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Janis

Play trailer Poster for Janis R Released Oct 18, 1974 1h 36m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Directed by Howard Alk and completed several years after her death, this documentary showcases the life and music of the legendary rock star Janis Joplin. Comprised of interviews, personal footage, photographs and concert performances, "Janis" reads as an homage to the late singer, who died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27. Footage of her performances includes numerous television appearances -- before and after she reached stardom -- as well as her European tour and, of course, Woodstock.

Critics Reviews

View All (5) Critics Reviews
David Robinson Times (UK) She died from a drug overdose in 1970, though the film is so shabby and aimless that it doesn't trouble to mention the fact for the benefit of those who may be unfamiliar with Janis Joplin and her strenuous style of performance. Jun 27, 2023 Full Review Alexander Walker London Evening Standard The film attempts no insights of its own, no commentary, no conclusion, not even even a notice of death. In many ways, it is a lazy once-over-lightly record. Jun 27, 2023 Full Review Steve Warren The Barb (Atlanta) Though the film dwells on the good times, Janis shows more emotions in a single song than Garbo did in her whole career. May 8, 2023 Full Review Rosenjoy Gay Community News (Boston) For all Joplin lovers, the film will provide a good time with Janis. Aug 18, 2022 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews It offers an honest up close personal look at the popular blues singer. Rated: A Jun 29, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (9) audience reviews
Audience Member Good Documentary That Doesn't Get in Its Subject's Way Very good, narration-free documentary that intercuts performance footage with interviews. This is a straight compilation film, using then-existing material. I don't think there was anything shot specifically for this film. For such an electric talent, it is especially good that the directors just stay out of the way, and not try to staple significance, meaning or whatever to their subject. They just let Janis Joplin sing and speak for herself. And, that's the best thing you could possibly do for a Janis Joplin doc! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Its an interesting watch. Its all archival footage and it was put out just four years after Janis' death, but shows a lot of good performances. Documentaries of the time are a lot different then those made today and it doesn't have the incite we have on her life today either. It needed a narration or something to keep it going rather then being 80% performance. I think at the time though, they went for hitting emotions. I really enjoyed the Dick Cavett interview though and there were a few moments you get to see her true personality behind the scenes which is what really makes this film worth watching. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Wonderful documentary on Joplin. Oh the things we find on Netflix. Great old footage including in depth interviews and awesome concert footage. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Janis is a documentary/concert footage movie that I enjoyed because I love Janis Joplin and the whole hippy generation of music and lifestyle that she was apart of. As far as the movie goes, I expected a little too much out of it. I figured it would dive into some of her life, but really it was just dumb little surface issue interviews and a bunch of concert footage. Obviously it's watchable because Janis was a born performer and her eccentric, hippy atmosphere she exudes during her performances is trance inducing to watch. I just wish the movie would have strived to give us more information about Janis Joplin, but obviously the makers of it felt that they would just let her music to the talking for her. I can't really blame it for that I guess. The concert footage is really well done and it feels like you're at the concert watching Janis. The last concert shot of the film was the best, where Janis belts out, "Take another little piece of my heart now, baby" and invites the audience up on stage. She just keeps singing as all her tripping fans just dance around her. Janis is worth a watch, but I would say you have to be a true fan of hers to really like it. There's not much in the way of substance, so if you like to watch documentaries on icons like Janis for their stories and facts on them, this isn't the movie for you. I would have liked the movie to go that route a little bit more than it did, but as it is, Janis and her performances are enough to hold this documentary up. So fans of the genre and of Janis should give this one a watch. If anything watching her live in concerts will just make you more of a fan then you already were. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Great documentary that relies mostly on archive material but manages to delve deep in her personality. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah, yeah, yeah Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Janis

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Directed by Howard Alk and completed several years after her death, this documentary showcases the life and music of the legendary rock star Janis Joplin. Comprised of interviews, personal footage, photographs and concert performances, "Janis" reads as an homage to the late singer, who died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27. Footage of her performances includes numerous television appearances -- before and after she reached stardom -- as well as her European tour and, of course, Woodstock.
Director
Howard Alk
Producer
Howard Alk, F.R. Crawley, Seaton Findlay
Screenwriter
Howard Alk, Seaton Findlay
Production Co
Crawley Films
Rating
R
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 18, 1974, Original
Runtime
1h 36m