Known
as the Britastic member of the iconic band, The Beatles, this documentary
clearly demonstrates Lennon's passion other than music. Sinking into his political
beliefs and memoirs of his tirade against the US Government, The U.S V/S JOHN
LENNON focuses on his greater beliefs and appetite for peace.
Despite the promiscuous Seventies and the swinging Sixties there were far
more fuelled events that categorised his living memories. In narrating Lennon's
thoughts, hopes and life, The U.S V/S JOHN LENNON is a profound insight on
Lennon's philosophy and empowerment. Being one of the most celebrated artists
of his time, The U.S V/S JOHN LENNON depicts how Lennon used his fame and
money to counteract and protest against the Vietnam War and stump for world
peace.
In portraying Lennon's quest to advocate world peace the documentary contains
an array of views and opinions from notable figures such as, political activists,
Angela Davis, Black Panthers, Bobby Seale, and the Nixon Administration officials
G. Gordon Liddy and John Dean, amongst other influential voices that convey
Lennon as an influential figure.
Having been perceived outspoken and a political threat to the US for his moral
values and involvement in peace demonstrations, the film captures Lennon in
an intense and personal light. In documenting his charismatic persona the
feature revisits Lennon's childhood to the never- before -seen archives of
the Lennon and Ono union, described by one source as, "When he met Yoko
he met the rest of his voice."
As the feature delves into the infamous bed interview of the couple, 'Bed
Peace' and extracts of incisive interviews with Lennon, The U.S V/S JOHN LENNON
sets an unprecedented mark on Lennon's travels for peace and non-violence.
Filmmakers, David Leaf and John Scheinfield illuminate the era of Lennon's
campaign, by neatly embedding Lennon's songs within the documentary. Tracks
like, 'Give Peace a Chance', Happy Xmas (War is Over) and the notorious, 'Imagine'
all provide a greater definition to Lennon's mindset and subconsciously indicate,
'The pen is mightier than the sword'.
Though the ending gears towards Lennon's death, the documentary serves as
an in-depth biography of the realities of not only Lennon's challenges, but
his resilience and refusal to be silenced by the US. Confronting the status
quo through his profound words, melodies, songs and intelligible lyrics, Lennon
sums it up, "The only thing I ever wanted to do is play in a Rock n'
Roll band- can't let them take that away from me."