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American Masters
S12.E1
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IMDbPro

The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg

  • Episode aired Sep 17, 1997
  • TV-14
  • 1h 22m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
287
YOUR RATING
The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg (1994)
BiographyDocumentaryHistoryMusic

The life and work of Allen Ginsberg, the greatest of the Beat Generation poets is put in focus in this filmThe life and work of Allen Ginsberg, the greatest of the Beat Generation poets is put in focus in this filmThe life and work of Allen Ginsberg, the greatest of the Beat Generation poets is put in focus in this film

  • Director
    • Jerry Aronson
  • Stars
    • Joan Baez
    • William F. Buckley
    • William S. Burroughs
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    287
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jerry Aronson
    • Stars
      • Joan Baez
      • William F. Buckley
      • William S. Burroughs
    • 1User review
    • 29Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Photos6

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    Top cast9

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    Joan Baez
    Joan Baez
    • Self
    William F. Buckley
    William F. Buckley
    • Self
    William S. Burroughs
    William S. Burroughs
    • Self
    Allen Ginsberg
    Allen Ginsberg
    • Self
    Abbie Hoffman
    Abbie Hoffman
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Jack Kerouac
    Jack Kerouac
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Ken Kesey
    Ken Kesey
    • Self
    Timothy Leary
    Timothy Leary
    • Self
    Norman Mailer
    Norman Mailer
    • Self
    • Director
      • Jerry Aronson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    7.2287
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    7lastliberal

    ...he will wear his hair long until everyone else does, then he will cut it short.

    One of America's greatest poets, and a leader of the Beat Generation; this is the story of Allen Ginsberg, and his close friendships with William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac.

    We see his search for love, and his coming out as gay, with support from those around him, who were mainly hetero, but supportive.

    Ginsberg challenged the conformity of the 50s, which allowed the protests of the 60s to develop. He and his group joined with Timothy Leary and transformed him.

    Ginsberg's role in the infamous protests at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago shows him as brave face of calm in a violent time.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Alternate versions
      In 1997 an abbreviated (55 min.) version was produced by WNET for PBS.
    • Soundtracks
      Letter to Allen
      Written and Performed by Patti Smith

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • September 17, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Production company
      • American Masters
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 22 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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