Rainbow Bridge

I saw this movie when it came out, and was a bit disappointed at the time. I was in the movie as an extra and was paid free lunches during shooting and a free Hendrix concert on the side of Haliakala (sp?) volcano. The concert alone was worth the standing around and waiting to "act" in scenes. It was a great concert, I remember Foxy Lady and Purple Haze as highlights. The concert seemed to last most of the afternoon, he played lots of songs. One sort of silly thing (in hindsight) they had us do was sit grouped according to our astrological sign. I think they had 12 speakers, one focused on each group so Jimi could direct where the sound was focused while he played. I won't go into the theories behind this, it didn't seem to work out.

I don't think Hendrix showed up for the film till the day of or slightly before the concert. Most of the filming was done by then as I recall. Jimi Hendrix gave a great performance that day.

I felt the need to give my opinion of this film, Rainbow Bridge, as a previous reviewer had left me cold with a rather incredulous review which I felt was a bit harsh, at times downright nasty in judging certain people ("She is obviously an uneducated moron"), shallow ("She is also buck-toothed and ugly") as well as egotistically presumptuous ("How did Hendrix fall in love with her?" which implies an ability to know what is right for other people more so that those people themselves)... This isn't me slamming some other reviewer; I'm simply attempting to provide an open-minded and fair counter balance… In my review you will find no attacks or judgments of other people (maybe criticisms of their attitudes, but nothing personal), or any naive presumptions of wisdom ("a obviously deluded earth-mother..." etc) So what kind of audience will Rainbow Bridge appeal to? Well, it will not be to everyone's taste, that's for sure. The most obvious audience are die-hard Hendrix fans and people who are into surfing films. But if you have an open mind and enjoy quirky 60's films, you might like this too (yeah yeah, I know it was filmed in 1970 and came out in '72, but lets not get pedantic about it ;-) In Rainbow Bridge, the validity of the psychedelic experience as a means of transcending normal human perception is debated. The pros and cons of such a method are discussed, and comparisons made between the effects of psychedelic substances and that of various meditation and yoga practices. The conclusion seems to be that psychedelics can be effective to a point, but are ultimately futile/counter-productive as a method in itself. However, this discussion, and that of extra-terrestrial life is, in my view, an interesting one and one which the late Terrence McKenna would delve into and elaborate on in years to come.

Rainbow Bridge is a product of its time, for sure, but that doesn't make it irrelevant or passé. On the contrary, the ideas expressed and the questions posed about the human condition are timeless, and seem to be re-emerging in relevance today. There is talk of higher life forms/extra-terrestrials/spiritually evolved beings (or whatever term appeals most to your particular frame of reference) that will no-doubt raise a few sneers from those among us who are convinced that we now have our collective finger on the pulse of reality, which is all cut & dry, and now that we know the world is not flat we need not keep our minds open any longer, and that "space people" is a possibility entertained only by a poor mindless/crazy/naïve/deluded few, and that anybody who openly questions these things is obviously in some brainwashed state (the irony!).

Actually, if one were to take an open-minded and entirely rational look at these questions, they may be surprised to find some logical basis for some of these ideas. Concepts that the layperson may find outlandish or even downright crazy, often have some basis in quantum physics, and there are many open-minded scientists out there who refuse to rule out any of this stuff.

But this is a review of a film, not a philosophical/scientific/spiritual debate, so lets move on! The final live footage of The Jimi Hendrix Experience (featuring Billy Cox on bass) is cool, but the sound is marred by strong wind (evident by the big sponges taped around the microphones!). As I say, it's cool, but not essential unless you simply have to have as much Hendrix footage in your collection as possible.

All in all it's a nice, unusual, quirky film featuring some cool footage of Hendrix casually hanging out, as well as performing live. Regarding the more "far-out" aspects of the film, I'll simply leave you with this thought, and let you make up your own mind: Not only is the universe stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we CAN imagine.

For anybody who came of age during the late 1960's/early 1970's,this film will probably be a feather in your cap. This film,shot mostly in a commune in Hawaii that seemed to be centered in various realms of spirituality was directed (?)by Chuck Wein, a former hanger on with Andy Warhol & the Factory clique (a few of which appear in this film). The film seems to be pure improvisation, as there is no screen writer mentioned in the credits,and the cast made up of various members of the commune. Don't try & make any kind of sense out of it (at least in the traditional way,anyway). The film seems to be very organic in it's presentation (shot in 16mm,which vies for it's kitchen sink,do it yourself look). The obvious highpoint of the film is the participation of Jimi Hendrix,who in addition to being filmed at a concert overlooking a volcano,also makes a non musical appearance,conversing with some of the various denizens of the commune. I suppose experiencing this film loaded to the nines on whatever psychedelic drugs one can get their hands on is a "must" for this film (but so were other films of this nature produced between 1967 to 1975). All I can say is, fish out those love beads that have been hiding in that back drawer for the last 30 plus years,turn on that black light,roll another number & drop this in your DVD/VHS player & get 'yer groove on.

This is very much about the 60's and Jimi Hendrix and I just absolutely love this movie and its sense of humour ... Hat's off to Hartley as she makes her way to Hawaii for a private concert with Jimi Hendrix. Man, I wish I was from the 60's.

oh, how those criticvs love to rip apart low-budget movies outside the box. In '70, that expression was unknown but the hippie culture was still going strong (though after Altamont, Kent, State, Isle of Wight, and losing Janis Joplin, the surge lost a lot of momentum).

one attractive feature is that viewers cannot make headz or tailz of this film until about the fourth FULL viewing. plus...and this means kudos the creative side: we are never sure if the actors are actors! now, that is acting! and directing! we have our hippie-corporate head liaison visiting the Meditation Center in Maui...just to see how the money is being wasted. Pat Hartley, very sexy in her hippie-tight jeans, makes the trek....she encounters many obstructions of the establishment, on the way.

she falls mesmerized by the true love, peace, contentment - dreal *harmony* she finds. her enthusiasm is then further increase when the man, THE hippie musician icon of the day, Jimi Hendrix arrives to rock out! Hendrix's performance is the centerpiece of the film, but it comes well *into* the proceedings. a great performance.

baby boomers, esp. those a tad too old for Elvis and just young enough for The Beatles, invite yourself to join the peaceniks.