As the front man of the Clash from 1977 onwards, Joe Strummer changed people's lives forever. Four years after his death, his influence reaches out around the world, more strongly now than ever before. In "The Future Is Unwritten", from British film director Julien Temple, Joe Strummer is revealed not just as a legend or musician, but as a true communicator of our times. Drawing on both a shared punk history and the close personal friendship which developed over the last years of Joe's life, Julien Temple's film is a celebration of Joe Strummer - before, during and after the Clash.

1979 film directed by Franc Roddam

Part documentary, part concert film, part fever dream, this film captures the troubled spirit of America in 1975 and the joyous music that Dylan performed during the fall of that year.

In this music video for Radiohead's new single, singer Thom Yorke traverses a shifting landscape of hall-ways, houses, department stores and mountains in search of an unknown destination. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.

THE CONCERT FOR GEORGE is currently playing in theatres. (This is being written in October, 2003.) I believe the DVD will include this version with other material, but, since that won't be out until November, I'm only commenting on what's being seen in movie theatres. This is a film of a memorial concert. George Harrison's colleagues and friends gathered at the Royal Albert Hall a years after his death and performed. The film quality is good and so is the sound. Everybody is relaxed. I've always felt THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH has an atmosphere of panic. THE CONCERT FOR GEORGE, with an equally stellar line-up, is much more assured than THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH. A highlight is a piece featuring Eric Clapton playing a guitar solo with Ravi Shankar's musicians behind him. The piece was written by Ravi Shankar for this event. George Harrison's concept of music which is both Western and Eastern is realized. Paul McCartney sings Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" clearly and sincerely. Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne sing "Handle With Care," the Traveling Wilburys' signature tune. Billy Preston is in fine voice and someone I've never heard of, Joe Brown, performs. His band was managed by Brian Epstein. We are shown a poster for an event at which the Beatles warmed up for Joe Brown's group. Joe Brown's songs are sung in a warm, confident voice and he plays a ukelele. Ukeleles were a major joy for Harrison in his last decade. Ringo sings "Photograph" with better keyboard work than I've ever heard on it. He drums on a couple of the songs Paul sings on. McCartney and Clapton play a segmented "Something," Paul beginning it with a ukelele and Clapton coming in about a third of the way through with a bright electric solo. The drumming at this point successfully duplicates the sound on ABBEY ROAD. Olivia Harrison lights a lamp at the beginning and, throughout the concert, Dhani Harrison plays rhythm guitar. He plays piano during the Ravi Shankar composition. During "Isn't It a Pity," Dhani sings "Nah, nah, nah, nah-nah, nah, nah" in a tipping of the hat to "Hey Jude." After "Isn't It a Pity," Ringo introduces Paul. Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam (joined by Neil Innes and Tom Hanks, actually) do two skits and Palin makes two humorously pompous speeches. Several times, but not intrusively, the performers speak to the cameras about George. During one or two songs, the voice of an interviewee comes over a song, and that's my one objection. Altogether, this is a movie of a good concert and the last few minutes are really quite moving. I saw it with a small audience, but everybody clapped at the end.