I've seen a number of documentaries and movies on the Beatles and in particular John Lennon, but I would say this doc was the most detailed and concise exploration of Lennon's early years, from childhood to the beginning of the Beatles.
The film covers Lennon's early years, in Liverpool, during WWll, to his extremely unsettled family life in his formative years, to his personality in school, and eventually his venturing into writing, poetry, illustration, and, of course music. All of this would lead to the shaping of Lennon's uniqueness and unquestioned charisma.
I found it fascinating how we got a vivid account of the first time Lennon met Paul McCartney, through a mutual friend, and how McCartney, and later George Harrison were incorporated into Lennon's first band The Quarrymen.
For me, my enjoyment of the movie was marred somewhat by the lack of subtitles and with the thick British accents it was difficult for me to make everything out.
Overall though, this doc, directed by Roger Appleton, is a most interesting look at the early years of John Lennon, whose genius and talent I've respected since I was a teenager.
