The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg

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The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg

Released Feb 18, 1994

1h 22m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

79%

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14 Reviews

71%

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500+ Ratings

This documentary chronicles the life of American beat poet Allen Ginsberg. Born and raised in New Jersey, Ginsberg attends Columbia University alongside fellow beats Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs. Ginsberg rises to to the forefront of the American counterculture following the success of his iconic poem "Howl" in 1955, after which he becomes heavily involved in spiritualism and activism. A 1997 recut of the film includes Ginsberg's death that April at the age of 70.

Darren Reidy

Village Voice

There's little here for those who know the story.

Aug 17, 2004

Full Review

Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 4.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

KC Wildmoon

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

[Aronson] presents a moving and gentle portrait, combining interviews with friends, peers, family members, Ginsberg himself, home movies and photographs (many of them taken by Ginsberg) into a seamless whole.

May 9, 2023

Full Review

Lawrence Frascella

The Advocate

As a first go at a film bio, this documentary suffices. But it might have been better had it not carried such an official stamp.

Apr 19, 2022

Full Review

Christopher Long

Movie Metropolis

Commentators who couldn't take flower power or Buddhist chants or even poetry seriously were doomed to underestimate (Ginsberg's) resolve time and again.

Rated: 8/10

Jul 11, 2013

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

For this double-disc DVD release, director Aronson has assembled a wealth of extra footage, much of it more interesting and revealing than the movie itself.

Jan 31, 2008

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Audience Member

Wonderful story about an American original by a fabulous documentarian.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very proud to have been a small part of this project. Great film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Allen Ginsberg is one of the best poets I've ever read. His poetry actually introduced me to the Beats, something no advanced history textbook ever did. I love how candid and how raw his words were without losing that touch of sincerity and heart and soul. Upon hearing about this film, I searched everywhere to watch it. No stores had it, no other websites... (Thank Buddha for Flixster.) My first twenty times watching this, I sobbed from how beautiful it was. It's a magnificent film, and anyone who has doubts about getting into the Beat Generation should give this a try.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Good overview of the mans life. Came into this movie knowing practically zilch about the guy and came away seeming to think he had a pretty large impact on society in the 20th century.....

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Audience Member

Awesome footage and interviews. Gives you a view of Allen's personal life and inspirations, as well as some footage of his political activism. Truly inspiring.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

Allen Ginsberg was one of the best minds of his generation, and the one that came after his...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Jerry Aronson

Director

Joan Baez

Actor

William F. Buckley

Actor

William Lee

Actor

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Synopsis

This documentary chronicles the life of American beat poet Allen Ginsberg. Born and raised in New Jersey, Ginsberg attends Columbia University alongside fellow beats Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs. Ginsberg rises to to the forefront of the American counterculture following the success of his iconic poem "Howl" in 1955, after which he becomes heavily involved in spiritualism and activism. A 1997 recut of the film includes Ginsberg's death that April at the age of 70.

Director: Jerry Aronson
Producer: Jerry Aronson
Distributor: New Yorker Films
Production Co: WNET Thirteen, Eagle Rock Entertainment, Ltd.
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 18, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.5K
Runtime: 1h 22m

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