dylan was such a revolutionary musician. He was so enthralled he went out and bought hard to find Dylan albums, and went to see him in concert recently in Indiana. Like I said, I didn't see it, but my father loved it.

A MUST HAVE for those who are either Dylan fans or have an interest in his music and poetry.

... and we, barely more than toddlers, worshipped him. Memorized his lyrics so well, we could sing them stupid drunk. We wrang drops of meaning out of the dishrag. Incredible documentary. The best yet. Yes, it was an astounding life, time, rise to fame, reshaping of American music of many generes, but for what good end? You gotta serve somebody. You gotta serve somebody... he was just a freeking kid. How many songs really meant nothing? like "When The Ship Comes In?" written in "retaliation" over a refused hotel room. Yet we swallowed it all.

Martin Scorsese scores big in this documentary on the great Bob Dylan. Interestingly, Scorsese also filmed a documentary in 1978 on The Band's last concert called "The Last Waltz". The Band were the backing band for Dylan before striking out on their own so this Dylan documentary ties things up nicely.

"No Direction Home" explores Dylan's life and career up until his motorcycle accident in 1966. There are incisive interviews with people he met along the way, rare footage of Dylan on and off stage, and rare and illuminating interviews with the great man himself.

This film does much to explain the seemingly inscrutable nature of Dylan. He is definitely his own man and like many great artists he stands outside his own time.

The highlight is footage of Dylan singing "Mr Tambourine Man" at the Newport Festival in July 24, 1964 - just a man by himself on stage with a guitar and harmonica saying nothing and yet saying everything...

This is not just for fans but for anybody with a passing interest in Dylan and the tumultuous musical and political world of the late 50s early 60s.

As well as the documentary, the DVD also contains full-length versions of some of his "live" performances between 1963-1966.