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| | Label: Music Video Distributors
Salesrank: 212644
Released: June 13, 2000 |
| Our Price: $95.00 |
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MPAA Rating:
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
This has the unmistakable whiff of opportunism about itÂ-there is no structure, no narration, nothing by way of accompanying information, and much of the concert footage looks like it was filmed by someone whose other eye was engaged reading the instruction manual for the camera. Despite--or, just maybe, because of--these limitations, it offers some genuine revelations of its subject. And, in fairness, the concert footage that is filmed properly is marvelous.
The material collected here was apparently filmed in the late '60s and offers a series of snapshots of Cash on one of his famously interminable tours. He is shown playing to audiences of fans, maximum-security prisoners, and feather-clad Native American dignitaries, and he is shown away from the stage, playing cards on the tour bus, jamming with friends, and further reinforcing his then-unfashionable interest in Native American issues with a visit to the site of the Wounded Knee massacre. Also of interest are the other performers that wander through this random travelogue: Cash's wife, June Carter Cash, in a duet with him on "Jackson"; Cash's lead guitarist, Carl Perkins, taking the spotlight to sing his creation "Blue Suede Shoes"; and, best of all, Cash, grinning from ear to ear and quite unabashedly overawed, recording a glorious duet of Billy Edd Wheeler's "Blistered" with an insouciant, gum-chewing Bob Dylan. --Andrew Mueller, Amazon.co.uk
The Man, His World, His Music Reviews:
His world indeed. 
2009-11-14 - I've read other reviews for this product and while I can't deny the fact that the camera work and editing leave a little something to be desired, for me, it doesn't take away from the experience of the film. It's titled 'The Man, his world and his music and that's what it feels like. It felt like we were truly getting a look into who John was, even though he's always in the spot light. I went with this version because it's 10 min longer that the american counter part. I would recomend this to anyone who is a Johnny Cash fan.
Childhood Memories
2009-09-05 - I saw this program on educational channel. I grew up with him in Ark., and find his childhood factual. The people are proud of his success.
Opal Blackard
406 N. 25th St.
Middlesboro, Ky. 40965
An unvarnished look at the man and his music during his glory days 
2007-07-13 - This DVD shows Johnny Cash during the heyday of his career in the late sixties. I want to say it shows him "in his prime," but that is a matter of debate. Even though he was not at the height of his powers physically, the series of recordings that he did at the end of his life with producer Rick Rubin is among his best work. This production highlights that phase of his career when he and June Carter Cash were riding the wave of hit songs that made him a household name in country music and beyond.
Raw concert performances of a number of those songs, including "Ring of Fire," "Daddy Sings Bass," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "Jackson," are found along with rare recordings of lesser-known songs. This includes a couple of gospel songs and some guest appearances, that include a solo performance by Carl Perkins on "Blue Suede Shoes" and a duet with Bob Dylan. Cash and Dylan clearly warm-up to each other, smiling as the song progresses from opposing microphones. It's enjoyable throughout the DVD to see a healthy Cash singing in such a strong voice.
Footage of Cash backstage, on the road in a motorhome, and interacting with family and friends is also provided. Cash comes across as a down-to-earth guy who relates well with ordinary people. He doesn't try to impress, and never postures for the camera. It's an unadorned look with no narration or graphics.
The music is country with a little bit of folk and gospel. The sound and picture quality is a little more than acceptable, but the content is historic. This is the music that made him famous.
The varied settings--a prison performance, a concert on a reservation, a trip to Wounded Knee, a song sung at home, or in the woods with a wounded crow, provide moving moments in the life of a man, who despite his success was humble and kind to others.
This is a must for the Cash collector and worth exploring for those looking for a mix of documentary and performance from the early life of a music legend.
In an interview on the DVD, Cash says, "Singing seems to help a troubled soul." This DVD provides a glimpse of the many people and the man himself who were helped on their way through the singing of simple songs about everyday life.
3.5 stars
An Intimate Portrait
2006-04-12 - I accidently came upon this film and it made me feel like I was five years old and opening a gift on Christmas morning. A life long fan of Johnny Cash, I found myself mesmerized by the intimate feeling created by the amatuer effect of the filming . There was something quietly magnificent about Johnny Cash that came through in his music, this film showed that magnificence through filming the quiet moments, whether it was as he listened to a hopeful singer or walked thoughtfully around the property and through house where he grew up.
I found the scene with his father riveting in light of what we now know of that relationship. It wasn't a long scene but in it John convinced his father to sing a short song, at first reticent, his father conceded and sang, he began to sweat so profusely that you had to feel sympathy for him but when the camera cut to John you could see in his eyes what it meant to him to have this moment with his father and family. I really loved the interactions he had with the diverse variety of people he came into contact with, it was a little like being a fly on the wall.
The performances were something to behold, especially the duet with a young and confident Bob Dylan. There was a scene where Cash was sitting in his living room talking about a song he had just written called "You are What I Need", which of course became the song Flesh and Blood. It was a beautiful thing to watch him sing this while it was still being fleshed out, and when he said that he wrote it while he was in one of his "long moods" I felt I understood something beyond words.
If you are not a true Cash fan, this DVD might not be for you. But for those out there who, like me, loved the music and the essence of it, Cash himself, this will be something you will treasure.
Real Life Portrait. 
2005-02-20 - This is more a snapshot of one of America's greatest icons during his real life than it is a narrated documentary. The film is a compendium of homemovies that showcase Cash as an entertainer and as a man. Predictably, Johnny is accessible and friendly to just about everybody and you see that while he's "adjusted well to prosperity," he's still an honest country man inside.
This is also a ninety minute performance video. Most of its segments include some kind of singing or impromtu recital. We see Johnny playing at country fairs and at a prison (not Fulsom).
What pleased me the most about this film was the inclusion of Cash's duets with Bob Dylan. Watching the two of them record together was riveting. Also, I forgot how great June Carter's voice was. Hearing her sisters and June as Johnny's opening act was a great highlight. I may give a listen to some of her music in the future.
