Bound For Glory (DVD 2003)

I bought this DVD having read Woody Guthrie's book having the same title. The book is semi autobiographical fiction and is a fascinating insight into the impact of the depression on America's poor. Compare it with British working class classics such as The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Love on the Dole, The Citadel or Up the Junction. In the book Woody also alludes to his liberal leanings. We never really get an explanation for his habit of disappearing for months on end on his "hard travelling" sorties, however, and so he remains an enigma. Now that he belongs to US folklore I doubt that we shall ever get at the "truth" of the man. There are so many facets to the book that the film was on a hiding to nothing. However, it does make a determined effort to catch the spirit of the book by showing Woody's homespun sense, his principles and his unwillingness to sell them out for fame. The film ultimately fails for the same reason that most books cannot be captured on film. The format is rigid and time is limited. Cinema goers can only absorb so many sub plots in 2 hours. That having said, it is not as good as the film adaptation of "Of mice and men" or the "Grapes of Wrath" but anyone who knows of Woody, has heard his music, knows the influence he had ought to see it. Then get the book.