Customer Reviews

Kerouac [VHS]

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I bought this video when it first came out, and it's been one of my 'treasures' since. The 'dramatisation' footage may seem odd, but, if you've seen E! True Hollywood Story, it really isn't. They might have chosen an actor with more charisma, but it's really not that big of a deal. Because the documentary talks to many of his friends and fellow writers, and the best part: when Kerouac himself, in his prime, reads from the then just-published book, "On The Road" (a clip from the 1950s Steve Allen tv show; but high quality video; it could be from today). Pure magic there. He's so shy and polite and yet so charismatic ! The film is worth it just for that one scene. Steve Allen plays piano improv accompaniment as Kerouac reads. It's really neat. Oh, and in color I might add ! I recommend this video highly if you are a fan of Kerouac (or Steve Allen !) or the Beats-- or both. The scenes of his home town add a nice context, too. I like this one also because it does not slam him or focus on the downside of fame, embarrassing moments etc. It really shows him at his best.

Worth any price just to see Jack read on the Steve Allen show. As Jack reads, "I wrote the book 'cuz we're all gonna die." You can't be more succinct than that. Put this together with "The Source" and "The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg" and you have a fairly complete history of the Beats. Excellent!

This is the worst document on Kerouac, bad acting and the documentary bits can be found elswhere, you want somthing on Kerouac? Get ''What happened to Kerouac'' that's all you need.