Imagine (Deluxe Edition) |  | Director: Andrew Solt
Actors: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $9.79
as of 9/4/2010 09:01 EDT details
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Rating:  83 reviews
Sales Rank: 13,393
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Region: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 012569726550
ISBN: 1419815784
UPC: 012569726550
EAN: 9781419815782
ASIN: B000AYELY2
Theatrical Release Date: October 7, 1988
Release Date: December 6, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
It can hardly be a coincidence that this "deluxe edition" of John Lennon - Imagine should be issued in late 2005, a couple of months after what would have been the former Beatle's 65th birthday and mere days before the 25th anniversary of his death. Whether that's cynical, poignant, or just good marketing is moot; what matters is that Lennon's impact, not just as a musician but as a public figure, remains largely undiminished. The film, released theatrically in 1988, will already be familiar to many fans. "Narrated" by Lennon himself and culled from hundreds of hours of footage, much of it home movies shot by John and Yoko Ono, Imagine is a substantial, reasonably illuminating portrait of the man, warts and all, from childhood through the Beatle years, his solo career, and his life with Yoko straight up to his fatal encounter with Mark David Chapman. It's the new bonus features that are the principal draw here; but whether or not they qualify as "deluxe" is arguable. The Lennons' radio interview with a BBC reporter is notable mostly for John's patience in the face of idiotic questions like "Is love very important to young people today?" The ten or so minutes spent with Lennon's school headmaster, William Ernest Pobjoy (love the name), yield little insight, especially considering that the two were at the school at the same time for just one year, half a century ago; likewise, a new "making of" documentary with Ono, writer-director Andrew Solt, producer David Wolper, and others isn't exactly ground-breaking. However, a previously unreleased performance of "Imagine," with Lennon and some unknown accompanists on acoustic guitar, is nice, as is some heretofore unseen footage of the Lennons at home on their Tittenhurst Estate. Add to that a fine transfer and Dolby digital sound, and you have another addition to the filmed legacy of the Beatles--a subject that, for many of us, will never be old news. --Sam Graham
Product Description
Lennon's voice provides the narration to this biographical documentary, compiled by the producers from over 240 hours of film and videotape.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 83
 imagine all the people August 16, 2010
B. E Jackson (Pennsylvania)
Well I finally got a chance to see the film that sparked a double album that BOTH my parents and my aunt happened to buy for me as a birthday present the same year. Oops!!! I still have both copies in mint condition though!
The topics you will witness while watching John Lennon: Imagine are basically a combination of both his time with the Beatles and his solo career with Yoko. The film devotes an equal amount of time to each period of John's life.
I like how the movie constantly jumps around from his Beatles days to his solo career. One moment you will see the Beatles performing in famous locations (mostly focused on their later days when Yoko was with the band) and other times you see Lennon performing alone on his house piano, with Yoko and other band mates standing around and watching him play (in addition to showing Lennon and Yoko in the studio).
You will also hear discussions from Lennon's first wife, and his temporary girlfriend, May Pang. Lennon's kids also share some memories of their father, and I really like the way the kids come across as confident and intelligent, just like their father.
My favorite part of this Imagine documentary however, are the famous interviews people conducted with John Lennon (some of which were rather heated and angry as you probably recall). This film includes those interviews, completely uncut so you're able to hear all the swear words in all their uncensored glory. You're even treated to those nude scenes involving John and Yoko, along with his famous bedroom incident.
I also admire how the people who put down this collection of lost Lennon interviews kept intact the very best parts. That's important.
One thing that felt missing was a detailed explanation concerning Lennon's role in American politics. This could have been touched upon more than it was. After all, this is definitely a crucial part of Lennon's legacy.
Overall, a great documentary of a legendary musician.
Best Film Biography I've Seen June 2, 2010
Barbara Badham (petaluma, CA)
Wow! If I could give this more than five stars I would. The film footage, at about an hour and 45 minutes, is largely culled from Lennon's own home movies and the extensive interviews conducted with him over the years. He "narrates" what you are seeing, and the soundtrack offers up 36 songs. You get to see this complex man through the eyes of many other people--there are interesting interviews with Cynthia and Julian Lennon, George Martin, Aunt Mimi, Yoko Ono, and Sean Lennon, to name just a few. You get a helicopter tour of John's gorgeous Tittenhurst estate, hear him describe his relationship with his mother, watch him invite a homeless man in for lunch, and see conservative cartoonist Al Capp (of Li'l Abner fame) argue with John during his bed-in. There is plenty of Beatles' coverage as well that allows you to appreciate their wit and charm, without their becoming the focus. (Actually, I would have liked to hear more commentary from them about this man who led them into fame and then walked away from them as individuals after the group's break-up. Now THAT would be interesting.) The film depicts John from cradle to grave, handling his death openly without sensationalizing it. Now almost 30 years later, this DVD offers us a personal look at his artistic and political legacies and it seems like they are secure. Watch it as a tribute and as a review of history, and skip the "deluxe extras." You will enjoy it more.
 Imagine, different books with same title March 23, 2010
Sheena Carver
Review of the sky-blue coffee table book:
This is a slim coffee table book with photographs of John Lennon, interspersed with song lyrics from "Imagine," and includes a handful of photos of John with Yoko. I love the photos of John when he was younger, looking so handsome and often sporting a witty smirk. Overall, though, I wasn't enthused with the book. With so few pages -only 48- there isn't much room to showcase the artistic beauty of the man who dreamed of "all the people living life in peace." (3 stars)
Review of Imagine, the children's book:
This is a children's book with illustrations to go with the lyrics to John Lennon's song, Imagine. The artwork is sweet and colorful, with pictures showing Central Park and the New York skyline. This is a nice book for open minded peace-loving parents & teachers to share with children. (4 stars)
Dry, clinical, biased and incomplete November 1, 2009
Nowhere Man
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Compared to all that "Beatles rare and unseen" hastily issued material during the last 20 years, this documentary is really excellent: coherent, articulated, well-documented and illustrated. Nevertheless, after having watched it to the last bonus, beyond the sadness, I remained with a taste of sand, of dryness and of incompleteness, despite the richness of sounds, images and footage. No comparison with the generosity and equanimity of the Beatles Anthology.
Major shortcomings:
1. The complete absence of the other Beatles "testimonies and points or view" is at least weird in a material where you find even Aunt Mimi. If they declined to participate, the producers should have mentioned this "detail".
2. In spite of the somewhat spicy and controversial details--Al Capp's visit during the bed-in, John's argument with a journalist, John's anger when recording with Phil, John's calling Paul names in his 'How Do You Sleep?' recording session, John's frustration that the papers said Yoko was ugly--meant to give the impression (illusion?) of objectivity, the "orientation" of the documentary it's obvious, therefore needless to be explicated. Yes, the producers said they weren't influenced by anybody. At best, they made a clear effort of, let's say, diplomacy. But no, it IS tedentious, subjective and ultimately unfair.
3. Lots of essential details, crucial for a fair understanding of Lennon's personality and life were omitted, passed under silence, leaving the watcher (buyer/customer) with a poor, unilateral, cartoon-like view of John Lennon. Something like one of his caricatures.
But, as John would say in 1980, music is the most important of all, and there are some pieces of music in this documentary.
Lesson in Peace and Understanding. Like living with Lennon. September 9, 2008
J. Powell (Brooklyn, NY United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This DVD is simply great, if you are even slightly interested in John Lennon.
It contains so much "behind the scenes" footage, that I was very surprised that he was as accessible as he appears in this documentary.
One scene shows a lost young man, who trespasses on Lennon's property in London. Mr. Lennon was kind and empathetic enough to go out and talk with the fan, and then subsequently invite him in to eat at their table.
It's kind of freaky, in a way that might portend his final chapter.
I was never overly impressed with Lennon's singing voice, and I can deal with the politics, since he seemed genuine in his efforts. What I always admired about Mr. Lennon and the older version of the Beatles, is that he could really JAM. This DVD intertwines so much of his best music (and much Beatles music too) to chronical his life. The Ballad of John & Yoko, intertwined with their "love in / sleep in" is really cool and puts the "era" into perspective. This film clearly reveals a loving and caring person, who struggled to find his own answers in spite of his huge celebrity status. Some of the other video of the NYC years, are like watching your own home movies. It's simply very well done, and will provide deeper insight into a very important musical and historical figure.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 83
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