Beware Of Mr. Baker (2012)
93%RT Audience Score: 87%
Awards & Nominations: 5 wins & 3 nominations
Beware of Mr. Baker is a fascinating and captivating documentary that delves into the life of the legendary drummer Ginger Baker. The film offers a warts-and-all portrait of the irascible and impossible talent, who treated life much like his instrument. The editing is buzzily done, and the story is cracking, making it an illuminating insight into recent rock history. The documentary neither eulogizes nor patronizes its subject, and it’s a deceptively unconventional rock ‘n’ roll tale of drink, drugs, drums, and ponies. The film is essential viewing for classic rock fans and anyone who loves a good rogue of questionable moral character, undeniable talent, and a road case full of excellent stories. Overall, Beware of Mr. Baker is a jaw-dropping and insanely enjoyable documentary that will leave you both elated and saddened.
If you’re a fan of classic rock, jazz, or just good old-fashioned insanity, Beware of Mr. Baker is the documentary for you. This film tells the story of Ginger Baker, the legendary drummer who lived life on the edge (and sometimes over it). From his wild antics on tour to his tumultuous personal life, Baker’s story is as fascinating as it is disturbing. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of great music to balance out the madness. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride – just don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Production Company(ies)
Warner Bros., Legendary Entertainment, Syncopy
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2013
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 28, 2012 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 14, 2013
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, Ginger Baker, Cream, Blind Faith, Jay Bulger, Fisher Stevens, Erik H Gordon, Andrew S Karsch, written by Jay Bulger, directed by Jay Bulger, produced by Fisher Stevens, Erik H Gordon, Andrew S Karsch, genre, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Tim Robey, Peter Bradshaw, Mark Asch, Nigel Andrews, Daniel Green, Kelly Jane Torrance, Pat Padua, Benjamin H Smith, critic reviews, MPAA rating, Carmine Appice, Bonnie Bramlett, Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, Stewart Copeland
Worldwide gross: $210,123
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $266,929
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,878
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 29,109
US/Canada gross: $116,476
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $147,965
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,597
US/Canada opening weekend: $12,195
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $15,492
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,592
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Ginger Baker – Self
Bonnie Bramlett – Self
Jack Bruce – Self
Eric Clapton – Self
Stewart Copeland – Self
Director(s)
Jay Bulger
Writer(s)
Jay Bulger
Producer(s)
Fisher Stevens, Erik H. Gordon, Jay Bulger, Andrew S. Karsch
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (53) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (52) | Rotten (1)
A cracking story, buzzily edited, this warts-and-warts portrait delivers an illuminating insight into recent rock history. Don’t miss it.
September 5, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Larushka Ivan-Zadeh
metro.co.uk
TOP CRITIC
Bleakly entertaining, Beware of Mr Baker neither eulogises nor patronises its subject; one day (though possibly not soon), Baker may take it upon himself to say thanks.
May 17, 2013 | Rating: 4/5
Charlotte O’Sullivan
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
It’s a broadly forgiving portrait of an impossible, irascible talent, who seems to have treated life much like his instrument.
May 16, 2013 | Rating: 3/5
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
We are always being told that books and movies have to have “sympathetic” lead characters – well, here’s a documentary that does very well without one.
May 16, 2013 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
An interesting character study interspersed with classic rock, jazz and Afrobeat clips. Nothing more, but certainly nothing less.
May 16, 2013 | Rating: 3/5
Mark Asch
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
It’s all insanely enjoyable.
May 16, 2013 | Rating: 4/5
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
A deceptively unconventional rock ‘n’ roll tale of drink, drugs, drums and ponies, Bulger’s Beware of Mr. Baker saddens as much as it elates.
February 25, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Daniel Green
CineVue
As jaw-dropping as Ginger Baker’s drumming is, the man himself is even more rattling.
December 17, 2018 | Rating: 3/4
Kelly Jane Torrance
Washington Examiner
The kind of august rogue who threatens to put his director in hospital and punches him in the face with a cane-and makes him like it.
August 30, 2018
Pat Padua
DCist
…essential viewing for classic rock fans and anyone who loves a good rogue of questionable moral character, undeniable talent and a road case full of excellent stories.
April 30, 2018
Benjamin H. Smith
Decider
What makes this an excellent music doc is the sadness that comes through the madness.
October 31, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Matthew Bond
The Mail on Sunday (UK)
An entertaining doc on the volatile but great jazz and rock drummer, the controversial London born Ginger Baker.
December 15, 2013 | Rating: B
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews…
Plot
Filmmaker Jay Bulger interviews legendary and often volatile drummer Ginger Baker of the rock groups Cream and Blind Faith in the documentary Beware of Mr. Baker.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Ginger Baker, the subject of the documentary, is described as “legendary and often volatile drummer of the rock groups Cream and Blind Faith.”
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