My Generation

source: My Generation

For anyone who lived through this era or anyone interested in knowing who the movers and shakers were that steered England through the cultural revolution of the Sixties, this is a must see. Presenter Sir Michael Caine is brilliant at the helm, and it shows how the world changed from the post war Fifties to the Swinging Sixties with interviews with the influencers of the decade.

The cultural revolution of the sixties is explored by key figures from the time, interviewed, but not seen, by this documentary's host, Michael Caine. Wonderfully fun documentary that explains the need the country had to move on after the war / the fifties and the youth that lead that vital shift, intersperced with great footage and with Caine just the right host, this really helps capture what was going on and why in the end drugs rather sent it off the rails.

Although London undoubtly was its vulcanic center, the Sixties young generation-culture spread wider. To San Francisco, USA, for instance. And what about Italian Michelangelo Antonioni's world-famous 1966-film 'Blow Up'? Even France had in Francoise Hardy a Sixties-singer of international status. Given this narrow-minded limitation, 'My Generation' makes a true master-documentary. Set up by a veteran-actor who surely knows what it's all about. Historical correctness, to start with. A fine selection of Sixties-celebreties, both filmed and interviewed. A nice choice of Sixties-popsongs. And, most of all, a dazzling visual spectacle that betrays Caine's lifelong experience in filming.

It's always a treat to see Michael Caine being interviewed; he has so many stories and they're all funny. But for a comprehensive statement about what Britain in the 60's was all about, we need more. The painters who refashioned the visual arts are barely mentioned: David Hockney, Richard Hamilton (whose Just What is it that Makes Today's Homes...? blasted its way into my teenaged mind), R. B. Kitaj and more all deserve more coverage. Instead we get lots of footage of David Bailey, Brian Duffy and other photogs--frankly it just isn't that interesting. If there was a novel or book of poems published during this decade we never hear of it. The political turmoil of the time isn't mentioned. Tariq Ali, Caroline Coon and Michael X don't get name-checked; you'd never know that Godard made One plus one/Sympathy for the Devil with the Stones and all the London activists he could find. But you can ignore these criticisms and just sit back and enjoy a well-constructed time capsule.

I thought this was going to be an interview with Michael Caine and some clips; it turned out to be a superb documentary on the social revolution I happened to experience. It is the best history of the Swinging Sixties I can imagine. From the social revolution of that time - which is what it was - I found my own history and development. I worked with Duffy, Donovan, Alan Aldridge. Okay, I was on the periphery of so much depicted here, but I was also a classic illustration of it; a working class lad who went to Art School, became an Advertising man, a successful DADA Silver Award winning Art Director, a prize winning illustrator, copywriter, author and painter. Caine was his brilliant self, not showing off, just telling it straight. This has to come out on dvd. And when it does I shall buy it.

Watched this last night and it took me back to a time in my life that i loved. being born in 1964 some of this was before my time and some was after but i could relate to it all as stories around my Home in the early days with the older members of the family were on this subject. Everything from fashion, music, transport, fads and life in general is covered in this. Michael Caine is a Legend and so him fronting it was just peachy. In simple terms it took me back and threw me into an era before the internet, mobile phones and social media. at the end of the film i was left sat there not knowing where i was and what to do, my Partner even asked me 'are you ok?' i thought i was but i guess it opened my mind with all my personal memories, it was a time warp. a must see to get you all nostalgic.

A really nice celebratory documentary looking at Swinging Sixties' London and all of the cool new-fangled celebrity that went with it. Michael Caine is a great choice of narrator, his amiable persona rubbing off on the viewer instantly, and the plethora of famous characters lending their voice to the production is quite impressive. The screen is filled with relevant clips from the era, and the tableau is an involved one, bringing in music, film, showbiz, politics and even a little war. As someone who finds the almost liminal quality of the decade truly fascinating, this is riveting stuff.

I really enjoyed this. I'm not Michael Caine's greatest fan but he does well here and where the voice of him today relates an instance in the past that we see in an old clip and another in the same clip also speaks from today the effect can be electrifying. Some have spoken of the simplicity and cheapness of putting something like this together and I couldn't disagree more. This is so seamless, even when clearly the clips are from different sources, that there is an excitement in simply watching this come together before us. The script by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, which might seem unnecessary is quite the opposite because the visuals have to constantly be given the right context. Not sure this would be quite so thrilling for anyone born in later years, but I loved it and was incredibly impressed by hitherto unseen clips.

A very easy-to-watch reminisce of swinging 60s London, with old mate Michael Caine. For those like me, who always wished we experienced the 60s, this is as close as we'll ever get. There's a lot to like here: Michael Caine, the 1960s, Britain, Beatles, The Who, The Stones, attractive models. It captures the feel and atmosphere of the 1960s well, albeit while being a bit all over the place. But weren't the 60s like that anyway? It's also a documentary about youth. Something to put on whenever you feel like you're turning into a grumpy old nag. "My Generation" has a killer soundtrack and interesting footage - is like having a time machine back to the 60s, featuring the ingredients that brought about change. It was fascinating to hear how Michael came up with his "Michael Caine" name, as well as the challenges he faced due to his cockney accent (forced to get rid of it for his first role!). At times it felt like there was too much emphasis on 60s fashion, modeling and photography - though if you're into that, this is the film for you. Fairly sure I fell in love with every 1960s girl during in this. The fast montages towards the end made me feel like John Lennon had slipped some LSD into my cup of tea - which I guess was the point while covering drug use of 1960s culture. It wraps up with Michael Caine giving us a mini-inspirational pep talk: "Never ever look back in anger, always look forward in hope - and never dream small" I want to go binge Michael Caine's filmography now!