Lynyrd Skynyrd - Gone With the Wind

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Gone With the Wind

By Chrome Dreams

  • Genre: Music Documentaries
  • Release Date: 2016-09-27
  • Advisory Rating: Unrated
  • Runtime: 2h 43min
  • Director: Chrome Dreams
  • iTunes Price: USD 12.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
10/10
10
From 2 Ratings

Description

When Lynyrd Skynyrd emerged onto the world stage in 1973, it was the result of a collective determination; the group had struggled and fought to gain real recognition ever since their formation eight years before. And although they were initially identified, both in the music industry and in the media, as just another act in the then booming Southern-Rock movement, it became quickly apparent that not only were Skynyrd a distinctly individual collective, but also they had the potential to become one of the finest rock bands in history. Led by the headstrong and domineering Ronnie Van Zant, a tough, blue collar brawler with his powerful stage presence, distinctive vocals and gritty, honest lyrics, his energy and vision propelled the group until its tragic end in 1977. This film revisits the story of Lynyrd Skynyrd in a manner previously unattempted. Using a mixture of seldom seen film, new and archive interviews, contributions from an esteemed panel of members past and present and those closest to the group, plus location shoots, rare photographs, news reports and the most harrowing albeit fascinating first-hand description of the fateful 1977 plane crash which bought an end to the original line-up, this program is set to become the standard documentary work on this legendary band.

Trailer

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Reviews

  • zero stars would be better

    1
    By The slash addict
    the band would be ashamed of this, and probably somewhat angered.
  • Superb Documentary

    5
    By spud_cricket
    Gives a clear picture of the amazing rise and tragic fall of Skynard and especially Ronnie Van Zant who was not only a forward thinker but a hater of the over-abundance of handguns in this country (even though he possessed an antique revolver gifted to him). Though he was born and raised in the Deep South, Van Zant held his own thoughts and beliefs, never compromised. You simply cannot place him in a box and slap on a label (right winger or otherwise) on Ronnie Van Zant. There’s not enough time to cover every detail of this fabulous band of incredibly talented musicians in one documentary; It would need to be a mini-series. But this particular documentary does provide a good amount of pertinent information to get a clearer understanding of just how hard this group of men worked to get to the level of legendary under the meticulous guidance of their one-of-a-kind leader.
  • A left wing look at Lynyrd Skynyrd

    1
    By Evan Keal
    Although, some very interesting new bits of information, the documentary leaves out key voices who should've contributed (Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke, Donnie Van Zant, Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie's Wife and family, family members of the other band members). Most of the commentary is by Robert Christgau (who arrogantly wears a NY Yankees shirt during the entire interview, and can't even properly remember the name of "Gimme Three Steps") What a douche. They were also trying to paint Ronnie as a left wing sympathizer by analyzing a single line (out of context) in Sweet Home Alabama. "In Bermingham they love the Governor", yet completely failing to see that he was mocking this liberal "DEMOCRAT" with the "Boo, Boo, Boo" refrain. In the next two lines Ronnie states "Watergate does not bother me, Does your concious bother you...tell the truth!" Which is a direct response to the Democratic outrage over Watergate, which pales in comparison to the atrocities Liberals and Progressives have committed in recent times (i.e. Clintons). Yet...they never even touched on that. Lastly, the injection of the stock video footage (with the "old timey" scratched film filter) behind certain songs was a cheap effect. They ended up looking like amateur, YouTube music video from a high schooler. I thought Al Kooper provided a honest commentary and can tell he really cared for these guys. He seemed very genuine in contrast to the self serving commentary by Robert Christgau. There were also several another critics/biographers/friend who provided some excellent commentary too (Sorry...I wish I captured their names)..

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