Timothée Chalamet has been gaining widespread acclaim for his performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, which will surely lead to many people discovering the enigmatic folk singer for the very first time. While Dylan has always been an inscrutable enigma wrapped up in a mystery, plenty of feature films, documentaries, and unusual releases give insight into his life as an artist and pop culture icon. Some Dylan films lay the groundwork to understand his status as the voice of his generation during the 1960s, while others will provide context for the challenges of his later career.
- Fish 2025 Farewell Road To The Isles UK Tour, How to Get Presale Code Tickets?
- Who are Luca Vitali Parents? Meet Maurizio Vitali
- Who is Rickie Fowler’s Wife? Know Everything About Rickie Fowler
- Ezekiel Elliott Religion What Religion is Ezekiel Elliott? Is Ezekiel Elliott a Christian?
- Who is Dylan Carlson Wife? Know Everything About Dylan Carlson
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
As a filmmaker in his own right, Dylan has been involved in many films that play with or recontextualize his legacy as an elder statesman of rock ‘n’ roll. Dylan has been the subject of incredible music biopics that experiment with the genre itself as well as mockumentaries where he outright lies about the background of some aspects of his career. With films by movie legends like Martin Scorsese or Todd Haynes, there’s a fascinating world to explore when it comes to Dylan and cinema.
10 No Direction Home (2005)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
No Direction Home: Bob Dylan Not RatedDocumentaryMusic
No Direction Home: Bob Dylan is a documentary film by Martin Scorsese that chronicles Bob Dylan’s career trajectory from 1961 to 1966. The film explores Dylan’s transformation from a folk singer to a protest singer, a cultural icon, and ultimately a rock star.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date July 21, 2005 Runtime 208 minutes Cast Allen Ginsberg , Bob Dylan , Joan Baez , Johnny Cash , Pete Seeger , Mavis Staples , Dave Van Ronk , D. A. Pennebaker , John F. Kennedy , Martin Luther King Jr. , Martin Scorsese Character(s) Self , Self (archive footage) , Self (voice) (uncredited) Director Martin Scorsese YouTube Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOUtzHizr9A Expand
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
For viewers who are excited to see Timothée Chalamet in A Complete Unknown but don’t feel like they have the cultural context for Bob Dylan during the 1960s, then the best place to start would be with Martin Scorsese’s No Direction Home documentary. As a chronicle of Dylan’s career through the 1960s and up to his reported motorcycle accident in 1966, No Direction Home puts Dylan’s unmatched place in 20th-century American popular music into perspective in a way that’s digestible to a newcomer. This documentary covers the same period as A Complete Unknown and addresses all the essential historical details.
Much like
A Complete Unknown
, the title
No Direction Home
comes from the lyrics of Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone,” where he sings: “
How does it feel? To be on your own, with no direction home, a complete unknown, like a rolling stone
.”
No Direction Home aired as part of the American Masters series on PBS and continues Scorsese’s longstanding association with Dylan, which can be traced to his concert film The Last Waltz featuring Dylan and his former backup group, The Band. Scorsese clearly has a great love for Dylan’s work and legacy, and No Direction Home painted a vivid portrait of the artist while still maintaining his mysterious appeal. If audiences want to know why Dylan was perceived to be the voice of his generation, No Direction Home answers this question.
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
9 Eat The Document (1972)
Directed by Bob Dylan
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Eat the Document NRDocumentaryMusic
Eat the Document is a documentary capturing Bob Dylan’s 1966 UK tour with the Hawks, directed by Dylan and filmed by D. A. Pennebaker. Initially intended for ABC’s Stage ’66, its editing was delayed by Dylan’s motorcycle accident, and later rejected by ABC for being considered unsuitable for mainstream audiences.
Release Date November 30, 1972 Runtime 52 minutes Cast Bob Dylan , John Lennon , Robbie Robertson , Richard Manuel , Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Johnny Cash , Albert Grossman , Bob Neuwirth , Mickey Jones Character(s) Self Director Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan always exerted extreme control over his image and how he’s been presented in the media. This was certainly the case for the unreleased documentary Eat the Document, which was shot under Dylan’s direction by the Don’t Look Back filmmaker D. A. Pennebaker and which cataloged his 1966 European tour with the Hawks. The release of Eat the Document was delayed after Dylan’s motorcycle accident, and although the singer later edited the movie himself, ABC rejected it (via The New York Times) and said it was incomprehensible for a mainstream audience.
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
Related 10 Most Exciting Things About Timothée Chalamet’s Upcoming Bob Dylan Biopic
With Timothée Chalamet as the folk legend, there’s a lot to be excited about regarding the upcoming Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.
Posts1
However, unauthorized bootlegged copies of Eat the Document are in circulation, and it gives a fascinating insight into Dylan’s hectic life in 1966, which was characterized by consistent touring, non-stop songwriting, and heavy drug and alcohol use. Eat the Document includes a fascinating encounter between an inebriated Dylan and John Lennon in the back of a limousine where the Beatles singer encourages him to “pull yourself together.” With Dylan clearly on the verge of a major burnout, Eat the Document showcases the dark reality of Dylan’s rapid rise to fame that’s depicted in A Complete Unknown.
8 Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid (1973)
Directed by Sam Peckinpah
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid RWestern
Pat Garrett, a sheriff determined to bring order to the West, is pitted against his former friend, the infamous Billy the Kid. As Garrett hunts him, they both grapple with memories of their past camaraderie and the choices that have set them on opposing paths.
Release Date May 23, 1973 Runtime 122 Minutes Cast James Coburn , Kris Kristofferson , bob dylan , Jason Robards , Katy Jurado , Chill Wills Director Sam Peckinpah Writers Rudy Wurlitzer Budget $4.64 Million Studio(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributor(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Expand
✕ Remove Ads
Bob Dylan represents something essential about the nature of Americana, so it made sense that he’d make his dramatic acting debut in Sam Peckinpah’s WesternPat Garrett and Billy the Kid. With two musical icons in the mix, Kris Kristofferson as Billy the Kid and Dylan as the mysterious Alias, these two performers stole much of the limelight from James Coburn as Pat Garrett. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid was a glimpse into the lawlessness of the Wild West, which Dylan had already explored in music, like his fictionalized take on the real-life outlaw John Wesley Hardin.
Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid featured one of Dylan’s best acting performances, but it was also notable for his soundtrack album, which included “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” one of his most covered songs. This cult classic Western movie featured an older Dylan than the one Timothée Chalamet portrays in A Complete Unknown. However, as such an enigmatic figure whose life story could carry several feature films, if James Mangold wished to make a sequel, then Dylan’s first attempt at becoming a Hollywood star would be an interesting premise.
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
7 Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story By Martin Scorsese (2019)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese DocumentaryMusic
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese is a blend of documentary and concert film exploring Bob Dylan’s 1975 tour across America. Capturing the era’s cultural and political climate, the film provides insights into Dylan’s performances and the spirit of the times.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date June 11, 2019 Runtime 142 minutes Cast Allen Ginsberg , Bob Dylan , Patti Smith , Martin von Haselberg , Scarlet Rivera , Joan Baez , Roger McGuinn , Larry Sloman , James Gianopulos , Jack Elliott , Sam Shepard , David Mansfield , Sharon Stone , Ronnie Hawkins , Anne Waldman , Ronee Blakley , Joni Mitchell , Rolling Thunder , Mad Bear , Peter La Farge , Michael Murphy , Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter , Jacques Levy , Denise Mercedes , Roberta Flack Character(s) The Oracle of Delphi , Self , The Punk Poet , The Filmmaker , The Queen of Swords , The Balladeer , The Minstrel , The Rolling Stone Reporter , The Promoter , The Sailor , The Writer , The Innocent , The Beauty Queen , The Shitkicker , The Word Worker , The Ingenue , The Artist , The Medicine Man , The Chief , The Cowboy Indian , The Politician , The Boxer Director Martin Scorsese YouTube Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS4gsWDSn68 Expand
Martin Scorsese already made one of the best documentaries about Bob Dylan in the 1960s with No Direction Home, so fans were excited when he released his take on Dylan’s 1975 tour in 2019. However, much like Dylan himself, nothing about the Rolling Thunder Revue was straightforward, as this documentary blended fact and fiction to tell a story where nothing was certain. With much of the visuals compiled of outtakes from Dylan’s 1978 film Renaldo and Clara, Rolling Thunder Revue featured new interviews with Dylan and others associated with the tour.
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
While all this sounds straightforward enough, the lines between fact and fiction began to blur as Rolling Thunder Revue introduced characters like the fictional filmmaker Stefan Van Dorp or Sharon Stone, falsely claiming she joined the tour at the age of 19 despite never crossing paths with Dylan during the 1970s. Rolling Thunder Revue was a truly strange mockumentary that showcases Dylan has not lost any of his unique sense of humor in the decades since the events of A Complete Unknown took place.
6 Renaldo And Clara (1978)
Directed by Bob Dylan
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Renaldo and Clara RDramaMusic
Renaldo and Clara is a film by Bob Dylan released in 1978, documenting the 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue tour. It features concert footage, documentary interviews, and fictional vignettes with appearances by artists like Ronee Blakley, Joni Mitchell, and Sam Shepard, exploring themes from Dylan’s songs and life.
Release Date January 25, 1978 Runtime 235 minutes Cast Bob Dylan , Sara Dylan , Joan Baez , Ronnie Hawkins , Ronee Blakley , Jack Elliott , Harry Dean Stanton , Bob Neuwirth , Helena Kallianiotes , Mel Howard , Allen Ginsberg , David Mansfield , Jack Baran , David Blue , Roger McGuinn , Rob Stoner , Ruth Tyrangel , J. Steven Soles , Mick Ronson , Anne Waldman , Denise Mercedes , Linda Thomases , T Bone Burnett , Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter , Larry Sloman Character(s) Renaldo , Clara , The Woman in White , Bob Dylan , Mrs. Dylan , Longheno de Castro , Lafkezio , The Masked Tortilla , Helena , Ungatz , The Father , The Son , The Truckdriver , David , Roger , The Musician , The girlfriend , Ramon , Security , Sister of Mercy , The Inner Voice , Self , Newspaper Man Writers Bob Dylan YouTube Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5VVqzkHmbo Expand
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
Bob Dylan spent the fall of 1975 on his outrageous stage tour, the Rolling Thunder Revue, which featured a traveling assortment of musicians, including Joan Baez, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Patti Smith, Joni Mitchell, and many more. During this time, Dylan also opted to direct his own feature film, which he co-wrote with the acclaimed playwright Sam Shepard. The result of this endeavor was the sprawling avant-garde work Renaldo and Clara, an inscrutable mix of concert footage, documentary interviews, and dramatic fictional vignettes that clocked in at a whopping 232 minutes.
Renaldo and Clara was intended to reflect Dylan’s life and lyrics and was as incomprehensible as some of his most surreal songs. The film was released in its original four hour cut in 1978 to an overwhelmingly negative response from audiences and critics. While the full version of Renaldo and Clara is hard to track down today and has mostly been withdrawn from circulation, those who wish to seek it out will see a fascinating document of Dylan in the midst of a highly creative period, as well as the breakdown of his marriage to his then-wife Sara Lownds.
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
5 Hearts Of Fire (1987)
Directed by Richard Marquand
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Hearts of Fire RRomanceDramaMusic
Hearts of Fire, released in 1987, follows a reclusive former rock star who mentors a young female protege. As they tour, she encounters a younger, more popular musician, prompting a shift in her loyalties.
Release Date November 6, 1987 Runtime 95 minutes Cast Bob Dylan , Fiona , Rupert Everett , Julian Glover , Suzanne Bertish , Susannah Hoffmann , Larry Lamb , Maury Chaykin , Lesleh Donaldson , Jeremy Ratchford , Mark Rylance , Ian Dury , Richie Havens , Zoë Nathenson , Tom Tran , Timmy Cappello , Ronnie Wood Character(s) Billy Parker , Molly McGuire , James Colt , Alfred , Anne Ashton , Blind Woman , Jack Rosner , Charlie Kelso , Penny , Jimbo , Fizz , Bones , Pepper Ward , Fan at Funfair , Uncredited , Nico , Self Director Richard Marquand Writers Joe Eszterhas Expand
The late 1970s and early 1980s saw Bob Dylan alienate many of his fans as he released a string of Jesus-loving Christian albums in a period often described as his gospel era. Dylan’s born-again period signaled the beginning of a downturn in his career as his usually distinctive style was bogged down in 1980s production, and by 1987, he felt like a relic from the past. All these downward turns influenced Dylan’s decision to star in Hearts of Fire, a music drama where he played a washed-up rock star whose teenage lover leaves him for synth-pop sensation.
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
While Hearts of Fire may sound like an intriguing retooled version of A Star is Born featuring Dylan, it perfectly encapsulates everything wrong with the once-celebrated voice of his generation. While A Complete Unknown showcased Dylan’s meteoric rise to the top, Hearts of Fire featured him at the lowest point in his career. However, this much-maligned film was worth checking out just to hear Dylan utter the ironic line: “I guess I was never one of those rock and roll singers who was going to win any Nobel Prize.”
4 Masked And Anonymous (2003)
Directed by Larry Charles
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
By the time Masked and Anonymous was released, the dark days of the 1980s were long over, and Bob Dylan had earned his place as an elderly statesman of rock. Following the success of Oh Mercy, Time Out of Mind, and Love and Theft, Dylan cemented his reputation as one of the few living icons of the 1960s who remained creatively relevant into the 21st century. This was why it was so exciting when he returned to feature films with a starring role in Masked and Anonymous, which he co-wrote with Seinfeld and future Borat director Larry Charles.
See more : Who are Samia Longchambon Parents? Meet Joseph Ghadie and Patsy Ghadie
Dylan played Jack Fate in Masked and Anonymous, a film whose strange and cryptic style felt like it was straight out of a Bob Dylan song. With a star-studded cast including Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Penélope Cruz, and Jessica Lange, there was no shortage of major names who wanted to appear alongside Dylan in a film. While Masked and Anonymous was badly received upon release, like many of the singer’s projects, its reputation has only grown with time, and looking back, it’s a fascinating insight into how Dylan views his own legacy in the modern age.
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
3 Shadow Kingdom (2021)
Directed by Alma Har’el
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Bob Dylan: Shadow Kingdom Music
Bob Dylan: Shadow Kingdom captures the legendary musician performing in an intimate setting, reimagining a selection of songs from his expansive repertoire. Released on July 18, 2021, the film offers fans a glimpse into Dylan’s creative process and musical legacy.
Release Date July 18, 2021 Runtime 51 minutes Cast Bob Dylan , Alexander Burke , Janie Cowan , Joshua Crumbly , Shahzad Ismaily , Buck Meek Character(s) Self Director Alma Har’el YouTube Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWWpMb5ORg8&ab_channel=BobDylanVEVO Expand
Throughout the 21st century, Bob Dylan has pulled away from the public eye and instead focused primarily on touring, only doing around one major interview for each new album he releases. With a strict ban on video recording at most live shows, it’s difficult to even catch a glimpse of Dylan in recent years, which made the release of the concert film Shadow Kingdom so interesting. This unusual live showcase was shot on a soundstage during the Covid-19 pandemic and featured Dylan singing renditions of his early career songs in an intimate club-like setting.
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
For viewers who are only learning about Dylan’s importance from the press tour of A Complete Unknown, watching Shadow Kingdom is a great way to get insight into his modern style and sound. While Dylan sang many of his best-known songs in Shadow Kingdom, his renditions are totally different from the studio recordings and represent an older artist reimagining his songs continually. Dylan’s late-career live output can be quite alienating because he has changed so much since the 1960s, and Shadow Kingdom helps bridge the gap between his early and late career.
2 I’m Not There (2007)
Directed by Todd Haynes
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
5/10 I’m Not There RBiographyDrama
An innovative biographical film that reimagines the life of Bob Dylan through six distinct characters, each symbolizing a different phase of his career and personality. Portrayed by a diverse cast including Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, and Heath Ledger, these characters navigate through the various transformations of Dylan’s life—from his early days as a folk singer to his electric phase and beyond.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date October 1, 2007 Runtime 135 minutes Main Genre Biography Cast Cate Blanchett , Ben Whishaw , Christian Bale , Richard Gere , Marcus Carl Franklin , Heath Ledger Director Todd Haynes Writers Todd Haynes , Oren Moverman Expand
✕ Remove Ads
The life of Bob Dylan has so many different facets that the only way to make a movie about him would be to focus on one era, like in A Complete Unknown, or to completely reimagine the structure of a typical music biopic. This was exactly what Todd Haynes opted to do with his extraordinary film I’m Not There, which cast six actors depicting different facets of Dylan’s public personas. This included the extraordinary decision to have Cate Blanchett play the 1960s, strung-out, sunglass-wearing version of Dylan as he’s accused of selling out for going electric.
I’m Not There featured several major stars, with Christian Bale playing the born-again Bob of the 1960s and Richard Gere portraying the Western version of him from Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. All these reimaginings of Dylan had different names and were meant to reflect the essence of the singer’s life and legacy rather than a true historical account. For those looking for a more experimental take on Dylan’s story than what’s seen in A Complete Unknown, I’m Not There is the perfect alternative.
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
1 Don’t Look Back (1967)
Directed by D. A. Pennebaker
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Don’t Look Back DocumentaryMusic
Don’t Look Back is a 1967 documentary film directed by D. A. Pennebaker. It chronicles Bob Dylan’s 1965 concert tour in England, providing an unfiltered look into the life of the artist. The film captures candid moments with Dylan, as well as interactions with fans, journalists, and fellow musicians, offering a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on the iconic singer-songwriter during a pivotal moment in his career.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Release Date May 17, 1967 Runtime 96 Minutes Main Genre Documentary Cast bob dylan , Albert Grossman , Bob Neuwirth , Joan Baez , Alan Price , Tito Burns , Donovan , Derroll Adams , Horace Freeland Judson Director D. A. Pennebaker Writers D. A. Pennebaker Studio(s) Leacock-Pennebaker , Inc. Distributor(s) Leacock-Pennebaker , Inc. Expand
For viewers wishing to gain insight into the era of Bob Dylan’s life depicted in A Complete Unknown, then Don’t Look Back is essential. This documentary of Dylan’s 1965 tour in England is a time capsule into an extraordinary moment of the 1960s, as this folk singer’s fame was exploding and the world witnessed the dawning of one of the most essential figures rock ‘n’ roll music has ever seen. As an account of Dylan on the precipice of going electric, Don’t Look Back showcases how he plays with the media and carves out his calculated persona.
✕ Remove Ads
You are watching: 10 Bob Dylan Movies To Watch Before A Complete Unknown
Don’t Look Back was as much an acting role for Dylan as any feature film he appeared in and was an impressive document of art meeting fame as the press struggled to make sense of his enigmatic presence. From his interactions with the likes of Joan Baez and Donovan, Don’t Look Back gives viewers a glimpse into Dylan’s creative process as everyone around him was left dumbfounded by his seemingly endless talent. Don’t Look Back is the greatest record music lovers have of Dylan during the 1960s and is one of the best music documentaries ever made.
Sources: The New York Times
Source: https://truongnguyenbinhkhiem.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment