Review: D.A. Pennebaker is no slouch when it comes to filming, and in a lot of ways, he represents an all but dying breed of documentary filmmakers. His fly-on the wall approach to Don’t Look Back is breathtaking and even though it doesn’t provide viewers with a logical argument or flow, the documentary keeps filming where today’s directors would cut away, leaving audiences with the opportunity to participate in Bob Dylan’s world. What I love about Don’t Look Back, is that there is no premise, no argument, just a film. I honestly I’m not sure if Pennebaker liked Dylan or if he thought he was just the famous name that would be good to follow around. In fact, I don’t care to know, because I think knowing would ruin his work, because what he has developed is a truly beautiful, intimate portrait of Bob Dylan and his entourage. It’s real, and unabashedly honest. He shows the loveable moments of Dylan just performing with his friends to the quite negative moments with a drunken Dylan screaming at people for throwing bottles into the street. It’s just honest and real and quite frankly brilliant. My favorite moments vary from scenes where reporters are forced to endure Bob Dylan spewing his disgust for their questions, responses and publications. Not only does it make me fear ever interviewing the man, it makes me laugh ridiculously hard because these men and women make careers in getting to the heart of issues by “playing to” the people they interview, but with Dylan, the guy literally can’t be read. You support something he says and he turns around and argues against it. By the end of every interview it appears the journalists are so confused and upset all they want to do is leave… story or not. The other great moments are just Dylan performing. Whether in small groups with friends or performing before sold out crowds, the man truly appears to just love playing for the sake of the music. D.A. Pennebaker is marvelous at capturing this love, by letting the scenes unfold. Of particular note is the breathtaking final shot of Dylan’s last concert in England. Panning out to a wide shot of the entire concert with a lone light casting down on Dylan definitely shares in its religious metaphors, but whether you accept the imagery or not, it certainly captures the feelings this artist had for music in the 60s. Review by Matthew Abshire Informative: 4- you may not learn about his life, but you will definitely appreciate the man Entertainment: 5- If you love Bob Dylan, nay, music in general, you will love this portrait piece Technical: 4- this isn’t a film constructed by edited arguments, but is about letting the camera roll, allowing audiences to enter into each scene Overall: 4- brilliant look at Dylan’s British tour that reveals an intimate portrait of the folk singer
 
Format: DVD Year: 1967 Running Time: 96 Min Distributor: main company behind the film Producer: John Court and Albert Grossman Director: D.A. Pennebaker Date Reviewed: 3-2-2008 Story: In 1965, just months before Bob Dylan's controversial sound-switch from folk to electric guitar, D.A. Pennebaker documented the musician's British concert tour. Shot with a handheld camera in black-and-white, the behind-the-scenes film follows Dylan from limo to hotel room as he relaxes with friends, antagonizes the press and deals with managers. Dylan's then-girlfriend, Joan Baez, and musicians Donovan and Alan Price make appearances (NetFlix).