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Beware of Mr. Baker

Released Nov 28, 2012 1h 32m Documentary List
98% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Filmmaker Jay Bulger interviews Ginger Baker, legendary and often volatile drummer of the rock groups Cream and Blind Faith.
Beware of Mr. Baker

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Free of the hagiographic overtones that dog many documentary profiles, Beware of Mr. Baker presents a clear-eyed, thoroughly gripping look at one of rock's greatest -- and most personally problematic -- musicians.

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Critics Reviews

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh metro.co.uk A cracking story, buzzily edited, this warts-and-warts portrait delivers an illuminating insight into recent rock history. Don't miss it. Rated: 4/5 Sep 5, 2017 Full Review Charlotte O'Sullivan London Evening Standard Bleakly entertaining, Beware of Mr Baker neither eulogises nor patronises its subject; one day (though possibly not soon), Baker may take it upon himself to say thanks. Rated: 4/5 May 17, 2013 Full Review Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) It's a broadly forgiving portrait of an impossible, irascible talent, who seems to have treated life much like his instrument. Rated: 3/5 May 16, 2013 Full Review Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog Instead of a hagiography filled with kind words from old chums, boxer-turned-filmmaker Jay Bulger's documentary, Beware of Mr. Baker, revels in opportunities to present drummer Ginger Baker in all his asshole glory. Rated: 3/4 Feb 4, 2024 Full Review Daniel Green CineVue A deceptively unconventional rock 'n' roll tale of drink, drugs, drums and ponies, Bulger's Beware of Mr. Baker saddens as much as it elates. Rated: 4/5 Feb 25, 2019 Full Review Kelly Jane Torrance Washington Examiner As jaw-dropping as Ginger Baker's drumming is, the man himself is even more rattling. Rated: 3/4 Dec 17, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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john t GB is not a nice person but if you are a fan of rock music, he was a musical genius. This movie offers a great look at his musical legacy. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review william k Interesting insight into the (quite obnoxious) character of one of the most outstanding and influential rock music drummers, although it never questions his overrated and self-proclaimed genius on the instrument. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Jay Bulger does an amazing job of capturing the essence of this sad, immensely talented, pathetic excuse for a human being. This is a must see for anyone who feels that they have not been a good friend, father, mother, husband or wife. Baker, although an amazing drummer, comes off as a worthless, self-centered piece of human excrement. He and his ego along have wrecked the lives of everyone he has come into contact with. While he has defied death and should have been taken from earth many times over, you would have thought that someone who has been given so many chances to become a humble, kind and appreciative human being would have turned a corner....not this ass-hole. If you are a music fan...there are some great clips. Not sure why legends like Clapton, Winwood, Hart and Peart.would waste their breadth on this jerk. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Amazing! Mr. Baker is a truly unique talent and about as real as they come. I recommend this to anyone, especially musicians. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member "I respect him as a drummer but not as a person"- this quote at the beginning of the film very aptly sums up the divisive talent that Ginger Baker is. With Cream, his ferocious, prodigious drumming was at the epicentre of the band's brew of heavy psychadelic blues. Throughout his career though, this jazz-influenced drummer's substance abuse was notorious and he seemed to alienate most of the people he worked with. It's a unique documentary that doesn't seek to glorify the subject, just present the facts and allow us to make up our own minds. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Loved it! Gritty, true, and honest. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Beware of Mr. Baker

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmaker Jay Bulger interviews Ginger Baker, legendary and often volatile drummer of the rock groups Cream and Blind Faith.
Director
Jay Bulger
Producer
Fisher Stevens, Erik H. Gordon, Jay Bulger, Andrew S. Karsch
Screenwriter
Jay Bulger
Production Co
Insurgent Media
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 28, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$114.3K
Runtime
1h 32m