Product Description

The compelling and provocative story of John Lennon's evolution from beloved Beatle to outspoken artist and activist to iconic inspiration for peace, and how, in the midst of one of the most tumultuous times in American history, Lennon stood his ground, refused to be silenced and courageously won his battle with the U.S. Government.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11943 in DVD
• Brand: U.S. VS. JOHN LENNON (DVD MOVIE)
• Released on: 2007-02-13
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .30 pounds
• Running time: 99 minutes

Amazon.com
In retrospect, it seems absurd that the United States government felt so threatened by the presence of John Lennon that they tried to have him deported. But that's what happened, as chronicled in directors David Leaf and John Scheinfeld's The U.S. vs. John Lennon. The film starts slowly, with a familiar look at the former Beatle's troubled childhood, his outspokenness as one of the Fabs ("We're more popular now than Jesus Christ," etc.), and his eventual hookup with Yoko Ono, paralleled by the growth of political protest in '60s America, particularly against the Vietnam War. John and Yoko went on to stage their own peaceful demonstrations, like the Canadian "bed-ins," but these were largely harmless media stunts. It was when the Lennons moved to New York in the early '70s and took a more active role in the anti-war movement, making friends with radicals like Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, and Black Panther Party founder Bobby Seale, that the government got interested--and paranoid--and men like President Richard Nixon, FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, and right-wing Sen. Strom Thurmond began actively looking for ways to silence him (it was Thurmond who came up with the deportation idea). That's also when the film picks up. An array of talking heads weighs in, ranging from Ono and others sympathetic to Lennon's plight (Walter Cronkite, Sen. George McGovern, even Geraldo Rivera) to those on the other side, including Watergate conspirator G. Gordon Liddy. Though The U.S. vs. John Lennon is hardly impartial, it's safe to say that although Lennon was more an idealist than an activist, he was an influential celebrity whom Nixon viewed as a potential nuisance in an election year. And even once Nixon had won the '72 presidential race, the Immigration and Naturalization Service refused to drop its case. Why? "Anybody who sings about love, and harmony, and life, is dangerous to somebody who sings about death," says author Gore Vidal. "Lennon... was a born enemy of the U.S. He was everything they hated." For music fans, Lennon's solo recordings provide the soundtrack. The DVD also contains considerable additional documentary footage. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews

"Time wounds all heals"
Some fans of John Lennon's music couldn't swallow what he eventually became. For such people, hearthrobbing memories of the loveable moptop didn't gel with the later scraggy haired peace toting activist. "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" shows a reporter confronting Lennon on this very issue. She tells him outright that he should take a look at himself and suggests that he should feel ashamed. Lennon tells her that he's all grown up, and when she asks "to what?" he answers simply "29."

That answer should perk brows. It's easy to forget that Lennon, a larger than life figure in life and in death, was rather young during the most controversial part of his life. Fresh from the breakup of the Beatles, the incomprehensibly famous twenty-something focused his energies on activism. His life as the "intelligent" Beatle may have made him feel somewhat infallible - and in some ways he was untouchable. The head-on clash he had with the United States government, documented in this film, probably bolstered that feeling. That he accomplished what he did at such a young age remains astonishing.

Anyone familiar with Lennon's career knows that he had a penchant for making bold statements. Some of these led to public outcry. After a brief overview of Lennon's childhood, the film shows the fallout from his 1966 "we're more popular than Jesus" statement. Beatle bonfires, condemnation in the press, boycotts, and defamation resulted. The band survived, of course. But that controversy failed to staple his tongue. With almost unprecedented candor for a rock star, Lennon began to speak out against the Vietnam war. One scene shows the Beatles poised press-conference style. An interviewer throws out a question about the United States' involvement in Vietnam. Most of the band looks stifled, as if they don't want to say anything. Lennon's words then shatter the uncomfortable silence as he shows unmitigated support for America's anti-war protesters. Such a well-known person speaking out probably didn't escape the notice of the United States government.

But Lennon's real political activities began in New York City following his marriage to avant-garde artist Yoko Ono. These dumped him in real hot water. The film follows the newlyweds during their "bed-ins" in Amsterdam and Montreal, including a "bagism" press conference. The United States wouldn't allow a New York City bed-in due to previous drug charges. After John and Yoko settled in New York city, Lennon became involved with outspoken activists Abbie Hoffman and John Rubin. He also played at a benefit concert for a jailed John Sinclair. The movie mentions that Sinclair gave "two joints to an undercover officer" but it does not mention that Sinclair co-founded the "White Panther" party. Next, Lennon started giving money to the Black Panthers. This undoubtetly put him right into the Nixon administration's spotlight. Shortly after, the FBI, then run by J. Edgar Hoover, began tracking him. Not too long after that, the deportation papers arrived under the door. Thus began a long legal battle.

"The U.S. vs. John Lennon" gives a good general picture of Lennon's political activities in the 1970s. It effectively juxtaposes contemporary talking head interviews with historic footage from talk shows (notably Dick Cavett) and press conferences. No one should exit the theater confused as to why the Nixon administration found Lennon a threat. Overall, it is a deliciously entertaining and well-produced documentary.

What viewers won't get is a full picture of John Lennon. This movie does not attempt a "warts and all" portrayal. Lennon had flaws, like everyone else. He cheated on Yoko, had problems with drug addiction, showed some signs of messiah complex, wasn't always an ideal father, and sometimes wasn't open to criticism of himself or of his views. The film doesn't challenge viewers about the man behind the legend. Also, the good guys and bad guys get clearly delineated early on and don't really budge. In essence, "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" preaches to the converted. No skeptic will come out of this movie with a changed perspective. To be fair, the film does include antagonists such as G. Gordon Liddy and it lets J. Edgar Hoover and Richard Nixon speak for themselves via archival footage. But their presence doesn't have a leveling effect. It ultimately supports the film's perspective. Liddy's cigar story in particular will polarize viewers.

[...] Does the film mean to imply that Lennon's political activity was somehow correlated with his murder? Towards the end of the film, Yoko Ono says "I suppose they wanted to kill John." What does that mean? No explanation follows, but her pregnant phrase resonantes. This part of the film comes off fairly heavy-handed. Skeptics would dismiss it by saying "they're trying to make him a martyr." If the film was trying to suggest a conspiracy it should have developed that theme. Evidence would also help. Instead, it leaves Yoko's mysterious phrase. [...]

"The U.S. vs. John Lennon" demonstrates why John Lennon remains a highly controversial figure. He spoke for a fair section of his generation and put his fame to arguably good use. Like him or hate him, Lennon was no armchair celebrity. He outright challenged the Nixon administration while defying the public's stereotypes of fame. This film presents a side not often seen of the former Beatle. Some fans may wish to sweep this side under the carpet, but political activism will always remain a vital and undeniable part of John Lennon.

All We Are Saying Is Give Lennon a Chance
THE US VS. JOHN LENNON is a riveting documentary that shows how the judicial and immigration system works in the United States. John Lennon was placed under the microscope by President Nixon and the US FBI during the early 1970s because he posed as a threat to Nixon's political campaign, and an intense influence on the youth of America as a result of his music and iconoclastic image. Bottom line, the film focuses on Lennon's activism as well as the controversial and gray aspects of the meaning of activism and dissent.

Director David Leaf interweaves Lennon's music within the documentary with a collage of images of the mop-top Beatle to the bearded-hippie shouting for world peace from an Amsterdam hotel room alongside the press and fellow peers. The core participants and leaders of the late 1960s and early 1970s are presented in the film, such as John Sinclair, Angela Davis, J. Edgar Hoover, President Richard M. Nixon, and various writers and journalists who reported about Lennon. The interesting aspect are the recent interviews of those political activists who attempted to make a mark on society. Within Leaf's documentary is the past, but the political atmosphere of the present appears to parallel or bear similarities to the past.

THE US VS. JOHN LENNON is entertaining. In light of serious events that occurred in Lennon's life, he tend to press on. There are funny moments in the film as well as serious ones. But the film also presents the chilling aspects of the system of government, and the powers that be. Lennon may have been one the last influential figures of the 1960s who spoke and sang a thousand words to a generation that just wanted to be listened and understood, and politics did not stop him from creating his love of music for all to hear.

This film is highly recommended for all Lennon fans as well as those who would like to understand the relationship between politics and music.

See this movie and be inspired
"We came here to show and to say to all of you that apathy isn't it, that we can do something!"
~ John Lennon speaking at Ann Arbor's Crisler Arena in December 1971

And even as he was being investigated, tapped, followed and threatened with deportation for speaking out against the war in Viet Nam, John Lennon kept on talking and writing and singing about peace. Whether you're old enough to remember the late 1960s / early 1970s or not, this insightful and engaging documentary is a must-see portrait of one of this century's most influential, passionate and fascinating men in the
context of those times. You may be familiar with some of the photos, movie footage and interviews in the film - especially if you're an old timer like me :-) - but the artful way it's all put together is brilliant and the all-Lennon soundtrack pulsing like a heartbeat throughout is irresistible. Yoko Ono's narration is thoughtful and tasteful and she also contributed some never-before-seen photos and home movies. But the star of the show is John's own charismatic presence as musician, activist and man. And by the time the credits rolled to the tune of "Instant Karma... and we all shine on", I couldn't help but sing along as I walked out of the theater. This movie will inspire you. See it!