FirstWitch
A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.
Brennan Camacho
Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.
Phillida
Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.
Kevin McCammon
Directed by documentary filmmakers David Leaf and John Scheinfeld, The U.S. vs. John Lennon was presented by Lionsgate and VH1 in 2006. Depictions of John Lennon have been produced in many forms and have often told a story of an outspoken "Beatle" turned world-peace activist, however Yoko Ono Lennon asserts, "Of all the documentaries that have been made about John, this is the one he would have loved." The directors told this story of John Lennon from a unique perspective; shedding light on the struggle he and his wife had to overcome in effort to deliver their message of peace to the world. Citing the work of historian Jon Wiener, Gimmie Some Truth, 1999, this film documents the attempt made by the United States government to have John Lennon deported from the country. During the production of this film, the passing of The Patriot Act and the beginning of the Iraq War were still current events, the post 9/11 culture was a significant factor to the style in which this story was told. Along with original music and archival footage of interviews and performances of Lennon, featured in the film are a variety of public figures who offer personal accounts to the global impact made by Lennon and comparisons between the political cultures of the Richard M. Nixon and George W. Bush presidential eras. The synopsis of the film featured on the back cover of the DVD retrospectively draws a certain conclusion about Lennon's efforts. While I do not debate his courageousness, I contest the assertion that his battle with the U.S. Government ended in a victory for Lennon. "The U.S. vs. John Lennon is the compelling and provocative story of John Lennon's evolution from beloved Beatle to outspoken artist and activist to iconic inspiration for peace, and how, in the midst of one of the most tumultuous times in American history, Lennon stood his ground, refused to be silenced and courageously won his battle with the U.S. Government." If Yoko was correct in saying that John would have loved this documentary, would it be because the message of the film extended beyond "Beatlemania" and touched upon speaking out against wartime initiatives? During the late 1960's and early 70's, Lennon used his access to media to lend the microphone to people that he admired, some of which appear in this documentary; the opening scene of the film features Jerry Rubin (founding member of the Youth International Party) at the John Sinclair Freedom Rally, and Bobby Seale (co-founder of the Black Panther Party) contributed an interview and appears throughout the film. Use of archival footage helped shape the tone of The U.S. vs. John Lennon; the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were used to counteract those of President Richard Nixon. "When somebody in show business comes and participates in a political rally, he, or she, is doing something that is a great personal sacrifice, and even a personal risk." (Nixon) Even though the footage of King was recorded before Nixon's warning, the excerpt of King's speech appears to be a response to Nixon in the film."Somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right." (King, 1968)Furthermore, when considering the parallels, depicted in this film, between Nixon and Bush, King's speech may have also served as a response to the then current Presidential administration.At the beginning of 1971, John and Yoko were interviewed by Tariq Ali and Robin Blackburn for an article to be featured in the underground London Newspaper, The Red Mole. Ali and Blackburn recall John's ambition to use his celebrity status and experience with film and music to create an institution to assist the development of "radical movements." In 1972, before Lennon became aware that he was being investigated by the FBI, he released the album Sometime in New York City: two of the songs featured on the album were written to raise public awareness for civil rights activists John Sinclair and Angela Davis. Upon being served with a deportation notice, John continued to voice his political opinions and indeed was awarded a Green Card that enabled him to reside in the United States; if the goal of the Nixon administration was to completely silence John Lennon, they lost. However, a considerable impact on Lennon's political involvement can be observed by looking at the work produced by Lennon during and after his investigation, which did not officially end until Nixon had won his reelection campaign, which raises the question as to whether or not John Lennon would have viewed his battle victoriously in retrospect. This film mirrors Lennon's album Sometime in New York City, as both created public awareness by centrally placing those with credible insight and first-hand experience with social activism. In 1972, if a person wanted to know more about current social movements, Lennon's album would have served as a good starting point. The U.S. vs. John Lennon may have conjured memories for those who lived during the Nixon era while it introduced research-worthy public figures to those who were not alive during Lennon's time. This film may have also introduced a few John Lennon songs to less versed fans, some of which cannot receive FM airplay due to current FCC regulations.
Lee Eisenberg
When "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" came out, it was no doubt an allusion to everything that had gone on under George W. Bush. In fact, recently deceased interviewee Gore Vidal says "Lennon represented life, while Nixon - and Bush - represent death." The combination of the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War led to unprecedented protests, and the US government responded mercilessly, with J. Edgar Hoover's FBI acting as more of a paramilitary force.The point that the documentary makes is that Lennon used his fame to fight for social justice like no one else had, and the Nixon administration - spurred on by the infamous Strom Thurmond - spared no effort in persecuting him for it. Everyone should see this documentary partially to understand what Lennon was all about, but also to understand what the US government is really up to when it talks about keeping "undesirables" out of the country. In the end, Yoko Ono notes that despite Lennon's murder, his message never died.Just so as not to be totally one-sided, the documentary interviews G. Gordon Liddy to get the government's side of the story. Liddy is just as creepy as ever. Other interviewees include Stew Albert (whom I knew personally), Tariq Ali, Carl Bernstein, Walter Cronkite, Ron Kovic, Bobby Seale, John Sinclair and Leon Wildes.
boymoto
The concept of John Lennon being a peaceful uniter, is presented in this tired effort, as if he was against the USA.A vivid contradiction about a talented musician, who seemed eager to promote an enlightened existence amongst Humanity, regardless of his naive efforts.In this IMDb thread, we see the same mindless contradictions that the producers of this vapid film provided.Some have decided to label the Vietnam Conflict as Nixon's War, forgetting that the Republican was elected after two Democrat President's began the US involvement in Vietnam and led the fight in this conflict for years.But perhaps the most vacant aspect, the failure of so many - including the filmmakers, to not accurately portray the abandonment of Millions who sought freedom, and were later slaughtered by the Communists after the US Congress ran away from their commitment.A real Human Tragedy, encouraged by the same activists who sought 'peace'.And yet, in posts on this website, we are forced to be confronted by those who actually compare John Lennon's comments about Jesus Christ, to the mindless Dixie Chicks!It is rather embarrassing.It seems no matter the time, the situation, the Political Bigotry of some, will vilify the Republican regardless if they didn't begin the US Involvement in Vietnam - and ended the US Military Action in this Cold War Battle.Forget logic, facts, reason...Don't think about the Soviet and Chinese participation in that historic conflict.Ignore the ugly efforts of Democrat Presidents over the years, including the Clinton Administration's LIES about the Genocide in Rwanda.Today, we see a US President, whose actions have led to the potential Liberty of 50 Million in Iraq and Afghanistan.In Afghanistan, the Afghani People can NOW listen to John Lennon's music without brutal persecution from the horrid Taliban.But today, the anti-US mindset, the bias against a 'REPUBLICAN' is so overt, the objectivity is vacant.And this slanted, manipulative, uninspired Film, is yet another example of why such ignorance grows.The USA, a Democratic Republic, giving healthy opportunity for Millions (including the savvy song writer from Liverpool), remains the biggest humanitarian provider on this Planet...The USA includes historic Civil Rights, Women's Liberty, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, etc., continues to be 'persecuted' in misguided ways.It is sad to watch those who produce such blind efforts...If John Lennon had made such a display in another Country in the midst of a Global Cold War, he may not have been treated with any rights at all.In fact, the Communists simply removed you from all contact with society, and often ended your life.Thankfully, others (besides the vapid commentary on this board about this Propaganda Film) throughout history knew the true cost of FREEDOM, and were willing to sacrifice for a better life for all.The film could have been a fascinating look at the time, and the life of an amazing Creative Force, but instead, it flops on the old political blindness and propaganda efforts of the small minded.
bob the moo
I am too young to really remember John Lennon being alive and what I know of him is mostly based around the Beatles and his later solo efforts which, in my view, saw him becoming a bit of a peacenik under the influence of Yoko Ono. As a result this film sat on my recorder for quite a few weeks before I got round to watching it but I am glad I did because it is actually a very interesting film that is pitched perfectly to inform viewers such as myself who perhaps did not know anything about John Lennon in the latter stages of his life.It goes without saying that the film is sympathetic to Lennon and what he was trying to do and I suppose this is a fault within the telling that the bias towards him as a person is inherently there. This will put off some viewers who simply disagree with him, draw in those that agree but to the casual viewer I doubt it will come over as a problem and indeed for me it was just something I observed rather than something that was an issue. Anyway, what the film did well for me was to acknowledge that Lennon was an artist and a peacenik but to move him beyond the images and songs that we all know. This gives him as a person more of a foundation and meaning because, viewed in context of his time he actually comes over as a key figure and an intelligent man (albeit an artist!).I'm sure some will see this as a problem because they disagree with it but the approach works. Setting the foundation and showing Lennon speaking out (in his own way) builds well to make the later persecution by Nixon's Whitehouse to be a natural progression and believable rather than being a rather sensationalist newspaper headline (or indeed like the title of the film itself). The use of archive footage is really well done as it makes rightly makes Lennon the main character while the contributions are mostly relevant and edited into the main flow well.An interesting and engaging documentary that sits as a fitting tribute to who John Lennon was, even if it focuses on a specific period in his life. Understandably slanted to the left politically, it will appeal to the casual viewer quite easily.
