American Masters: Season 14, Episode 7

The Source: The Story of the Beats and the Beat Generation (31 May 2000)

TV Episode  -   -  Documentary | Biography | History
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 556 users   Metascore: 66/100
Reviews: 11 user | 18 critic | 9 from Metacritic.com

Traces the Beats from Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac's meeting in 1944 at Columbia University to the deaths of Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs in 1997. Three actors provide dramatic ... See full summary »

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Title: The Source: The Story of the Beats and the Beat Generation (31 May 2000)

The Source: The Story of the Beats and the Beat Generation (31 May 2000) on IMDb 7.2/10

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Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
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William S. Burroughs
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...
Himself
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Himself
Robert Creeley ...
Himself
Ann Charters ...
Herself
George Steade ...
Himself
David Amram ...
Himself
...
Himself
Ed Sanders ...
Himself
Gregory Corso ...
Himself
Kyle Roderick ...
Himself - Corso biographer
Lawrence Ferlinghetti ...
Himself
...
Himself (archive footage)
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Storyline

Traces the Beats from Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac's meeting in 1944 at Columbia University to the deaths of Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs in 1997. Three actors provide dramatic interpretations of the work of these three writers, and the film chronicles their friendships, their arrival into American consciousness, their travels, frequent parodies, Kerouac's death, and Ginsberg's politicization. Their movement connects with bebop, John Cage's music, abstract expressionism, and living theater. In recent interviews, Ginsberg, Burroughs, Kesey, Ferlinghetti, Mailer, Jerry Garcia, Tom Hayden, Gary Snyder, Ed Sanders, and others measure the Beats' meaning and impact. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

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Release Date:

31 May 2000 (USA)  »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$16,821 (USA) (27 August 1999)

Gross:

$360,895 (USA) (19 May 2000)
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Trivia

Broadcast in the UK in 2001 as part of the BBC's prestigious Arena series. See more »

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Features Network (1976) See more »

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User Reviews

 
If you like them....You'll love this

The Source was the first documentary I have ever seen on the big screen beside those huge IMax films. The Source was very enjoyable film. I have always read Kerouac and Burroughs with much enthusiasm and this film helped me to fall in love with their work all over again and some more. The Beats were an aquired taste, but if you are searching for yourself (and I believe most people are) these guys can help you start. They don't show you the way but they give you a good start.

This film was very insightful into the lives of these life searching nomads. See this if you enjoy their work. Even if you never read any of their stuff, see it anyway.


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