Watch Report from Millbrook

Report from Millbrook is a documentary film shot in 1966 that explores the lifestyles of Timothy Leary and his followers, who lived in a 64-room mansion in Millbrook, New York. The film captures the early days of the psychedelic movement in America and examines the ideology of Leary's communes. The film opens with shots of Leary's mansion and the surrounding area. The narrator introduces Leary as a former professor of psychology at Harvard who became infamous for his controversial research involving LSD. Leary is portrayed as a charismatic figure who is challenging mainstream society and promoting a counterculture movement based on the personal exploration of consciousness.

The film then shifts to interviews with Leary's followers, who discuss their reasons for joining the commune and their experiences with LSD. They describe a sense of freedom and transcendence that they have achieved through taking the drug, and compare it to religious experiences. One woman says that LSD teaches her to let go of her ego and appreciate the beauty of the world, while another man says that it helps him connect with other people on a deeper level.

The film also features footage of Leary giving lectures on LSD, in which he argues that the drug can open up new pathways in the brain that lead to spiritual insights. He describes his vision of a society that is based on individual freedom and creativity, rather than the conformity and consumerism of the mainstream. He encourages his followers to embrace their own inner voices and to reject the pressures to conform to societal norms.

One of the most striking sequences in the film shows Leary taking LSD and walking through the woods with a group of followers. The camera captures his ecstatic expressions and emphasizes the beauty and wonder of nature. This sequence seems to be designed to convey the sense of euphoria and liberation that LSD can produce, and to encourage viewers to consider trying the drug for themselves.

Throughout the film, the narrator questions the wisdom of Leary's venture, citing concerns about the potential dangers of LSD and the potential for abuse in a communal setting. He also challenges Leary's utopian vision, suggesting that it is naïve and unrealistic. The film seems to be striving for a balance between presenting the appeal of Leary's ideology and highlighting the possible pitfalls of his lifestyle.

Overall, Report from Millbrook is an intriguing time capsule that offers a glimpse into the counterculture of the 1960s. It is a thought-provoking exploration of the political and social movements that emerged during this era, and an examination of the role of drugs in the search for personal freedom and spiritual enlightenment. While the film has a clear bias toward Leary and his followers, it also raises important questions about the impact of psychedelic substances on individual and collective consciousness.