Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune

2011 1h 36m EN

👍

6.6

SOLID

★6.6TMDB · 7

DocumentaryMusic

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

From civil rights to the anti-war movement to the struggles of workers, folksinger Phil Ochs wrote topical songs that engaged his audiences in the issues of the 1960s and 70s. In this biographical documentary, veteran director Kenneth Bowser shows how Phil's music and his fascinating life story and eventual decline into depression and suicide were intertwined with the history-making events that defined a generation. Even as his contemporaries moved into folk-rock and pop music, Phil followed his own vision, challenging himself and his listeners. Not one to pull punches, Ochs never achieved the commercial success he desperately desired. But his music remains relevant, reaching new audiences in a generation that finds his themes all too familiar.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Phil Ochs
Self (archive footage)
Tom Paxton
Self
Jello Biafra
Self
Christopher Hitchens
Self
Billy Bragg
Self
Joan Baez
Self
Ed Sanders
Self
Pete Seeger
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Kenneth Bowser
Writers: Kenneth Bowser
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 5

ERA

Did you know

Released 15 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 5

CRAFT

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 5

CAST

Did you know

Phil Ochs and Tom Paxton and Jello Biafra carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 5

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt1597089 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 5

WILD

Did you know

Only 7 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Kenneth Bowser directs. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 15 years ago.
2Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
3Phil Ochs and Tom Paxton and Jello Biafra carry the top of the cast.
4IMDB entry: tt1597089 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
5Only 7 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.