The Day the Music Died

Like pjtexas I'm puzzled by the negative comments, I found the film fascinating. The film was about more than 'Don and the song', and continuing interpretations of the lyrics - that's been done to death. It was about the enduring impact of American Pie on listeners. I hadn't heard of Jade Bird either (though I'm also English), but the point was that she wanted to record a song written by another 25 year-old singer-songwriter 50 years ago. Neither song nor film may be technically perfect, but it's how they make you feel. I'm not just English, I'm an emotionally reserved Brit - but I was moved by both. Good job chaps!

You can always tell the peeps that didn't live through those times. It was more than just about the music. It was more about the emotions of that time and how the lyrics were woven into the times.

Lots of commentary from people that don't need to be talking- why?

Feels like a grab to draw people who wouldn't otherwise give it a second thought; Garth Brooks? Come on, completely unnecessary. Some girl who no one's heard of, Grand Rapids making a video, boomers opining on their desire to take over the world with 'Peace and Love!!', Peter Gallagher's reading something, Weird Al, point is, a lot of people yammering on about something they had nothing to do with trying to make this longer than it needs be.

Just some insight from McLean, HIS ORIGINAL VERSION, HIS explanations, his story, what he meant to do and what it means today. That's it. That's all you needed. Instead it's hours long and listening to people with no business singing it, singing it.

Just a complete waste of what could have been.

A very scatter shot Doc that was also repetitive. I don't want to sit through it twice to verify, but I'm pretty sure they cut to the same quotes from Garth Brooks 4 times in some cases. A lot of time watching... some female artist... recording her version because... maybe she's famous in Europe? Even, if instead of her, it was Paul McCartney, we didn't tune in to see Paul in the studio. We want to hear Don talk about the song. We all know about the Genesis of the first verse, but if you didn't already know the song, you'd be pretty sure it must be 90% about Buddy Holly.

{Side note: They obviously talk a lot about Buddy Holly and some about Ritchie Valens - and play a little of two of his songs - but - though the mention "The Big Bopper" they don't even tell you/mention the name of any of his songs - odd}

Near the end they remembered they should ask Don what some of the imagery was about and he rushed through it like he knew they had to catch a plane.

A wasted opportunity.

Editing: Rehashing the same chunks of interview video and audio became annoying rather quickly.

Time: Lasted about half an hour more than necessary.

Content: Spent an inordinate amount of time reviewing the history of the plane crash, and having other musicians praising & covering McLean's work..

Listened to the song hundreds of times during my youth, and it is still an amazing tune, but this documentary just felt contrived and shallow.