Watch Rockin' the Wall

Rockin' the Wall is a 2010 documentary film directed by Larry Schweikart, with Adam Baldwin as the host. The movie offers a fascinating account of the role that music played in the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. Narrated by David Hasselhoff and jam-packed with interviews of famous musicians who participated in concerts near Checkpoint Charlie, it unravels the fascinating tale of how rock music could have changed the course of history.

The film captures the essence of the Berlin Wall and the division that existed between the worlds of the Cold War. The most significant period of the film is the late 1980s, when the people of East Germany were coming together for change, and music was a driving force. The events leading up to the fall of the Wall are explored, especially the role of Western music and the influence it had on the youth of East Berlin.

The film takes us back in time to the 1960s when the Wall was built and how it divided the city of Berlin. It features interviews with former East German musicians, many of whom had their careers abruptly terminated after the Wall went up. The tales of these musicians offer a glimpse into the deeply oppressive society which the Wall had created. For them, music was the only means of freedom available.

Following the story of musicians who rocked the wall, the documentary moves on to the concerts organized around the Wall in the late 1980s. The film showcases performers like Bon Jovi, David Bowie, and Pink Floyd, who came to perform on both sides of the wall. These concerts provided a much-needed connection between the people of East and West Berlin who would have never been able to come together otherwise.

Rockin' the Wall also features interviews with people who lived through the Wall's fall, including some of the people who directly contributed to it. The interviews offer a vivid picture of the mood in the city at that time and give us an insight into how people on both sides of the wall responded to the news.

Overall, Rockin' the Wall is an inspiring and uplifting documentary, which shows how music has the power to unite people, even in the most trying circumstances. It is a reminder that it was the common bond of music, rather than military force, that helped bring down the Iron Curtain.

The film is a well-traveled and well-produced document of an era in rock music history that impacted international politics as well. Schweikart's editing is top-notch; the pacing of the documentary is excellent, and it balances the interviews and the music effortlessly. The captions and graphics give context to the events described and never distract from the film's overall flow.

The score is also an essential part of the movie, and the eclectic mix of tracks keeps the viewers hooked throughout the documentary. The fact that the film uses music from over twenty-five artists is a testament to the influence that music had on the politics and social movements of the day. The interviews are authentic and personal, providing a close-up view of events that, in many cases, we only know through the distance of history books.

Rockin' the Wall is relevant even today when we have witnessed so many uprisings of youth across the world fighting for their rights. The movie demonstrates how music can be a catalyst for deep-rooted social change and inspire hope in even the bleakest of situations.

In conclusion, Rockin' the Wall is a must-watch documentary that takes you on a nostalgic journey through history. It is a remarkable celebration of the power of music and its ability to transcend boundaries and bridge gaps that divide people.

Rockin' the Wall is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9.