Tony Palmer's All My Loving

Tony Palmer

Overview

Originally broadcast on the BBC back in 1968, filmmaker Tony Palmer's groundbreaking rock documentary features vintage performances by such legendary rock and roll acts as The Beatles, The Who, Pink Floyd, Cream, and Jimmy Hendrix. Additional insight by such revered artists as Frank Zappa offers a telling snapshot of a truly revolutionary moment in time.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/18/2007
UPC:	0604388679607
Original Release:	2007
Source:	Tony Palmer Films
Region Code:	A
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	0:52:00
Sales rank:	37,647

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Patrick Allen	Narrator
Tony Palmer	Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Tony Palmer	Director
Rob Ayling	Executive Producer
Alan Dykes	Sound Mixer

Editorial Reviews

Some four decades after first airing on the BBC, British cinematographer Tony Palmer has resurrected and restored this classic documentary for DVD. Contained within is not only Palmer's exemplary cultural slice of pop circa the height of the late-'60s hippie experience, but several added bonuses as well. Primary among them is a 40-plus minute interview where he addresses many of the open-ended questions and social statements proffered during the feature presentation, not to mention a roughly 90-second slide show with a gallery of still images from Ralph Stedman's Born Under a Bad Sign limited edition of bound lithographs. All My Loving (1967) holds up a mirror to the mixed messages that were beginning to emanate from pop and the so-called counterculture. Of course, as history has proven, the real thematic novelty is the antiquated naivete inherent in the mid- to late '60s movements -- be they women's rights, racially-based, or even politically motivated. Nowhere is that as evident as the verbiage versus the reality of the images beamed back into the world's living rooms from the battle fields of Vietnam. As opposed to most films of its ilk, the long list of notables featured in All My Loving couldn't be further from the typical talking heads who made it their business to hype the likes of the Beatles or their endless coterie of followers. Point of fact, it was none other than John Lennon and Paul McCartney themselves who had instigated the notion that Palmer should create a living audio/visual testament to the increasingly turbulent times. Joining them are a literal who's who of pop icons such as Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend, Pink Floyd, the era's preeminent power trio Cream, Donovan, Frank Zappa, as well as Eric Burdon from the Animals. There are also fascinating comments by behind the scenes key support players such as Kit Lambert, George Martin, Derek Taylor, and Tony Hall. Their perspective -- from the point of view held by many of Swinging London's movers and shakers -- is radically different when compared to the musicians they either work for or represent. Modern (21st century) eyes and ears will find the conversations with Tin Pan Alley alum and publisher Eddie Rogers fascinating as he revives memories of the so-called "Old Pals Act." This bit of salesmanship mentality is defined at its most salient as songwriters and publishers were little more than the musical equivalent of used auto hawkers. As a deeper leitmotif, the discussion throughout All My Loving turns to love as a media concept. Or, perhaps if love still has relevance as inspiration in art and not only for the artisans. Likewise touched upon is how the concept of love has turned pop music from simple entertainment into multimillion dollar commerce. The bonus interview with Palmer offers additional first-hand insight into how Lennon encouraged the creation of the film and the proclamation that they were attempting to make. ~ Lindsay Planer