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American Pop [VHS] (1981)

Starring: Ralph Bakshi, Hilary Beane Director: Ralph Bakshi Rating: R (Restricted) Format: VHS Tape

4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews)

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DVD	$14.94	$13.49	42 used & new from $6.12
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Product Details

Actors: Ralph Bakshi, Hilary Beane, Robert Beecher, Gene Borkan, Beatrice Colen
Directors: Ralph Bakshi
Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
Language: English, Hebrew, Russian, Yiddish
Rating: R (Restricted)
Number of tapes: 1
Studio: Sony Pictures
VHS Release Date: March 31, 1998
Run Time: 95 minutes

Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews)

ASIN: 0800198778
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #250 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)
Popular in these categories: (What's this?)
#1 in Video > Cult Movies > Music & Musicals
#1 in Video > Animation > By Animator > Ralph Bakshi
#5 in Video > Drama > By Genre > Musicals

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Animator-director-screenwriter Ralph Bakshi audaciously tries to chronicle the history of 20th-century American popular music, while also placing each period into historical and social context--all in 97 minutes! Its animated, episodic narrative follows four generations of Jewish-American musicians as each painfully seeks fame through changing musical eras. Starting at the turn of the century with a piano-playing immigrant in New York, the film moves swiftly, following his offspring through such movements as Gershwin-era pop, jazz, folk music, '60s psychedelia, and punk--and only pauses for elaborate, energized musical numbers designed to showcase the work of Benny Goodman, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Lou Reed, the Jefferson Airplane, and numerous others. However, these electric set pieces provide brief dynamism in a relatively bleak film filled with hard-luck protagonists suffering through clichéd drug addiction, death, and alienation. While the film's scope is admirably ambitious, and Bakshi's stylized use of rotoscoping (tracing animation from live action) makes for fluid and often eye-popping visuals, his treatment also feels heavy handed and cuts numerous corners. And, when Baskshi ends his epic by mocking punk, and celebrating the future of rock & roll through the music of Bob Seger, one wonders whether or not he a knowledgeable grasp of his topic at all. The DVD version presents the film in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. --Dave McCoy

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Customer Reviews

43 Reviews

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

Average Customer Review

4.3 out of 5 stars (43 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully done!, March 1, 2001

By	Monty Moonlight (TX) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: American Pop (DVD)

As an artist and animation buff, I must say this film is a work of art. I'm not a big Bakshi fan either, I simply can't ignore the truth. There are definitely things about his style that annoy me, like his attraction to larger women, so much that they are practically all he uses. His, ugly yet honest style and his grim though realistic view of society. Honestly, what makes this film look so good is the rotoscoping. Now, I'm not saying every animation studio should take it up, but since most non-Disney animated films are so badly animated maybe it would be for the best. Anyway, the dialogue is great, though some of the protagonists could have been a lot more likable. I'm not saying that storywise this film is pleasant to watch, it's a pretty sad story, and even the victorius ending doesn't alter that. But speaking as someone who has seen tons and tons of animated films, this movie is so beautifully done that you can't take your eyes away from it no matter how depressing and sometimes annoying the story might get. Now I noticed one reviewer calling this film a failure because it was supposed to be a history of music and yet it had a few flaws here and there in its facts. This movie was in no way a failure as to what it set out to do. It was about perseverence, and destiny, and it's lesson about the evolution of music in America was beautifully executed. Don't believe those other reviewers. If you love beautiful animation, dialogue, and dramatic scenes, you'll appreciate this film. Don't buy it as a cartoon babysitter for your little kids though...

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of My Favorite Movies of All Time, October 28, 2003

By	Gil Velez "Dancehall and MMA Freak" (Morris Plains, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: American Pop (DVD)

I watched American Pop for the first time after seeing a promo for it on the Anniversary Edition DVD of Heavy Metal. I loved Heavy Metal so I figured why not try this one out since it seems to be of a similar genre. Boy was I glad I did...

Not only did I have no clue the movie was made in the early 80's wheh I watched it in 1999, but I was absolutely floored by the fluid animation that was produced by Bakshi's technique of Rotoscoping that was also used in Heavy Metal, Wizards, and Lord of the Rings...

The animation and story line were some of the best I have seen...in any movie!! I never watch many dvd's more than once but this one I have gotten through at least 5 times. It is an absolute masterpiece in animation and Bakshi's best work to date.

Rotoscoping animation is largely misunderstood and doesn't get enough credit. If more animation was done this way, adults would probably enjoy more non-Disneyesque type features geared towards older audiences.

Don't miss this flick if you are a fan of excellent animation...

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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best and most underrated rock n roll dvds!, December 26, 2005

By	W. gallegos "wg6175" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: American Pop (DVD)

I have seen so many rock magazines out there with its best rock movies list or reviews and for reasons I will never know,American Pop is rarely mentioned. Hello!!! Wake up critics! This is one of the best out there! It is the masterpiece from the artist who brought you The Lord of the rings and Fritz the cat. This is the story of 4 generations of young men trying to make it in the music industry. Taking place in New York during the early 1900's and ending in the late 1970's,each of the first 3 generations don't succeed for one reason or another with the last generation getting his big break giving this classic its happy ending. From the days of Vaudeville to the big band era to the summer of love to the punk era,this movie has it all. But to me,it is not just a rock n roll movie,it is a history book on dvd as well with such historic moments as the mobsters era,both world wars,the beatnik movement,and the drug problems of America,just to name a few. With music from legendary big band,jazz,and rock n roll legends,this dvd is for all age levels,though there might be a scene or two not recommended for the very young music lovers. This dvd may not be around long enough due to slow sales and lack of advertising so I recommend you buy this legendary and underrated animated rock dvd a.s.a.p.! Rock on!!!!!!!!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and underrated mature animated movie!

In the early 1900's a struggling Jewish family from Russia called the Blinkskies have fled to America in search of hope, the young boy named Zalmie becomes quite talented... Read more

Published 11 hours ago by John Lindsey

4.0 out of 5 stars A Family History of Music, Ambition, & Tragedy
American Pop is Ralph Bakshi's animated tale of a family's struggle to realize it's musical ambitions through the 20th Century. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Jym Cherry

5.0 out of 5 stars AMERICAN POP: Popular Music, and Fatherhood
The storyline is the BLOODLINE of Jewish immigrants, from Czarist Russia, through the DEVO counterculture. The mores of the time are depicted in the generational 'hiccups. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Dean Wall

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome!
this is a classic animated movie which really is one of my favorites of all time. really great for those with music/entertainment interests.

Published 9 months ago by Jeffrey Manwell

5.0 out of 5 stars I use it for my American History Class
I saw it in 1981 my first year of college.
I like the history in it and the music
I always tell my students "hey everyone you just heard in the video in this segment... Read more

Published 11 months ago by L. Duffey

4.0 out of 5 stars Impressive Pop
This is a classic. Visually stunning and engaging, it follows a family through several generations trying to make it in the entertainment industry. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Wolf Vanzandt

4.0 out of 5 stars An incredible dedication to American Pop music and culture
Probably the most outrageous animated film I've seen. You are never left doubting the creative vision of the filmmakers. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Penny Gilford

5.0 out of 5 stars An American classic by an American master...
An honest look at American pop music and the roots of it's pain and suffering buried beneath the commercial glitz of mass-media marketing. Read more

Published 17 months ago by DirkStar

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy with product
American pop came in a timely manner.
The item was packed well and the dvd plays wonderful.
I'm very happy with my product.
Sphinx

Published 19 months ago by Ilana Wilson

5.0 out of 5 stars A CLASSIC I GREW UP WITH!!!
I first saw this movie on cable TV when I was 11 years old in 1982. Having loved music since I could remember, I was immediately drawn to this film. Read more

Published 20 months ago by Anthony G. Zaino

› See all 43 customer reviews...

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