Australian documentarian Alison Ellwood masters the artistic side of storytelling with the 2020 piece “Laurel Canyon.”
Ellwood directed the two-part series, which earned three Emmy nominations from Television Academy voters. The film depicts the music scene in the Hollywood Hills that erupted in the late 1960s. As both a student of music and of history, I was thoroughly engaged.
Laurel Canyon
After viewing the movie, one could correctly ascribe the birthplace of American Folk Rock music to the titular locale.
The decade of the 1960s is a pivotal one in US history as it is. The Civil Rights movement, Vietnam, Landing on the Moon – all events are depicted with the artists that experienced it. Even the murderous Charles Manson plays an integral part in the story. The importance of art is apparent.
Photographers Henry Diltz and Nurit Wilde narrate Laurel Canyon; both lived in the area and spent countless hours with the musicians.
Ditlz and Wilde have hundreds of photographs they took shown in the piece. The pictures are stunning, capturing this beautiful moment in history. Candid shots of famous musicians like Jim Morrison, David Crosby, Joni Mitchell, to mention only a few, truly add an indescribable aura to the story. It’s impossible to believe that all these big names were together at the same time and place.
We also get voiceovers from the musicians themselves; living and long dead. Alison Ellwood compiled an amazing trough of footage, clips, interviews, that will keep you hooked.
As expected, the soundtrack is state of the art. Have your download app ready, you will doubtless encounter a plethora of new songs and artists to hear.
“Laurel Canyon” is an excellent watch for fans of music. Its perfectly presented in two parts, with a total time of 157 minutes.
