The Monkees movie Head Dolenz Tork Nesmith Jones 1968 new release by cinephile

HEAD 1968

Hey hey we're the Monkees....

The flick that flopped is now a cult classic for summing up the mind-set of so many surreal sixties filmmakers. Just before they both hit the big time, Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson co-wrote the film, aimed at giving them a boost but actually ended the Monkees, America's own version of Brit's mop top Beatles. The Monkees starred Davy Jones, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith. It was short-lived but nobody dreamt the media creation decades later would be the first in a series of movies pulled together for their ability to capture an era in film making, one more personal, more improvised.

Head is the first film in the Criterion Collection called America: Lost and Found, the BBS Collection. They include five other movies, from the obscure In A Safe Place (1971) to the blockbuster Easy Rider (1969). The best parts of these are the 2-disk commentary by directors and actors, the outtakes, theatrical trailers, and even footage (in Head) of Jack Nicholson walking around with the Monkees as they rehearse. See a scene from our YouTube upload here!

This listing is for HEAD only. The movie has no real plot or organized script but it's great satire mixed with anti-war protest. The features alone are worth it. HEAD, for example, has an audio commentary featuring the Monkees, An interview with director Rafelson, Nicholson, plus screen tests for the Monkees, trailers and TV and radio spots and a rare 1968 interview with the Monkees.

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