Freebird... The Movie (1996)

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Director:

Jeff G. Waxman

Writer:

Sanford Santacroce (written by)

Release Date:

30 August 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Tagline:

"If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?"

Plot:

See classic live performances, interviews and vintage footage of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd band. |

Cast

Allen Collins
Steve Gaines	...	Himself (archive footage)
Billy Powell	...	Himself
Artimus Pyle
Gary Rossington
Ronnie Van Zant
Leon Wilkeson
JoJo Billingsley	...	Herself
Cassie Gaines	...	Herself (archive footage)
Leslie Hawkins	...	Herself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Teresa Gaines
Judy Van Zant Jenness

Directed by
Jeff G. Waxman

Writing credits
Sanford Santacroce		(written by)

Produced by
Tony Grazia	....	associate producer
Edward 'Egg' Molito	....	associate producer
Tom A. Molito	....	executive producer (as Tom Molito)
Sanford Santacroce	....	associate producer
Judy Van Zant Jenness	....	executive producer
Jeff G. Waxman	....	producer

Cinematography by
Brian J. Vazquez

Film Editing by
Dave de la Parra

Production Management
John Brescia	....	production manager

Sound Department
Kurt Kassulke	....	sound re-recording mixer
Paul Ratajczak	....	sound re-recording mixer
Paul Ratajczak	....	sound supervisor
Brian Slack	....	stereo sound consultant: dts
Kerri Wilson	....	audio post coordinator

Other crew
Wendy Guite	....	production coordinator

Production Companies

• Cabin Fever Entertainment

Distributors

• Astra Cinema
• Future Film (2006) (Finland) (DVD)

MPAA:

Rated PG for brief drug references.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-3 (2006) | USA:PG

Company:

Cabin Fever Entertainment

Fine performances, what there are of them...

I remember the days of 1976 (although I was only 13 at the time) and the BBC used to have a people's choice on New Year's Eve, the footage of Lynyrd Skynyrd performing "Freebird" at Knebworth won every year it was one of the choices. Unfortunately, this movie does not include this triumphant, jubilant performance and it is instead replaced by, in comparison, a pedestrian version from an altogether different source. Colour me disappointed.

While the music of Skynyrd is well represented, and for this alone I rate this at 7, the failure to include one of their greatest moments on stage ~ especially when the footage was available (clips of it are shown during the end credits while another song entirely provides the backing) ~ is an atrocious error in judgement.

Enjoy what is there, but remember it could have been so much better.