Don't Look Back

About Don't Look Back

'Don't Look Back' is an iconic American documentary film directed by D. A. Pennebaker that captures the biting, darkly comic and mesmerising force of Bob Dylan as he toured England in 1965. This acclaimed film reveals the essence of the young Dylan before he went electric. Thoroughly removed from the conventions of the rock 'n' roll mythology, the film displays the youthful and rebellious singer-songwriter at his most authentic, backstage, in hotel rooms, and in concert.

Making / Production

'Don't Look Back' is a product of D. A. Pennebaker's fly-on-the-wall style of filmmaking. The film is one the most notable examples of Direct Cinema, a type of document filmmaking that captures events as they naturally happen without scripts, setups, or rehearsing.

Actors

• Bob Dylan – The leading character himself, Bob Dylan, plays himself throughout the documentary. His portrayal gives us an intimate look at his life and talent.
• Joan Baez – As Bob Dylan’s then-girlfriend and an accomplished singer in her own right, Baez’s candid scenes exposes the dynamics of their relationship.
• Albert Grossman – Dylan’s manager Albert Grossman also features in the film, revealing the business end of Dylan's music career.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film's famous opening scene is often credited as being the first-ever music video.
• 'Don't Look Back' was listed as the 7th best documentary film by Sight & Sound magazine.
• The film is considered a significant influence on future rockumentaries and music videos.

Quotes

• "The idea was... to get as close to the people as filmmaking permits." - D. A. Pennebaker
• "People have different emotional levels. Especially when you're young." - Bob Dylan

Music, Soundtrack

• The documentary features numerous performances by Dylan, including songs like "It's all over now, Baby Blue" and "Love Minus Zero/No Limit".
• Joan Baez also graces the soundtrack with her voice in songs such as "Percy's Song" and "Love Is Just a Four-Letter Word".