Stephen has picked some crackers in the past, and this time, he's chosen the iconic 1991 biopic The Doors.
The production of The Doors (1991), directed by Oliver Stone, was a passionate and meticulous effort to capture the wild spirit of Jim Morrison and the iconic 1960s rock band. Stone, known for his intense filmmaking style, had long been fascinated by Morrison and sought to tell a story that reflected both the mysticism and chaos surrounding the band's rise to fame. Val Kilmer was cast as Jim Morrison, with his intense commitment to the role standing out—Kilmer spent months studying Morrison's mannerisms, voice, and even his singing style. The film incorporated many real-life locations from the band’s history, including Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip, and used these settings to evoke the authentic feel of the late '60s counterculture.
Stone's production team faced the challenge of balancing a factual representation of the band's history with a more stylized, mythical portrayal of Morrison's journey. With the help of surviving band members like Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger, the production sought to ensure the film remained true to the music and the spirit of The Doors. However, some of Morrison’s portrayal as a self-destructive, hedonistic figure led to disputes over historical accuracy, with band members and critics arguing that Stone leaned too heavily on the mythic aspects of Morrison’s persona. Despite these debates, the film was praised for its dynamic cinematography, a powerful performance by Kilmer, and a soundtrack that introduced The Doors’ music to a new generation.
If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, so become a supporter. www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback
Plot Summary:
The movie follows the rise and fall of Jim Morrison and his legendary rock band, The Doors. The film chronicles Morrison's journey from a college student in Los Angeles to a countercultural icon, exploring his deep connection to music, poetry, and the darker aspects of his psyche. As the band gains fame, Morrison’s increasing substance abuse and erratic behavior lead to tensions with his bandmates and those closest to him.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com