Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune

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Art W As a decades old Phil Ochs fan, this documentary reveals Phil's life from closest family to famous colleagues and industry mates, most I didn't know only from his songs. Phil is sadly not here but those who were closest gave intimate stories of what drove him to write biting protest and deeply personal songs up to his suicide. A must watch for anyone interested in this one of a kind true patriot. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/23/23 Full Review Audience Member "Changes" is on my all-time top ten list of folk songs; so why don't I feel guilty about not liking this film? Is it because we could plug in a dozen different names for Phil Ochs and end up with the same movie? Is it because boyish charm wears thin all too quickly? Or is it because the truth is finally revealed with the release of Phil's seventh and final studio album, "Greatest Hits" (1970) - which, contrary to its title, offers ten tracks of new material, a gold lamé suit and an abundance of self-pity? Are we attracted to the music because of the politics - or, are we attracted to the politics because of the music? I will always settle on the latter; sorry Phil, sorry Pete - think "one-hit-wonder". Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member Phil Ochs is amazing and so so overlooked. Everybody watch this and bow down to his fantastic talent and wit. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member I saw this movie on netflix. I went in having never heard of Phil Ochs, I came out feeling true emotion about his life and his plight. Kenneth Bowser did an excellent job of telling the story in a way that is both appealing and accessible to most Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member If you weren't aware of Phil Ochs' wide range of musical compositions and his political persona during the turbulent 60s, this film would serve mostly as a historical chronicle of those times. But for those of us fortunate enough to have known and loved his work, it is a beautifully-made documentary/biography of him with his music playing throughout. I was fortunate enough to not only love his music but to have been graced with his generous spirit when he agreed to meet with a friend of mine and me at a little restaurant in Westwood in 1971 when he was 31 and we were 16. I was really moved by this film and reminded of what a brilliant songwriter he was. I want to revisit his music, especially Pleasures of the Harbor, Tape from California and Rehearsals for Retirement. The film solved the mystery in my mind about what happened to Phil beginning with the Greatest Hits album up to his suicide at 35. Phil Ochs was one of the greatest songwriters of our century and one who should have been celebrated far more than he has been. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member http://filmreviewsnsuch.blogspot.com/2012/03/phil-ochs-there-but-for-fortune.html Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune

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