The U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006)
84%RT Audience Score: 81%
Awards & Nominations: 2 nominations
Though it glosses over anything negative about Lennon, this documentary offers a lot of fascinating archival footage, plus its political issues still have relevance for today
The U.S. vs. John Lennon is a documentary that proves that even a musician can make a difference in the world. It’s like watching a superhero movie, but instead of fighting villains with superpowers, John Lennon fights for peace and justice with his music. The film shows how the government tried to silence him, but he never backed down. It’s inspiring to see how one person can make such a big impact, and it’s a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference in our own way. Plus, the soundtrack is pretty awesome too!
Production Company(ies)
Selznick International Pictures,, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
Distributor
Lionsgate Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for some strong language, violent images and drug references
Year of Release
2006
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Color:Color
Black and White -
Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1
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Runtime:1h 39m
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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): Sep 15, 2006 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 13, 2007
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
starring John Lennon, directed by David Leaf, directed by John Scheinfeld, written by John Scheinfeld, written by David Leaf, documentary, PG-13, Lionsgate Films, $1.1M box office, reviewed by Stella Papamichael, reviewed by Damon Wise, reviewed by Roger Moore, reviewed by Peter Travers, reviewed by David Jenkins, reviewed by Bill Muller, reviewed by Michael Szymanski, reviewed by Jonathan Kiefer, reviewed by Felix Vasquez Jr., reviewed by Ryan Cracknell, John Lennon as Self, David Leaf as Director, John Scheinfeld as Director, John Scheinfeld as Writer, David Leaf as Writer, Yoko Ono, Vietnam War, political activism, archival footage, soundtrack, G Gordon Liddy, Angela Davis, Bobby Searle, Malcolm X, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, leftist activists, right-wing government, pacifist, Newtopia, borderless world country, citizen, oppression, fascism, Orwellian, documentary film, 1966-1976, antiwar activities, power of celebrity, musical talent, English language, limited release, streaming release, drug references, violent images, some strong language
Worldwide gross: $1,408,065
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,076,413
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,401
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 226,435
US/Canada gross: $1,109,146
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,635,610
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,088
US/Canada opening weekend: $69,143
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $101,962
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,925
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
David Leaf – Director, Writer
John Scheinfeld – Director, Writer
Director(s)
David Leaf, John Scheinfeld
Writer(s)
John Scheinfeld, David Leaf
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (97) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (75) | Rotten (22)
If anything this film proves that song can have more impact than a little toe tapping and tub-thumping.
December 30, 2006 | Rating: 3/5
Stella Papamichael
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
What promises to be a provocative account of the late Beatle’s involvement with the American underground delivers precious little in this Yoko-approved documentary.
November 29, 2006 | Rating: 2/5
Damon Wise
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
By the time The U.S. vs. John Lennon is done, the filmmakers have reinforced the sense that pop music once produced prophets, as well as profits.
November 24, 2006 | Rating: 4/5
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
Lennon’s spirit, like his music, shines through this movie like a beacon.
November 24, 2006 | Rating: 3/4
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
The film paints with swaggeringly broad strokes, the basic thesis being Lennon = good, government = bad.
October 28, 2006
David Jenkins
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Humanizing Lennon to those who might find the man a bit inaccessible, and adding the word ‘courage’ to his long list of positive attributes.
October 12, 2006 | Rating: 4/5
Bill Muller
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
The film’s most obvious asset is a splendid soundtrack containing dozens of songs from Lennon’s solo career…
May 12, 2020
David Lamble
Bay Area Reporter
November 20, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
Michael Szymanski
Hollywood.com
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
Jonathan Kiefer
Sacramento News & Review
A powerful statement about how in a country of “democracy,” the peace keepers are deemed the most dangerous to civilization…
July 10, 2007 | Rating: 4/4
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
An excellent documentary in charting how celebrities can use their public status for good, especially if they have the guts to turn their backs on what made them famous for a greater good.
June 21, 2007
Ryan Cracknell
Calgary Movies
The breadth of interviews was quite good, and the film goes to great pains to situate Lennon within the wider political framework of the day. Everyone from G. Gordon Liddy to Geraldo are trotted out to either decry or justify the treatment that the Nixon
June 21, 2007 | Rating: B+
Jason Gorber
Film Scouts…
Plot
After background about the childhood and youth of John Lennon (1940-1980) and the birth of Vietnam-War protests, the film plunges into Lennon’s quest for world peace: compositions such as “Give Peace a Chance”, the lie-in following his marriage to Yoko Ono, appearances at concerts, “War Is Over” posters, and plans for a series of concerts in 1972 in U.S. presidential primary states reach newly-enfranchised young voters. This plan for concerts, in particular, led a prominent Senator, the FBI’s J. Edgar Hoover, and Nixon’s White House to initiate a concerted and illegal effort to deport Lennon. Thirty talking heads, led by Yoko, comment on Lennon and these events.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about “The U.S. vs. John Lennon.”
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