Marley (2012) DVD Review

I've been a fan of Bob Marley's music since I was in my early teens, but I knew very little about his life before watching the new documentary, Marley, directed by Kevin Macdonald, who also directed One Day In September (1999) and Touching The Void (2003) (two other films I really enjoyed).  When I heard that Bob Marley's family was on board with this documentary, I worried that as a consequence it wouldn't probe deep enough, or present a well rounded depiction. Clearly Macdonald has a tremendous amount of affection for his subject, but he also doesn't shy away from some of Bob Marley's less laudable attributes. For example, a good deal of time is spent on Bob Marley's marital infidelities (Bob had eleven children from seven different relationships). And his children, particularly Cedella, are candid about his shortcomings as a parent (Bob told Cedella she didn't need friends, that her brothers and sisters were enough). So my worries were proved unfounded. Marley is an excellent documentary.

Interviews

Marley includes footage of old interviews with Bob Marley, which is great. But what is truly impressive is the amazing number of people who were interviewed specially for this documentary. It seems the filmmaker got a hold of everyone, including his extended family and band members, as well as friends and folks in the music industry. It seems that basically whatever question might come up, the director got in touch with the person who could answer it.

Family members interviewed include Bob Marley's mother (one of the only interviews the filmmaker didn't conduct himself), his aunt Amy, his cousin, his wife Rita Marley (who of course also sang with him), David "Ziggy" Marley (Bob's son), Constance Marley (Bob's half-sister), Peter Marley (Bob's second cousin), and Cedella Marley (Bob's daughter).

Musicians interviewed include Neville "Bunny" Livingston, Alvin "Seeco" Patterson (who played percussion with The Wailers), Jimmy Cliff, and Aston "Family Man" Barrett (who played bass with The Wailers). Other folks in the music industry were also interviewed, including Clive Chin (producer, Randy's Records), Chris Blackwell (founder, Island Records), Neville Garrick (artistic director for The Wailers 1974-1980), and Lee "Scratch" Perry.

Friends who were interviewed include Lloyd "Bread" McDonald (friend who grew up in Trench Town), Desi Smith, Ibis Pitts (a friend in Delaware), Cindy Breakspeare (a girlfriend, who was named Miss World in 1976). Also interviewed was Edward Seaga (former Jamaican Prime Minister). There is even an interview with Bob's first teacher, and she talks about (what else?) singing.  And of course there is plenty of Bob Marley music throughout the film, including some recordings I'd never heard before (such as cool demo version of "No Woman, No Cry").

The film goes in chronological order, from his birth in St. Ann in Jamaica (there is a shot of his childhood home, which is a tiny shack) and his relocating to Kingston when he was twelve. It was a search for a better life, but they ended up in Trench Town which is like a trailer park with shacks and metal makeshift walls. (Bob Marley would sing about Trench Town in several of his songs.) Bob Marley didn't know his father, "Captain" Norval Marley, a white man. And because of his being half black, half white, Bob often felt like an outsider. When Bob was seventeen, his mother left him to move to the United States, so he was sort of abandoned by both parents.

Reggae

Bob Marley's first record, "Judge Not," was recorded in 1962, when Bob was just sixteen. Interestingly, it was Jimmy Cliff who recorded him. And we do get to hear the song. But when Bob's solo records weren't selling enough, he had the idea to put together a band. That was Bob and Bunny and then Peter Tosh. At first they were called the Juveniles, then The Wailers.

The film does talk about the roots of reggae music, how it came from ska, and how it was tied to the Jamaican independence in 1962 when musicians wanted music they could call Jamaican music. Bob Andy, a Studio 1 recording artist, says in an interview that the beginning of reggae came about because of an illusion caused by the tape delay machine. People thought the guitar was making more noise than it actually was. (Moments like that in this film - and there are many of them - are delightful.)

There are also wonderful little touches in this film. For example, it defines for us the word "duppy" as an evil spirit or ghost. When they were just starting out, Bob and the others sang at cemetery, in order to be brave so that they would not be afraid later to get on stage.  Also, we're treated to The Wailers' cover of "A Teenager Is In Love" (after hearing the original, so that we could compare the two renditions).

Rastafari

A section that I found really interesting (and more than a bit scary and twisted) is that on Rastafari.  Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia (aka Ras Tafari) was considered the re-incarnation of Jesus Christ. "He's our god," Lloyd "Bread" McDonald says. He also says that Rasta says the purpose of life is to be happy, and that is something we can all get behind. But calling a person a god is, in my opinion, demented.  But it was his involvement in this religion that caused Bob to grows dreadlocks. The significance is explained, that dreadlocks meant you were Rastafarian, and you took a vow not to cut it for certain length of time. This was not to be taken lightly. When asked about his dreadlocks in an interview, Bob Marley said, "This is my identity."

The relation to marijuana is also explained. Though illegal in Jamaica, they would smoke it because The Bible says to partake of the herb. So it was considered a sacrament. The ideas behind the religion all seem quite positive. But this is the one area in which I found myself wanting more than the documentary provided.  For example, What did Haile Selassie think himself? Did he believe himself to be the reincarnation of Christ? Or was it just others who believed this? And how did this come about? Did Haile encourage this view that he was Jesus Christ? Did he have any control over it? Was he disgusted by it?  This is a fascinating area, and I wish more were included about it in the film.

(It does mention that "War" is based on a speech Haile Selassie gave to the UN in 1963.)

Politics

Another area that is fascinating is the political realities of Jamaica in the 1970s. In 1976, there was a lot of violence. And there was the idea of a free concert. During the rehearsal period, gunmen entered the house and shot at everyone. Fortunately nobody died, but several were wounded (including Bob and Rita). Though clearly those men were trying to stop concert from happening, the show went on. The documentary includes footage of Bob Marley showing his wounds on stage, and some of concert. The band then went to London, but in Jamaica the violence was escalating and folks wanted Bob to come back to help heal the island. And there is footage from that show as well. (Another of those wonderful moments is the reveal that Bob's "Watch what you're doing" was not aimed at crowd, but at a musician who played wrong note.)

The documentary also spends time on the end of Bob Marley's life, his treatments for cancer, and so on. Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981. He was only 36 years old.

Bonus Features

The DVD has several bonus features, including a short feature titled Around The World, in which folks from various nations talk about how Bob Marley inspires them. It starts in Jamaica, with students performing his songs, and talking about what his music means to them. It then goes on to Brazil, Japan, Kenya, Ghana, Tibet, India and Tunisia.

There is also an extended interview with Bunny Wailer (19 minutes). I love his recounting the story of hearing "Simmer Down" (the first single released by The Wailers) played for the first time. And in a segment titled "Children's Memories," there are more interviews with Bob Marley's children - Stephen Marley, David "Ziggy" Marley (about how he got his nickname - two different stories), and Cedella Marley.

Another special feature is titled "Listening To 'I'm Loose.'"  This shows several people listening to a personal recording on head phones, and their reactions. This is a recording I've never heard, and on it Bob Marley is using his music to flirt with a girl, and we also hear the girl reacting.

And there is a photo gallery (includes photos of many of the people who were interviewed for the film), as well as the theatrical trailer.

The DVD's commentary track is by director Kevin Macdonald and David "Ziggy" Marley (who is one of the film's producers).

Marley was released today, August 7, 2012.