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Bob Dylan, Paul Nelson, Dick Kangas, B.J. Rolfzen, Liam Clancy ... see more see more... , Allen Ginsberg , Joan Baez , Maria Muldaur , Mavis Staples , Pete Seeger , Al Kooper , Bob Johnston , D.A. Pennebaker , Peter Yarrow

Renowned director Martin Scorsese's documentary No Direction Home: Bob Dylan chronicles the career of the singer and songwriter during the tumultuous years between 1961 and 1966. Dylan allowed Scorses... read more read more...e to have access to hours of footage that had never before been made public, including a number of live performances, and footage of Dylan in the recording studio creating some of his landmark albums from the period. Dylan sits for an extensive interview, as does a variety of people who worked with him during this time period, including Joan Baez and fellow songwriter Pete Seeger. The film debuted on PBS stations around the country on September 26, 2005. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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94% liked it

8,963 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

14 critics

G, 3 hr. 27 min.

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Release Date: July 21, 2005

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DVD Release Date: September 20, 2005

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Stats: 735 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (735)

  • fb1664868775
    October 28, 2011
    fb1664868775
    Probably the best music documentary I've seen. This masterpiece focuses as much on the roots of Dylan as Dylan himself.
  • binky013
    January 19, 2009
    binky013
    Great for what it covers, especially the actual Dylan interviews Scorsese carries on with him "now." There's nothing better than hearing Dylan talk about Dylan. Now if only Scorsese could do a documentary that brings us up to the present.
  • drago25
    September 23, 2007
    drago25
    A compelling and essential documentary about arguably the greatest American singer/songwriter of all time. Directed by the comparably great Martin Scorsese, No Direction Home is essential viewing for both die hard and passive Dylan fans (and really, who isn't in some way a Bob Dy... read morelan fan?), as it details his career from its start until the late 60s; the most important part of his development as an artist, and the most interesting. I can most easily compare this film with Bukowski: Born Into This, which is an essential, brilliant doc about Charles Bukowski told largely from the perspective of the man himself. Here one particular Dylan interview is cut throughout the film and adds to and comments on the other perspectives at work. And also, like Born Into This used Buk's poetry to no small effect, No Direction Home is riddled with awesome footage of live performances and song recordings, many of which are studio takes which probably can't be heard anywhere else. I really can't recommend this enough. Its a brilliant, sprawling documentary about the most important American musician of all time, made by one of the most important American filmmakers of our time - now that should be plenty of incentive!
  • mjgildea
    October 25, 2006
    mjgildea
    The only Bob Dylan documentary you will ever need to see.
  • michaelcorleone
    March 16, 2010
    michaelcorleone
    Martin Scorsese is a legendary director for many reasons, all of which are visible in this epic documentary. Studying one of my favorite musicians, Scorsese demonstrates yet again how well he can craft a story and meld imagery and music. Although this is an expansive and extremel... read morey detailed film, Dylan's enigmatic status is maintained. Required viewing for fans of Bob Dylan or the director.
  • toejambaseball24
    February 22, 2008
    toejambaseball24
    Such a thorough and immersive documentary about not-so-arguably the greatest songwriter of all time. Clocking it at nearly 3 1/2 hours, you can't help but get so much insight into Dylan's thought life, personality, and his musical influences. The film is directed toward hardcore ... read moreBob Dylan fans, so it's not for everybody...only for everybody that matters ;)
  • kit85
    March 8, 2006
    kit85
    I like Bob Dylan
  • mbriandev
    August 3, 2010
    mbriandev
    Probably the greatest documentary film to really capture Dylan's life, from birth to the late 60s. Dispersed throughout are various interviews with Dylan where he recollects on the different events of his life, from childhood all the way until the end of the 1960s, where he suff... read moreered a nervous and mental breakdown on tour in Europe.

    Probably the greatest part of the documentary are the scenes where Dylan goes electric and the chaos that ensues. From Pete Seeger threatening to "unplug" him to the fans shouting "Judas!" at him in England, this is certainly the most potent image of the backlash Dylan experienced when he turned his back on the traditional folk audience. A fantastic portrait of a poetic genius and a contemporary musical hero.
  • llj60
    May 14, 2009
    llj60
    If you love biographys and documentaries this is superb. Espically if you worship Bob's talents as a gifted poet
  • shawnmiller2
    January 16, 2009
    shawnmiller2
    Great documentary by Scorsese...

    Love Dylan so this was fun to watch and learn things that I didn't know...

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Critic Reviews

Glenn Abel
September 27, 2005
Glenn Abel, Hollywood Reporter

As good as it gets in music documentaries.

Roger Ebert
September 21, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Creates a portrait that is deep, sympathetic, perceptive and yet finally leaves Dylan shrouded in mystery, which is where he properly lives. Full Review

Phil Gallo
September 12, 2005
Phil Gallo, Variety

A document that will satiate Dylan fans over repeated viewings and should bring naysayers into the Dylan fold. Full Review

Ryan Cracknell
October 8, 2006
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views

Framed by tons of rare footage, No Direction Home penetrates the soul of one of modern music's greatest icons - at least as much as Dylan will let us. Full Review

Gregory Weinkauf
August 29, 2006
Gregory Weinkauf, ÜberCiné

A competent but fawning, focusless and utterly overlong tribute to a terribly mediocre entertainer who 'sings' like a bumblebee barfing. Bloated Boomers, feel free to be interred with a copy. Soon. Full Review

Kurt Loder
February 7, 2006
Kurt Loder, MTV

Anyone with more than a superficial interest in rock music and its possibilities should either see this film or own it. Full Review

Ethan Alter
November 2, 2005
Ethan Alter, NYC Film Critic

Robert Zimmerman achieved his dream of becoming a singer, but in doing so he surrendered the ability to define himself on his own terms. Full Review

Thomas Delapa
October 21, 2005
Thomas Delapa, Boulder Weekly

Scorsese's superbly researched biography brings it all back home, confirming Dylan as the troubadour genius of sixties rock 'n' roll. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
October 20, 2005
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Scorsese assembles an impressive amount of footage and interviews -- many more candid that anyone could feasibly expect. Full Review

Michael Szymanski
October 15, 2005
Michael Szymanski, International Press Academy

One of the best music documentaries ever of one of the most unusual musicians ever...

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