When You're Strange

4.0

0.0 (0)

When You're Strange, narrated by Johnny Depp, is part documentary, part attempt to de-Oliver Stone The Doors, and it delivers both brilliantly.

The film, uses rare footage shot between 1966 and 1971 of Jim Morrison and the band performing, living and working together during a tumultuous time during the band's career. The film documents the definition of ‘The Doors sound’ and their stunning rise to fame, the problems they had at the top and their ultimate downfall.

Due to the wealth of footage available, no new scenes were shot for the film, making it a remarkable visual effort and leaves it without the need for the dramatization of Stone’s 1991 film The Doors. The documentary gives also gives a fantastic insight to the dynamics of the band, especially John Densmore, Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek, who all seem to be all too aware that their success was largely due to Jim Morrison’s public persona.

The film takes a look at this persona and portrays Morrison as perhaps more calculating in his public image than we are led to believe by either folklore or The Doors film. Morrison’s slow slide into alcoholism and his mental difficulties are also explored.

This is a fascinating, and at times, moving film about one of the most groundbreaking bands of the late 1960’s.

WATCH IT FOR

The archival footage - some it looks as if it was shot with actors.

MISS IT FOR

Depp's narration - it doesn't add a lot to the film and is sometimes distracting.

Watch the trailer

Editor review

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