Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21533 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-09-10
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 95 minutes

Synopsis
David Leaf and John Scheinfeld struggled for over 15 years to produce this documentary, and it's emergence in the year 2006 is a testament to the film's timeliness. THE U.S. VS. JOHN LENNON focuses on a part of the music icon's life that is often overlooked: his politicisation both during and after the Vietnam War. Towards the end of the Beatles' career, Lennon began taking the band in a new direction, using their popularity to circulate a message of peace in songs such as ‘Revolution’. He became even more involved after the band broke up, and the film traces his growing awareness and dissent through both archival footage--much of which had lain forgotten in vaults for decades--and interviews with those close to him. This leads to the titular case, in which the U.S. government, which had already been monitoring his actions for some time, attempted to deport the star for fear of the threat he posed to the nation. The film also portrays Lennon's close relationship with Yoko Ono and the effect she had on his art, including an interview with the Japanese performance artist and muse that sheds much light on the couple's intimate history. Other interviews feature such luminaries as Mario Cuomo, Gore Vidal, Walter Cronkite, Angela Davis, and even G. Gordon Liddy, the former chief operative under Richard Nixon. The film avoids falling into the trap of one-dimensional idolatry, showing Lennon's politicisation as reflective of his own spiritual path, a very personal, at times fallible, journey towards using his fame to make the world a better place. The constraints and depletion of civil liberties Lennon experienced at the hands of the U.S. government, then in the throws of a neo-McCarthyism, invite comparisons to politics in 2006. The creative ways he fought for expression and peace, meanwhile, expand upon the known brilliance of a remarkable figure.

Customer Reviews

Fascinating and disturbing
This documentary film detailed the disturbing lengths that the Nixon administration went to in order to silence the political powerhouse that was John Lennon.

From his support of John Sinclair, the Black Panthers and his outspoken views on Vietnam and various other issues, Lennon was perhaps the musician who has been the greatest thorn in 'the establishment's' side. Yet he would not compromise the freedom of speech which is supposed to be an integral part of life in the West.

As the documentary progresses, I became more and more impressed and admiring of Lennon's refusal to ever back down and go away. Instead, he used his great influence over young people to promote the causes which mattered to him, which in my opinion, is the way it should be. He was a man of great substance.

This documentary also shows Yoko Ono Lennon in a far more positive light than she has been shown in the past, as the documentary shows clips of her with Lennon, also speaking her mind. The body language between the two suggests a deep, loving bond, and a special feature of Yoko reading out the letter which she wrote after one of Mark David Chapman's many appeals was particularly moving.

But perhaps the most striking thing about this fascinating documentary was the deceitful nature of American politics. It concentrates particularly on the deceit and subterfuge of Richard Nixon, and his sly attempts to try and silence Lennon, including various failed attempts at having him deported. The clips of Lennon speaking are amusing, as his defiance, wit and charisma shines through. What's particularly amusing is just how threatening a figure of popular culture can be to politicians. I think this would indicate that people have greater interest in artists than politicians, possibly because people realise how profoundly corrupt the vast majority of politicians are. No, they cannot be trusted, but there's very little in the way of options when people are forced into a so-called 'democracy' from birth.

I would praise this documentary whole-heartedly, and it would no doubt be of interest to both fans of Lennon and those who aren't particularly familiar with him. I feel that this documentary is vital for young people in particular, so that the younger generation can gain some insight into what a true legend is, a man who is prepared to put his neck on the line for justice and truth. Lord knows, music will probably never have anyone like that again.

A Gross Misrepresentation of an Artist.
The U.S. vs. John Lennon

I have nothing but problems with this documentary. Firstly, this is a manipulated version of the events. The seal of `Authorized' has cost this documentary its impartiality and honesty.

This documentary has all the hallmarks of a Yoko Ono production. She is portrayed as a sympathetic talented artist with a heart of gold and inseparable if not the catalyst of John Lennon's emerging talent. So the message of this poor documentary is that `John would have been nothing without Yoko!'

Not once is Julian Lennon mentioned in this perversion of History. Julian suffered all his young life with the pain of being ignored and rejected by his own Father. Yet when Yoko's son is born it is reported as if this experience is revelatory and the only one of significance.

John and Yoko were having relationship problems before he died. In fact John was sleeping with another Asian girl introduced to him by Yoko. When John started to fall for her, Yoko terminated the relationship.

It is a crime that John Lennon's legacy and fortune are in the hands of Yoko Ono who has proved on numerous occasions how morally malleable she is. Julian Lennon on the other hand is forced to go to auctions to bid for articles that once belonged to his dad. He still to this day not received a penny of John Lennon's wealth.

The final insult to John's memory is having a sell-out like Geraldo Rivera comment on his life.

The legend goes on
Great if you are a Lennon fan, he knew what he was talking about. If he was still alive he would now be shouting from the rooftops....."Peace in Iraq and Afganistan"........The Legend goes on!