| Description |
1 videodisc (84 min.) : sound, color with black and white sequences ; 4 3/4 in. |
| System Details |
DVD; Region 0 (All), NTSC; Dolby digital stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround; widescreen presentation, 1.85:1 aspect ratio. |
| Note |
Composed from court records, interviews, and "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg; animation inspired by "Illuminated Poems" by Allen Ginsberg and Eric Drooker. |
| Cast |
James Franco, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, Bob Balaban, Alessandro Nivola, Treat Williams, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels. |
| Credits |
Director of photography, Ed Lachman ; production designer, Thérèse Deprez ; editor, Jake Pushinsky ; costume designers, Kurt and Bart ; music, Carter Burwell ; animation designed by Eric Drooker. |
| Audience |
MPAA rating: R; for strong sexual content including language and images, and some drug material. |
| Summary |
In 1957, in San Francisco, poet Allen Ginsberg has just published "Howl." This distinctive work immediately generates a great deal of controversy. Publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti has been sued on charges of obscenity, as many feel the poem is simply too explicit for publication (it contains strong language and frank references to homosexuality). When prosecutor Ralph McIntosh and defender Jake Ehrlich go head to head in front of Judge Clayton Horn, freedom of expression hangs in the balance. For the author, filled with the heady joy of poetic success, the trial demands the courage of being Allen Ginsberg--himself. |
| Note |
Bonus features: Audio commentary with James Franco, Rob Epstein, and Jeffrey Friedman [audio feature]; Holy! Holy! Holy!: The making of "Howl" [featurette] (40 min.); Director's research tapes-interviews with Ginsberg's close friends and collaborators [featurette] (20 min.); Allen Ginsberg reads "Howl" at the Knitting Factory [featurette] (26 min.); James Franco reads "Howl" [audio feature] (25 min.); Oscilloscope releases [previews] (4 min.). |
| Language |
In English with optional subtitles in English or French. |
| Note |
GMD: videorecording. |
| Subject |
Ginsberg, Allen, 1926-1997 -- Trials, litigation, etc. -- Drama.
|
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Poets, American -- 20th century -- Drama.
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Trials (Obscenity) -- United States -- Drama.
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Legal drama, American.
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San Francisco (Calif.) -- Drama.
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New York (N.Y.) -- Drama.
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| Genre/Form |
Biographical films.
|
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Experimental films.
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Feature films.
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| Added Author |
Epstein, Robert P., 1955- Screenwriter. Director. Producer.
|
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Friedman, Jeff (Jeffrey) Screenwriter. Director. Producer.
|
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Redleaf, Elizabeth. Producer.
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Walker, Christine Kunewa. Producer.
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Franco, James, 1978- Actor.
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Strathairn, David. Actor.
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Hamm, Jon, 1971- Actor.
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Balaban, Bob. Actor.
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Nivola, Alessandro. Actor.
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Williams, Treat. Actor.
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Parker, Mary-Louise. Actor.
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Daniels, Jeff, 1955- Actor.
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Burwell, Carter. Composer.
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Ginsberg, Allen, 1926-1997
Howl.
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Drooker, Eric, 1958-
Illuminated poems.
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Oscilloscope Laboratories (Firm)
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Telling Pictures.
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Oscilloscope Pictures.
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| Standard No. |
896602002265 |
| Music No. |
OSC-026 Oscilloscope Laboratories |
|
OSC 26 Oscilloscope Laboratories |
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