Joe Cocker: Mad Dogs & Englishmen (1971)

Nice effects though.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Sure this on-tour movie is cliched in parts, none more so than with the post-Woodstock-ian split-screen techniques thrown into every musical sequence, but the whole is elevated by the great music this 30 strong band of gypsies generates.The story was that Joe, seeking to capitalise on his new-found Stateside success, found himself without a band for a coast to coast tour booked well in advance. Whereupon his US record label introduced him to the Master Of Space And Time, Mr Leon Russell who not only put together this massive band, comprising such later luminaries as Stones saxophonist Bobby Keys and most of Derek's (Eric Clapton) Dominos as well as Leon's own Delta Lady Rita Coolidge on backing vocalists, but also played lead guitar and lead piano, as well as arranging the music.I love the big sound this band makes, with almost every song given the celebratory, evangelical treatment just bound to get the crowd going. The song selection is excellent, lesser known Cocker gems like "Space Captain" and "Darling Be Home Soon" rubbing shoulders with established classics like "Feelin' Alright", "The Letter" and of course Joe's piece-de-resistance "With A Little Help From My Friends".One could argue that Cocker was something of an extra in his own movie which is partly due to Russell's charismatic presence, whether on guitar or piano, but also because Joe himself seems like such a self-effacing guy. Even when interviewed on camera, Cocker doesn't really have a lot to say and you can tell he's happiest when letting his frazzled larynx rip on songs whether he's live in concert or having a knees-up on the tour bus.So, nothing revelatory here either in the music, anything said by the contributors or the presentation of the film itself. Still, it's an entertaing travelogue by a band the size and quality of which hasn't been witnessed too many times since.

Charming, messy documentary of Joe Cocker's 1970 American tour. Some really fun performances are captured here (and, gratefully songs are allowed to pay out at their full length). At the same time, we get a pretty fascinating voyeur's peek into the odd, wild commune like life of Cocker's tour; a huge number of musicians, girlfriends, wives, babies, roadies and the occasional groupie. And, perhaps funniest of all, the off-screen Cocker – who's on stage energy and almost spastic movements famously make him look like a man possessed –off-stage seems like a quiet, likable, thoughtful, even somewhat shy fellow. Not a particularly deep film, but an enjoyable two hours if you're at all interested in Cocker and his hard edged rock-blues-gospel approach to some great classic rock tunes.

First off, if you're looking for some good music and classic concert footage, this movie is a hit. I'm sorry that I'm too young to have made it to this show. Unfortunately, I think the movie falters is in its storytelling. This was a band of some 30 people put together for a tour with Joe Cocker. It would have been nice to get a glimpse of how it all came together. The movie does drag from time to time, and I found it difficult to make it all the way through the 2 hours. Now with that said, there are still some great scenes, including one that I swear Rob Reiner flat out stole for "Spinal Tap". I'd say it's worth a look. The music alone is worth it, but keep your finger close to the fast forward button.

"Mad Dogs and Englishmen" is the account of Joe Cocker's 1970 American Tour. There is lots of great music, but the impression the film left me is what joy there is when good music is being made.It was made in the same vein as "Woodstock" the 1970 Oscar winner for Best Documentary. "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" is even better than "Woodstock". I don't want to sound like a spoiled sport, but the best parts of "Woodstock" were the musical sequences and "MDAE" is loaded with songs, 21 to be exact.Cocker exudes a kind of kinetic energy rarely seen anymore. His body moves with the music. He isn't just singing; he feels it. And when the band finishes up with an exceptional take, we see the joy they feel. It was a highlight in "Woodstock" and here, with a 2 hour running time, you can't help but feel exhilarated after it ends. I know I did.Sadly, "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" is not as well known as "Woodstock", mostly due to the rights being in limbo for so long. Now, A&M Video preserves the film on tape, with the multi-image widescreen images intact and the result is a unearthed treasure. The album only covers some of the bases. The film covers them all.**** out of 4 stars