Jimi Plays Monterey

The documentary by D. A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus presents Jimi Hendrix's set at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival in full. The footage was assembled from outtakes of Pennebaker's Monterey Pop and released as a separate film in 1986. Hendrix was almost unknown in America that day; he came on stage with a reputation built in England and reversed that in forty minutes. The set closes with him burning his guitar at the end of Wild Thing, an image that became one of the most repeated moments in rock history. The film is short, close to fifty minutes, with no commentary, only the concert. The sound holds up well for its conditions. Who it's for: viewers who love sixties rock history and concert films. Who it's not for: anyone wanting a portrait of Hendrix's life, or context and narration.