Freebird: The Movie

Let me say something upfront: I own Lynyrd Skynyrd CD's, consider "Freebird" to be one of the greatest rock anthems of all time, and was as bummed as anyone else when the tragic plane crash on October 20, 1977 took the life of lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and others. Now let's talk about Freebird: The Movie, a concert/documentary which is, quite often, an utter crock. Here are some choice interview tidbits: Ronnie Van Zant was "one of the greatest human beings that ever walked the face of the Earth" (no comment), Lynyrd Skynyrd's music had philosophical depth (as I recall the major themes were drinking and fighting), the attack on Neil Young in "Sweet Home Alabama" was in fun (does rock 'n roll history need revisionism?), and "Freebird" was about freedom in America (instead of dumping a chick). It's hard to pay attention to the concert footage with all this horseradish flying around, but die-hard Skynyrd fans will definitely want to hear the live renditions of "Saturday Night Special," "Gimme Back My Bullets," "That Smell," and, of course, "Freebird." Optional. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)