Phil Ochs: There but for Fortune

Phil Ochs: There but for Fortune
Promotional poster
Directed byKenneth Bowser[2]
Written byKenneth Bowser[2]
Produced byMichael Cohl
Kenneth Bowser
Michael Ochs[2]
Edited byPamela Scott Arnold
Music byPhil Ochs
Distributed byFirst Run Features
Release dates
  • October 1, 2010 (2010-10-01) (Woodstock)
  • January 5, 2011 (2011-01-05) (United States)
[1]
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Phil Ochs: There but for Fortune is a documentary film on the life and times of folk singer-songwriter Phil Ochs.[3] The film, released theatrically in January 2011, was written and directed by Kenneth Bowser.[2][1] Its title is taken from one of Ochs' best known songs, "There but for Fortune" (1963).[4]

The documentary features extensive archival footage of Ochs, as well as scenes reflecting the turbulent political climate of the 1960s during which he emerged as a spokesperson on causes such as racial injustice, political oppression, the horrors of war, and labor issues.[5] In addition, it includes interviews with family members and many of the artists and activists who knew him from his arrival in Greenwich Village in the early 1960s through his death in 1976. Also featured are comments from contemporary figures on Ochs' influence. The film was broadcast on January 23, 2012 on the PBS series American Masters.[6][7]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference NY Times Review was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d "Phil Ochs: There but for Fortune Press Kit" (PDF). First Run Features. 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  3. ^ Green, Jonah (January 5, 2011). "There But For Fortune: A Moving Tribute To A Complicated Singer". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  4. ^ Lovece, Frank (January 5, 2011). "Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune". Film Journal International. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  5. ^ Rooney, David (January 2, 2011). "Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune – Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  6. ^ "Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune". PBS. December 20, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  7. ^ "Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune". Season 26. Episode 1. January 23, 2012. PBS. {{cite episode}}: Missing or empty |series= (help)