Product Description

This DVD Set is a 2-disc documentary covering Dylans life and music from his schooldays to his conversion in the late 1970s to fundamental Christianity. With contributions from colleagues as diverse as his high school English teacher, his school friends

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #84668 in DVD
• Brand: MUSIC VIDEO DIST
• Released on: 2007-07-17
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Best of, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 120 minutes

Customer Reviews

A truly quality analysis of Dylan's Recordings!
This two DVD set produced in 2004 - and just now being made available in the US - packs two different documentaries - one on Dylan's early years in Minnesota and moving to NYC through the "going electric at Newport" period; the other from 1968 through 1978 period (at which time he found God - into one "boxed set). The packaging is deceivingly simple as this loks like another of those "unauthorized biographies" out there on DVD. But this is a real class act!

The producers sought out some of the major players in Dylan's career - like bassist Rob Stoner, folk musician Martin Carthy, and the owners of the major Greenwich Village folk clubs and did extensive interviews. Then there are the Dylan "experts": British music writers and biographers who, not only know the details, but can speak with passion and enthusiasm. (and then there are the "footnotes" to Dylan's career like AJ Weberman, who collected Dylan's trash (really) and comes across as quite weird in the recent interviews.

I'm only a fringe Dylan fan but he's part of our musical heritage so the more I know the better. I learned a lot as this 3-1/2 story unfolded in chronological order and I know I'll be seeking out some of the lesser-known Dylan albums based on what I learned. There are no "official" Dylan recordings on either disc (though there are brief clips from "The Last Waltz"). The soundtrack is by a Dylan cover band. And there's little archival footage. It's mostly the interviews. But the interviewees are SO interesting, and the editing so well done, that I never felt I was watching just "talking heads".

So if you are a true Dylan fan, you'll find this set fascinating. If, like me, you know just the big "hits" (or his forays into film - which are also discussed) then you'll learn a lot from this release.



Steve RAmm
"Anything Phonographic"

A must-have for Dylan fans
This documentary, covering Dylan's start in music to his conversion to Christianity, brings two DVDs together into one package: Tales from a Golden Age: Bob Dylan 1941-1966 and After the Crash: Bob Dylan 1966-1978.

Interviews with Dylan, more footage of him performing and the use of Dylan's own music are the only things that could have made this collection better. But since this is an unauthorized documentary, we only get a few seconds of Dylan performing at the Isle of Wight and with Johnny Cash on the second DVD. The background music sounds like Dylan but is not performed by him.

Aside from these minor drawbacks, Dylan's life and career are fleshed-out by a variety of music critics, friends and fellow musicians. Hailing from the U.K. and U.S. they provide much more than dry analysis. We get warm reminiscing from people who appreciate Dylan's work. In addition to showing how vital he was in shaping modern music, we see his humanity and the influences that molded him. The critics expertly dissect his every album.

What intrigues me is how much they see. Their work is utterly fascinating. Like prophets they amplify the message of the songs. This is especially helpful when dealing with a person as mysterious as Bob Dylan, who can keep everyone guessing.

The narration, editing and video of this British production are excellent. You don't have to be a fan to appreciate the production quality and the insightful analysis. Why Dylan would not contribute and authorize these documentaries is a mystery. He's not portrayed in a negative light, and this serves as a tribute to a productive career that continues to this day.

This leaves you wanting to know the rest of the story. Let's hope for more installments.

4.5 stars

Beware
Save your money on this one---a complete waste. No footage of Dylan and no audio either---stick to the dvd's with the autual man himself appearing, talking and singing