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Stew Albert, John Lennon, Tariq Ait Ben Ali, Carl Bernstein, Robin Blackburn ... see more see more... , Chris Charlesworth , Noam Chomsky , Walter Cronkite , Mario Cuomo , Angela Davis , John Dean , Felix Dennis , David Fenton , Bob Gruen , Ron Kovic , Paul Krassner , Yoko Ono , G. Gordon Liddy , George McGovern , Elliot Mintz , David Peel , Dan Richter , Geraldo Rivera , John C. 'Jack' Ryan , Bobby Seale , John Sinclair , Tom Smothers , M. Wesley Swearington , Jon Treen , Gore Vidal , Jon Wiener , Leon Wildes , Jon Weiner , Richard Nixon

Filmmakers David Leaf and John Scheinfeld offer a compelling look at the efforts of the United States government to silence one of rock & roll's most outspoken war critics in this documentary detailin... read more read more...g the Vietnam-era struggle between the Richard Nixon administration and iconic peace activist John Lennon. The Vietnam War was raging and the nightly news was filled with stories of failed offensives and massacred U.S. troops. As anti-war protests back home gained momentum, it was the hopeful voice of former Beatle Lennon that served to perfectly encapsulate the frustrations felt by many citizens that the U.S. had gotten caught up in an quagmire from which there was seemingly no end in sight. There's a high price to be paid for standing strong in your beliefs and openly criticizing the ruling elite, though, and now, through interviews with those who knew him best and revealing glimpses into an era where all hope seemed lost, filmmakers finally uncover the truth behind the Nixon administration's highly classified efforts to isolate and eventually deport the man whose powerful words threatened to actually make sense in a world slowly suffocated by the grip of insanity. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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70% liked it

17,991 ratings

Critics

77% liked it

94 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: David Leaf, John Scheinfeld

Release Date: September 29, 2006

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DVD Release Date: February 13, 2007

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Stats: 1,088 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,088)

  • RemiLogan
    November 7, 2010
    RemiLogan
    I love a good documentary. It's weird, I can appreciate a good Beatles documentary, yet I prefer covers of their music as opposed to the original. Having said that, this was a good eye-opening film about John Lennon's going from musician to activist for peace and how the US gover... read morenment didn't take too kindly to it.
  • trisarahtops22
    August 19, 2007
    trisarahtops22
    Interesting documentary that draws an uneasy parallel between the Vietnam & Iraq wars.
  • KLFilmmaker
    June 20, 2007
    KLFilmmaker
    Give peace a chance.
  • jeffreyleppart1
    February 6, 2012
    jeffreyleppart1
    John Lennon remains today as one of the most legendary pop culture icons in history. Though millions are fans of his music and his involvement with the Beatles, not everyone may realize how targeted he was. Not only by the man who assassinated him over 30 years ago, but by the Un... read moreited States government in general, due mainly to his anti-Vietnam stance and the millions who followed him. Through interviews and footage galore in this film, all should get a thorough glimpse into this extraordinarily famous man and what his views and actions have imprinted on our culture.
    David Leaf and John Scheinfeld direct their first feature documentary here (with previous experience directing TV documentaries) and come off as credible almost instantly. Interviews with notable Lennon experts (with most feedback coming unsurprisingly from his widowed wife, Yoko Ono) make up the bulk of the film, and some of them get surprisingly graphic as many seem to still be dealing with his death. His life in general is presented informatively and hardly any detail is skipped, but his activity in politics and viewpoints towards the war at the time seemed to make him known for something more than just a musician. But this worked against him plenty of the time, especially his notorious remark about his band being more popular than Jesus. America's victory with the war, however may just not have happened without his part in the whole scenario.
    A film not only entertaining but also educational, one studying the Vietnam War may learn a great deal from watching this and his devout fans may see him in a new light. Yoko Ono also speaks openly on many things she likely has kept inside for several decades. The film also proves a point that pop culture is more essential to world history than anyone may expect.
  • ristrawn
    October 6, 2009
    ristrawn
    good & real about the misuse of power & the Government not adhering to the US constitution... My observation of history repeating itself recently... I'm more a Lennon fan now...
  • DustinP83
    April 3, 2009
    DustinP83
    An interesting and enjoyable documentary. I'm not really a big Beatles fan, but I find John Lennon's activism to be intriguing. Don't expect a documentary on The Beatles, this is strictly about Lennon's crusade to spread his message of peace to the world.
  • lucidartz
    March 17, 2009
    lucidartz
    Why do they always kill the ones that will actually bring about good change in the world? I love this movie so much, it touches my heart
  • limoradalloway
    December 17, 2008
    limoradalloway
    Excellent. John Lennon was an absolute artist, through and through. This movie gave me the respect I didn't realize Yoko deserves.
  • manwithnobrain
    July 18, 2008
    manwithnobrain
    very cool. i love lennon and wasn't aware of all the political stuff he was involved with. nice to shine light on that aspect.
  • SonnyLighstrome
    January 15, 2008
    SonnyLighstrome
    A great film showing the story behind the story of how Lennon changed from musician to activist....and the people in charge who didn't like that and tried to kick him out of the country for it. Definitely worth watching.

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Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
November 24, 2006
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

By the time The U.S. vs. John Lennon is done, the filmmakers have reinforced the sense that pop music once produced prophets, as well as profits. Full Review

Peter Travers
November 24, 2006
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Lennon's spirit, like his music, shines through this movie like a beacon.

Bill Muller
October 12, 2006
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

Humanizing Lennon to those who might find the man a bit inaccessible, and adding the word 'courage' to his long list of positive attributes. Full Review

Peter Howell
September 29, 2006
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

Documentarians David Leaf and John Scheinfeld go beyond the usual glibness, revealing a much fuller portrait of the man. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
September 29, 2006
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Concentrates on Lennon's post-Beatles years, in which he did a lot of great work that's overlooked today, and it's good to have a lot shown on that period. Full Review

Bruce Westbrook
September 29, 2006
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle

The film's first half has zero to do with its title, and its second half digs up familiar turf. Full Review

Rick Groen
September 29, 2006
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

The aim may be laudable, but nothing gets hit except some awfully tired targets. And fatigue doesn't resonate. Full Review

Terry Lawson
September 29, 2006
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Entertaining, and a history lesson in hysteria (both on the side of Nixon and the protest movement) for people who were not there. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
September 29, 2006
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Probably should be seen as an addendum to a much larger story of turmoil in the U.S., but it does have something that elevates a now-familiar story of protest and dissent: plenty of footage of Lennon ...

Michael Booth
September 29, 2006
Michael Booth, Denver Post

Works by reminding us of Lennon's best qualities: His impish, imperturbable sense of humor, his quick intelligence, his successful bantering with a hostile crush of world press mercenaries. Full Review

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