When You're Strange

When You're Strange

17/1/2009 1h 26m 7.3/10

Overview

The creative chemistry of four brilliant artists —drummer John Densmore, guitarist Robby Kreiger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and singer Jim Morrison— made The Doors one of America's most iconic and influential rock bands. Using footage shot between their formation in 1965 and Morrison's death in 1971, it follows the band from the corridors of UCLA's film school, where Manzarek and Morrison met, to the stages of sold-out arenas.

Director

Tom DiCillo

Top Billed Cast

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp

Narrator (voice)

Jim Morrison

Jim Morrison

Self (archive footage)

John Densmore

John Densmore

Self (archive footage)

Robby Krieger

Robby Krieger

Self (archive footage)

Ray Manzarek

Ray Manzarek

Self (archive footage)

Jim Ladd

Self (voice)

Reviews

Wuchak

3/17/2018

10/10

Great documentary on The Doors. RELEASED IN 2009 and written & directed by Tom DiCillo, "The Doors: When You're Strange" documents the rise and fall of The Doors from 1966-1971, narrated by Johnny Depp. From beginning to end, archival footage and photos of the band are featured focusing on the members: Ray Manzarek (keyboardist), Robby Krieger (guitarist), John Densmore (percussionist) and, especially (of course), Jim Morrison (singer/lyricist). I’ve only seen two documentaries on The Doors, the one featured on Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” (1991) DVD, which features modern interviews with the band members & linking people (like Morrison’s witchy former babe, who loathed the movie), and this one. Both documentaries are great, but “The Doors: When You’re Strange” doesn’t focus on modern interviews, although some of the luminaries are asked questions in the archival footage. The documentary is just transfixing from beginning to end and features 37 songs by the iconic band. Depp is, surprisingly, an excellent narrator and not goofy at all. Even if you’re familiar with the band you’ll probably gain some new tidbits. For instance, the band curiously never had a bass player, although Elvis’ bass player performed on their last album; as such, keyboardist Manzarek made up for it by essentially playing bass on one hand. Manzarek, by the way, passed away in May, 2013, at the age of 74. THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour 25 minutes. GRADE: A

Similar Movies

School of Rock

7.1

School of Rock

2003

This Is Spinal Tap

7.4

This Is Spinal Tap

1984

Anvil! The Story of Anvil

7.6

Anvil! The Story of Anvil

2008

The Thin Blue Line

7.7

The Thin Blue Line

1988

Franco on Trial: The Spanish Nuremberg?

0.0

Franco on Trial: The Spanish Nuremberg?

2018

Incident at Oglala

7.0

Incident at Oglala

1992

BOCCHI THE ROCK! Recap Part 2

7.3

BOCCHI THE ROCK! Recap Part 2

2024

Def Leppard: And There Will Be a Next Time - Live from Detroit

7.5

Def Leppard: And There Will Be a Next Time - Live from Detroit

2016

California's Golden Beginning

0.0

California's Golden Beginning

1948

Flood in the Desert

10.0

Flood in the Desert

2022

The T.A.M.I. Show

8.0

The T.A.M.I. Show

1964

Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic

7.0

Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic

2006

Eput the Movie

6.3

Eput the Movie

2016

Muse - Absolution Tour

7.0

Muse - Absolution Tour

2005