Keeping watch on Lennon

by RICHARD JONES

IT'S now more than 27 years since John Lennon was gunned down in a New York street yet his influence remains all-pervasive.

In their 99-minute movie The U.S. vs. John Lennon, documentary filmmakers David Leaf and John Scheinfeld have concentrated on Lennon's post-Beatles period when he was an anti-Vietnam War activist and a vocal supporter for African American rights.

In response the Nixon administration seemed to rate Lennon as an enemy of America. Lennon and wife Yoko Ono didn't seem to care as they continued to live in New York.

Leaf and Scheinfeld concentrate on the ploys used by Lennon and Ono in the late 60s/early 70s to get under conservative America's skin.

Lennon's bed sit-in with Yoko was one stunt that infuriated Nixon and his supporters. Almost as abrasive was the ongoing support for anti-government movements with Lennon's memorable song Give Peace A Chance still a hit today.

A lot of Lennon's other music is played underneath the interviews with people such as unrepentant Watergate conspirator Gordon Liddy, black American activist Angela Davis and George McGovern of Born On The Fourth Of July notoriety.

28 October 2007

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