Product Details

• Actors: Hemp Revolution
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Vanguard Cinema
• VHS Release Date: August 14, 2001
• Run Time: 75 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304903073
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,953 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Making a hemp advocacy documentary is an uphill cinematic battle because of the unintentional humor that surfaces. It is difficult to keep a straight face when you're told that hemp can be used to build "anything from a 2x4 to the body of a stealth jet bomber"; or how hemp packaging would allow you to "eat the container for dessert" in fast-food joints; or that commercial hemp could be "the greatest economic engine in the history of the human race." Of course, the truth is that these assertions are perfectly legitimate. Unfortunately, hemp has become so marginalized in our society that the myriad benefits of the substance appear as ridiculous pipe dreams, when in fact they are achievable realities.

Australian producer-director Anthony Clarke does a commendable job in researching and outlining hemp's numerous strengths. He loosely divides his work into six sections--hemp for paper, textiles, fuel, medicine, and "inspiration" and the U.S. government's role in squelching all of these uses--supplying substantial and convincing evidence throughout. Clarke also puts hemp in its proper historical context and examines the combination of dubious forces--DuPont, Hearst, racist groups, and a commissioner of narcotics named Harry Anslinger, who had time (and idle employees) on his hands because of the repeal of prohibition--that led to hemp's criminalization in 1938. Clarke talks with a range of people to illustrate his points, from well-known authorities such as Dr. Lester Grinspoon and Dr. Andrew Weil to the head of the Netherlands' drug policy to Everyman hemp-seed chefs and hemp outfitters.

In a few spots, the less-than-elegant production--visible in the hemp fashion montage, the cheap semi-psychedelic visual effects, the noodling musical interludes, and the slow-motion shots of the big, bad cops--weakens the film's impact. Yet overall, Clarke offers a comprehensive, fact-filled, often touching statement that vividly identifies the villains (pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and logging industries; the federal government) and the victims (farmers, patients, people). --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars End the lies about cannabis!, October 15, 2000

By	Colin D. Donoghue (New Mexico) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If I could only recommend one video ever again this would be it. This video clearly explains the truth about the cannabis plant. It includes the history of cannabis prohibition (how and why it began), the plants many extremely beneficial uses (paper, fuel, medicine, food, pesticide-free clothing...) that can save our environment from the destruction caused by industries that care more about profit then the effects of their actions. This very well made documentary clearly shows how cannabis can end all pollution as we know it, deforestation, feed the starving, and heal the sick from many different fatal diseases and ailments. And for consumption it is one of the safest substances know to man, the stories of brain damage, addiction,etc. are a continuation of the lies that began with the "reefer madness" propaganda at the beginning of prohibition in the 1930's. This video contains the information that has been suppressed by the petroleum oil, logging, and pharmaceutical industries and our federal government, who have become economically bound to these companies that would lose billions in profit or even collapse if this plant was free to be used again. You don't believe it? Watch this video, research the facts, and then decide for yourself. . Lend this video to everyone you know and speak out against the lies that continue to be told to our children.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The War on Hemp. , January 29, 2005

By	Bernard Chapin "Ora Et Labora!" (CHICAGO! USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Hemp Revolution (DVD)

This was an inspiring documentary as it unearths many of the prevalent lies about marijuana and the non-THC containing hemp plant. I will admit though that the quality of this documentary really is not worth four stars, as the soundtrack is embarrassing and the footage is technically pretty weak, but its central thesis is irrefutable because hemp, and marijuana, have been unfairly and irrationally vilified by the United States government. Marijuana should be de-criminalized at once or, at the very least, moved down to a Schedule II narcotic (just as the drug derived from the plant, Marinol, is). Mr. Clarke's thorough depiction of hemp as a plant possessing wideranging uses and application was quite valuable. Here, the director did not rely on emotion alone but presented logical arguments for the way in which hemp is a superior, and sustainable, way to produce paper in the twenty-first century. Not making use of the non-THC containing hemp plant is ridiculous and it's just another reason why we should downsize the DEA. Hemp is easy to grow in any climate and we now need a leader with a bit of courage to stand up to the technocrats who infest our government. "Hemp Revolution" is a much needed work. I just wish more people saw it.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Hemp Revolution - that stupidly hasn't yet happened, July 4, 2008

By	William Wilson "Seffnerman" (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Hemp Revolution (DVD)

Great, informative video. A perfect example of how money and politics trump good common sense.