- Les Blank's first feature-length documentary captures music and other events at Leon Russell's Oklahoma recording studio during a three-year period (1972-1974).
- This film was not officially released in 1974 and shown only at non-profit institutions with Les Blank appearing in person. After Les Blank's death in 2013, Les'son Harrod Blank and Leon Russell came to an agreement to remaster and release the film. Janus Films and Criterion are currently distributing the film in North America.—excentrix@aol.com
- A poem, like a naked person, comes forth without alibis or excuses. It is a high-wire walk without a safety net, and it renounces all special privileges-it must earn its claim on us. This free form documentary captures moments around Leon Russel from 1942-1974 from his home in Oklahoma, around his recording studio, at concerts and with musicians with which he collaborated. Near the Pappy Reeves Floating Motel Cabins on Grand Lake in Oklahoma, Leon Russell is building his new recording studio. An elderly couple from the area tell a story of Leon losing his hat in the wind. They also did not like Leon's long hair when they first saw it, the lady fell in love with it and enjoyed seeing her husband grow his hair longer as well. The DeJans Olympia Brass Band escorts Leon's limousine to a concert. There, Leon sings "Jambalaya (on the Bayou)" from the Hank Williams catalog. On another day, George Jones visits Leon in a recording session making it difficult for Leon to continue singing. George Jones sings "Take Me" while playing an acoustic guitar. Jim Franklin paints a mural on the bottom of a swimming pool. Leon, back in concert, performs "Shootout at the Plantation" for his adoring fans. Locals fish nearby. A huge catfish is caught that may be pregnant. Young black woman who is one of Leon's backup singers is repulsed at the sight. "Proud Mary" is performed by Leon and his band. Willie Nelson performs "Good Hearted Woman" at the one and only Floore Country Store. The Spooksville Museum proprietor in Quapaw discusses the mysterious orbs of light that may be of Indian origin. "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is played to the setting sun. Bill Mullins discusses his disillusionment and inability to know who one can trust. A crowd gathers near the Bliss Hotel for its demolition in Tulsa. A local couple describes how they saw the building being built and attend these blasts regularly. The security personnel meet before a Leon Russell concert in Anaheim. Leon Russel performs "I'll take you there." After the concert. Leon greets fans and signs autographs. A boa constrictor consumes a baby chicken. It is meant to serve as an object lesson of how people should consume by savoring their consumption and make each purchase last. Further, the animal must eat to survive, Survival is the acknowledgment you know you are going to die. On one occasion, Leon is playing at a wedding in a large mansion, Miss Malissa Bates sings "Joy to the World, Jeremiah was a Bullfrog" song. On one occasion, George Jones asks Leon is he would be singing if it were not for the money. Leon philosophizes that making money allows his plane of life to be more expansive. Ted Mayfield tells a story of a reluctant parachute jumper while the 11th Annual World Parachute Championship is held. Then he slams a beer and attempts to bite the glass but fail. Later he repeats the toast and does chew the glass. The roadies of the band are filmed expressing their unflinching will to reach the top. A discussion with some studio musicians who work with Leon, complement him saying what a great guy he is to work with. "Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms" is performed by Leon with local Oklahoma musicians. After the song, a sign painter whose work is on display at The Old Time Picking Parlor. David Briggs and Pete Drake joke around with Leon. They play a bit of "Lady Madonna" together on the piano. "Hello Little Friend" is featured at an outdoor concert. The festival includes a high school band and the release of geese. Eric Andersen enters Leon's recording studio and wants Leon to play a cut on an organ. He presses Leon to play and complains about his introduction and the film crews' unwellness to let him into the room. They laugh when Eric tries to estimate of Leon's age. Eric Andersen sings "Time Run Like a Freight Train." Leon does the song "For You" in a jam-packed concert hall. Percussionist Ambrose Campbell says, Russell's popularity will one day fall, and someone else's will rise. In that light, other musician are featured "Yes I Am" is performed by Leon. Lead by Reverend Rayford Ingehart, "He got the power" rings through his church. Then Reverend Patrick Henderson glorifies with "A Great Day". Sweet Mary Egan fiddles the "Orange Blossom Special." Charlie McCoy plays harmonica and sings with Leon on "Good Night Irene", Leon philosophizes about insecurity as caused by fear which is created by death. The mind not able to comprehend the unknown yet it drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Leon and his band perform a version of "Amazing Grace" and "Of Thee I Sing." "Naked at the Lake" is played and sung by Willis Alan Ramsey. "Satisfied Mind" is sung by Leon Russell believing that is the state in which he will end his life.
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By what name was A Poem Is a Naked Person (1974) officially released in India in English?
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