Long Strange Trip

I had the good fortune of viewing this documentary at a screening organized for friends of some of the folks involved in putting the film together. I had a bit of an appreciation for the Grateful Dead prior to viewing this film, but now I have a newly discovered fascination with the Dead, and feel like I could easily and happily be a Dead Head! I think this film is extraordinarily important as it chronicles one of the most iconic bands in history, in a way that has never been done before. I wholeheartedly recommend this film.

Just enough detail to make people get it. The rest is discovered through the music and the experience still today.

It was certainly entertaining to take a trip from the beginning of the Dead experience to the end of the journey, but, for me personally, I was somewhat disappointed by the lack of real insight from the main 'characters.' The director did an amiably job in collecting and presenting tons of archival footage, but, it could have used way more personal reflections from the surviving members. Some of the most insightful footage was from reporters, publicists and other ancillary people. While, it was good to see how the Dead affected all of these people, I wanted more of what the band members really thought about the footage in the movie not just a commentary about how 'cool' it was to see the 'old stuff.' Maybe, I was expecting this to be something it was never meant to be. In the end, however, kudos to all who were involved with putting this together.

One of the best expressions of the Grateful Dead. In telling the story, the documentary does an excellent job in conveying the mythos that drove the band from their outset and all throughout their odyssey. Best of all, the documentary tells the story using its own voice- it's a totally original approach and it pulls no punches. Are there gaps or things left out? Yes. But as Amir Bar-Lev has said in his interviews, there is a difference between writing wikipedia posts and telling a story. And he really tells a cool story. Regarding the soundtrack: the selections follow the story and the mood in a way that adds punch and poignance to the emotional groundswells that occur throughout the movie (and there are some really potent ones). Bararba Meir, Steve Parish, Dennis Leonard, and SAM CUTLER could each steal the show, but instead their contributions all intertwine, yielding something greater than the parts. And it was great to see Owsley's contributions recognized. So many good things to say about this film!!!! Lastly- the story is done in a way that works for "insiders" as well as anybody unfamiliar with the band. In that regard, it is very much like going to a Grateful Dead concert- there's plenty of room for everybody to make what they want of it. The Omnipotent Grateful Dead.... Bravo Amir!!!!!

I've been "shaking my bones" to over 100 Grateful Dead shows since my first. The 15th anniversary show in 1980 in Denver Colorado at age 15 . It is great to be a Dead Head in Colorado after 1978 the first time The Dead played here Red Rocks . Great encore Warren Zevon's " Werewolves of London" This is an excellent film 3h 58 min but I loved it all .