Howl

Author

Robert P Epstein

Call Number

• DVD DRAMA (CEN)

Edition

Widescreen version.

Languages

In English, with optional subtitles in English or French.

Performers

James Franco, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, Bob Balaban, Alessandro Nivola, Treat Williams, Mary Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels.

Publication Information

[United States] : Oscilloscope Laboratories, [2011]

Physical Description

1 videodisc (84 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.

Audience

MPAA rating: R; for strong sexual content including language and images, and some drug material.

Summary

Allen Ginsberg recounts the road trips, love affairs, and search for personal liberation that led to the most timeless, electrifying and controversial work of his career, Howl. Pushing the limits and challenging the mainstream, the passionate and provocative poem Howl and its publisher find themselves on trial for obscenity, with prosecutor Ralph McIntosh setting out to have the book banned, while defense attorney Jake Ehrlich fervently argues for freedom of speech and creative expression.

Notes

Based in part on "Howl and other poems" by Allen Ginsberg.

Originally released as a motion picture in 2010.

Special features: audio commentary with James Franco and directors Epstein and Friedman ; Holy! Holy! Holy! The making of Howl featurette ; director's research tapes ; footage of Allen Ginsberg reading Howl ; James Franco reads Howl audio feature.