Watch Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese

Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese is a documentary film that explores one of the most celebrated moments in Bob Dylan's career, the Rolling Thunder Revue tour. The film takes the viewer on a journey back to 1975 when Dylan embarked on a tour across America accompanied by a group of legendary musicians including Joan Baez, Allen Ginsberg, and Joni Mitchell.

The Rolling Thunder Revue was not just a musical tour; it was a cultural phenomenon that captivated the American public. This film is an attempt to capture the essence of that cultural moment by piecing together archival footage, interviews with the tour's participants, and fantasy sequences that riff on the tour's themes.

The film opens with a collage of interviews with Dylan that set the stage for the tour. Dylan reflects on his career, his artistic identity, and the state of the nation. He says, "I don't know who I am most of the time, but I'm all right with that." This statement sets the tone for the film, which is as much about the fluidity of identity as it is about music.

The film then delves into the history of the Rolling Thunder Revue, starting with its conception. Dylan explains that he wanted to create a tour that was different from anything he had done before. He wanted to create a carnival-like atmosphere that would incorporate other artists and create a sense of community on the road. The result was a tour that was chaotic, unpredictable, and electrifying.

The film then introduces some of the key players in the tour. It shows Allen Ginsberg reading poetry, Joan Baez singing, and Joni Mitchell discussing her experiences on the road. These interviews give the viewer a sense of the diversity of talent that was part of the Rolling Thunder Revue.

Throughout the film, Scorsese intersperses archival performances and candid moments from the tour. Some of these moments are breathtaking, such as Dylan's performance of "One More Cup of Coffee" or Baez's rendition of "Diamonds and Rust." Other moments are lighter, such as when Dylan playfully kisses a fan or when he and Patti Smith share a candid moment backstage.

One of the most interesting elements of the film is the fantasy sequences that Scorsese includes. These sequences are designed to supplement the archival footage and to create a sense of the tour's magical quality. They range from a woman in a white mask dancing with Ginsberg to a group of soldiers warming themselves around Dylan's campfire. These sequences are a bit surreal and may feel disorienting to some viewers, but they do capture the sense of the tour as a countercultural happening.

The film also explores the political and social context of the tour. It shows clips of Americans grappling with the aftermath of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. It also touches on Dylan's interest in Native American issues and his decision to invite a group of Native American performers to join the tour. These moments give the viewer a sense of how the Rolling Thunder Revue fit into the broader cultural landscape of America in the mid-1970s.

Overall, Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese is a vivid and captivating portrait of a legendary musical moment. Scorsese's unconventional approach to the material may not appeal to all viewers, but those who are willing to go along with the film's playful and sometimes surreal tone will be rewarded with a unique and unforgettable viewing experience. The film is a love letter to Bob Dylan, the musicians who joined him on the road, and the spirit of artistic adventure that they embodied.

Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 86.