Bound for Glory
Dir: Hal Ashby
1976
*****
1976's Bound for Glory is based on the autobiography of Woody Guthrie, a singer/songwriter and somewhat of a political activist who came known for his musical talents while crossing the country looking for work during the Great Depression. Although the man and songs are very real, this adaptation of his biography is fictional, only Guthrie and his first wife are real people. To be fair, it is the man and his songs that are most important, his journey is as it would have been for many looking for work during a desperate era. Robert Getchell is a brilliant scriptwriter, synonymous with 70's cinema who I really wish had written more, his screenplay is wonderful and suited Hal Ashby's style of direction perfectly. Ashby is a director whom I adore, this is one of his best but Haskell Wexler's cinematography is something else. Interestingly, this is also the first film in which the great Garrett Brown tested out his steady-cam for the first time, although many often think it was first used in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, it was actually used in Rocky and Return of the Jedi between both films. It is a beautiful looking film, the dusty red hue ever present representing the aridity of life's struggles. It's a breath of fresh air to have a film whereby the success of a man is measured not by wealth but by integrity. When you don't know what the next day brings, where the next paycheck is coming from or even when you will next eat, all you have is your integrity. To keep that and also look out for your fellow man is worth celebrating. There is a lot to learn from Woody Guthrie, both musically, morally and politically. The film is a fitting tribute to an inspiring man.