My comments on the “Don’t Look Back” DVD box set generated a few comments in return. Thanks for this from Jack, who begins by quoting RWB:

Well, no, let’s not lean on it too hard! Dylan didn’t much like it, and the new boxed set doesn’t seem to have any stamps of approval from “Dylan’s people” that would lead one to think he’s changed his mind substantially (although he does seem relatively relaxed these days about how people concoct their own spins on his career). He says in the quote above that he was shocked to see that the camera had been on him “all the time,” and no doubt he was surprised by some scenes, like anyone would be, although he had to know that he was being filmed in many instances. In any case, it’s not Dylan’s film, in the way that “Renaldo and Clara” and “Masked and Anonymous” are. It is D.A. Pennebaker’s movie, pure and simple. As Michael Moore has amply demonstrated, reality resides entirely in the editing.

It is Dylan’s film in the sense that he produced it (Ashes & Sand), and while the box may not have his “stamp of approval”, it is being advertized on his official web site.

Well, I guess we can argue about what “produce” means. Bob Dylan is not listed as a producer. I guess the reference to “Ashes and Sand” is to an incorporated entity that had some association with Dylan and which was involved in the original 1960s production. As Dylan says in the interview segment I quoted, when he actually saw the completed film he hated it, regardless of whatever legal connection he had to it. It is being advertised on www.bobdylan.com, indeed. Very recently I received a promotional e-mail from that same outlet saying:

And finally, here’s a worthwhile project that we’ve neglected to mention. It’s the fascinating GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY:THE GOSPEL SONGS OF BOB DYLAN. It includes interviews with band members Jim Keltner, Spooner Oldham and producer Jerry Wexler…

Well, so, all this time later, bobdylan.com is finally promoting that project — one which had Bob Dylan’s enthusiastic support, even to the extent of his going into the studio and recording a track for the CD version. It just shows that one should not connect the actions of the business people with the artist’s own preferences. Business is business, and there are certainly bucks to be made from retailing “Don’t Look Back” — bucks enough for everyone. The “stamp of approval” I would look for would be some kind of production credit to Jeff Rosen, Dylan’s ubiquitous personal archivist, in relation to the new boxed set. That doesn’t seem to appear anywhere, unless I’ve missed it. I don’t mean to make too much of this — Dylan hasn’t tried to stop the reissue of the movie, to my knowledge. But I stand by my previous surmise that he still doesn’t much like the thing.

And thanks to Mike W. who e-mailed about Albert Grossman, whom I had said I found hilarious:

What I remember most about “Don’t Look Back” is after the concert, riding in the limo, Bob is basking in the glow of success when the idiot Grossman punctures the moment with, “they say you’re an anarchist!”. You can see Bob’s face drop. Let the guy enjoy his moment. Grossman was one of those guys that took the air out of the room. Good manager, bad person.

Well, fair point, but I still find him pretty funny in the movie.

Thanks to Sue for these lengthy and wise remarks:

Just read your piece on “Don’t Look Back”. If you still haven’t listened to
the Neuwirth/Pennebaker commentary I’d say it’s well worth a listen. I
don’t have this boxed version but the copy I do have has the commentary and
I assume it’s the same one as used on that copy. The main reason for
listening to it is that it clears up some of the supposedly “tricky”
moments, for example the exchange with the student and the Time reporter. I
say “tricky” for those fans who see the film as an indictment on their
opinion that Bob is a hugely talented but
phoney/arrogant/cynical/egotistical..blah, blah, blah.

I actually love the film as I am a lover of documentaries in just about all
their forms but also hate it in some ways too and I would say for the same
reason Dylan dislikes it. That reason being of course is that I feel it is
the main culprit in establishing what I believe is the false image of Dylan
as the hugely talented, but…….see above. Every fan has seen it and most
have had their opinion of the man shaped by it if they’re new to his music,
or confirmed if they aren’t.

It’s funny the way people see him in this film.

I should say that I had only seen this film for the first time a few years
ago. At that time I had no access to the Internet and my only knowledge of
Bob was as a great artist through his recordings. As I’ve said before, I’m
only interested in what he has to say himself so I’ve not been a reader of
the endless bios and commentaries on his work. So when I finally got to see
“Don’t Look Back” it was as a cleanskin, so to speak. I can honestly say my
only reaction was that it was a fantastic documentary and I wanted to see it
again. Aside from a slight sympathy for the Time journo (but only slight as
I don’t think there was anything malicious about it) I didn’t come away
thinking bad things about Dylan. Maybe because I didn’t have the baggage or
preconceptions that I think a lot of fans do have.

I get a bit dismayed that people watch that film today, knowing that it was
made over 40 years ago now, and STILL see it as a template for Dylan the
man. In these people’s minds there is no concession given for his youth and
the unique position he was in in the public consciousness at the time; the
fact that the film doesn’t cover every minute of every day of the tour and
has been selectively edited; nor for that matter is there an appreciation
for the passage of time and the changes that brings to every person. That
was Dylan then, so that must be Dylan now. The film tells us so. It never
ceases to amaze me how people will say they distrust the media yet seem
willing to believe every word and every angle served up to them.

Who’d wanna be famous.

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