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Deep Dive: When You're Strange (2010)

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When You're Strange
When You're Strange is a music documentary about the American rock band the Doors, written and directed by Tom DiCillo. The film chronicles the band's formation in 1965, their rise to fame, and the impact of lead vocalist Jim Morrison's substance abuse on the group, culminating in his death in Paris in July 1971. It features archival footage from rehearsals, TV broadcasts, and concerts, as well as private cine-film and details surrounding Morrison's arrest at a 1969 concert in Miami. The film includes the first public release of material from Morrison's 1969 featurette HWY: An American Pastoral. The surviving members of the Doors chose to limit their involvement in the project to maintain a neutral perspective. The film was narrated by Johnny Depp after initial narration was criticized for its monotonous delivery.

Why Watch

  • •See rare archival footage of the Doors.
  • •Meet Jim Morrison through personal stories.
  • •Find out about Morrison's Miami concert arrest.

Did You Know

•The film was first screened at the Sundance Film Festival on January 17, 2009.
•Jim Morrison died in Paris in July 1971 at the age of 27.
•The film received a 60% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 70 reviews.
•The film won a Grammy Award for Best Long Form Video in February 2011.

Perfect For

Rock music fansDocumentary enthusiastsDoors aficionados