Rent Bound for Glory (1976)

Dustbowl Ballads - Bound for Glory review by Steve

Prime Americana from Hal Ashby's absolute peak as director in the '70s New Wave. This is loosely based on the 1943 autobiography of Woody Guthrie, the illustrious troubadour of the Great Depression. His own memoir only marginally reflects reality; it's suspiciously similar to John Steinbeck's classic novel, The Grapes of Wrath (1939).

So it's a case of print the legend. The story runs between 1936 and '39, from Guthrie's hobo journey from Texas through the dustbowl of the midwest to the fruit orchards of California, until his arrival in New York where he wrote This Land is Your Land. This is an extraordinarily beautiful picture with near magical capture of sunlight.

Perhaps that's a weakness as the horrors of the '30s may have been represented better in grainy b&w. Still, there's a realistic look at the social and political divisions; between fascism and socialism. We hear plenty of the songs performed by David Carradine who is exceptional as the legendary songwriter, as man, musician and myth...

And also as a hero of class struggle. The locations are well chosen and the set design feels authentic. The long running time and leisurely rhythm won't be a problem for anyone with an interest in Woody's legacy. And his ideology will always reflect on where the US is in the present time. Now is always the time for another revival.