Customer Reviews

The Doors: From the Outside

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I can see why some people may not like this documentary.It's dry and British.Yet,it's a wonderful look at what the critics,then and now,think about their music.In 1971,the psychedelic tide had ebbed out.And left many bands ,high and dry.The Doors' music lives on and is still able to find new listeners,generation after generation.This documentary is slow and almost scientific in its approach to explain the 'Doors' influence.If you are a die-hard fan,you'll love this DVD.If you wanted a lot of music,you'll be disappointed here.The Doors were one of the few bands,that was able to ride the vibe and survive,with its unique Blues/Jazz/Hard rock sound.The lyrics were poetic and erudite.And still perfect for Top 40 radio.Oliver Stone's film was entertaining,yet only about thirty percent accurate.And most friends of Jimbo agree that the Lizard King would not have been happy with the film.This documentary also closes with the ambiguity of Morrison's death.Almost all agree his health was poor,so his death was not that big of a shock.But,his Parisian friends felt his health and mood was improving.I feel Morrison was set-up,perhaps by the CIA.Jim's father was a big-wig in the navy,and serving in Vietnam,during the Doors successful launch.Ironically,the Doors were the most popular radio music,over the GI air-waves.Jim having felt distant from his parents,claimed they were even 'dead'.Jim's death has always been shrouded in mystery.I think a pausible story is that the CIA,were closing in on Jim and Pamela Courson.Jim's soul-mate and anima gemella,Pamela,operated a successful L.A. fashion shoppe.While at the Left Bank,Pam sent Jim to pick up some 'packages' for her,at the Rock-n-Roll Circus discotheque.When Jim arrived he encountered the two drug couriers was soundly roughed-up by the two dark-clothed dudes and left in the loo.Jim was helped out,by fellow clubbers, and taken back to his flat.They put him in the bath-tub.And Pamela was then faced with a huge dilemma.If she called the police,her involvement with the drug-dealers would be fully exposed.Whether quick medical attention would have revived him is unknown.Jim expired in the tub,and she needed to have the body quickly interned,before the police became suspicious of 'foul-play' and 'drug-connections'.She was able to have the death ruled 'natural',within two days.Most believed it because of Morrison's depression, bloated frame and declined state of health.This documentary doesn't mention this version,yet does leave the window open to various possiblities of his final where-abouts.This documentary is a must for every true fan of the 'Doors'.

"The Doors from The Outside" is a documentary released last year that has interviews with some of the people who were able to objectively view (in most cases) The Doors from the outside of their circle. Interviewed are mostly rock journalists who were around when The Doors were actively recording and performing.

"The Doors from the Outside" goes through the recording history of The Doors with a nice amount of time given to each album with the journalist's commenting and critiquing The Doors albums. I found the critiques to be insightful and whether I agreed with the assessment or not that they were well informed assessments. The DVD runs a bit over 2 hours and includes archival footage of The Doors that the box says "is the rarest footage..." Most of the footage is known, I only noticed a few rare things or things I haven't seen before towards the end. But the centerpiece and attraction of the DVD are the interviews. People such as Richie Unterberger, Billy James, Richard Goldstein, Robert Christgau, Johnny Rogan, James Riordan, Doug Sundling, Marc Benno and Patricia Kennealy. Some of the interviews are superfluous, only needed to establish the early history of The Doors. Some are insightful and thoughtful, Richard Goldstein being an outstanding example. Marc Benno, who played guitar on L.A. Woman, has some surprisingly insightful remarks about Jim Morrison.

It does tease the panel discussion from the Critique show that The Doors did in the aftermath of the Miami incident, it isn't shown. As far as I know that panel discussion moderated by Goldstein and with Patricia Kennealy, Al Aronowitz, and Roscoe (a DJ) has never been seen. I think it's something Doors fans would like to see. Why it wasn't included on The Doors Soundstage I'll never know or understand.

This DVD does feature Patricia Kennealy rather prominently. Not only is she included in the interviews of the main body of the documentary, but she's the highlight of the special features with an interview in which she's pontificating on all things Morrison. Billed on this package as Patricia Morrison, Kennealy is a lightening rod in The Doors community. Whether you believe all that she says or take it with a grain of salt what she says, it's up to the viewer to decide.

Overall it's a nice package. Maybe something that's not a must have for fans, but something that will interest fans and adds to the collective knowledge of The Doors.

same old story,not much new here,goldstien from rolling stone is the only reason i gave it a 3 star.he gave a different insite to what jim morrison was trying to do,something i had never seen on video,read about but not on video.the other reivewers on here dont have the clue as to what the story is about ,they just sucked!

For such a "talented person", she seems to continue to capitalize on her "marriage" to Morrison. Guess she didn't make enough money on the book she wrote under her "married" name. Like the other reviewer indicated - its been almost 40 years - how much more information can there be and can anyone trust the "memories"? Lets just enjoy the fabulous music of the Doors and videos.