Head 1968 Version

I've been meaning to buy a copy of this for quite some time. I'm actually old enough to remember going to the theater to see this on the big screen. Not 1st release this was in late 1969 when it was the 2'd movie on a double bill the first being Dean Martin's "The Wrecking Crew" his secret agent comedy of a Movie. I passed up getting this on VCR when I was able to tape it when it played on TV. Then recently even DVD prices have started climbing so I bit the bullet and bought it. Glad I did DVD's must not being made anymore and prices are going ever higher. Its for fans of the Monkees that like this hodgepodge of various scenes in this black comedy of a movie. Or fans that like dark comedy's, or even someone that wants to pick up a period piece when anti studio youth films took off in the late 60's. Another one of that era you have to get is "Wild in the Streets" on how youth elect a president. The producers here along with Jack Nicholson went on to make "Easy Rider" the most popular movie of this movement. Head was just a "Stepping Stone" (sort of a pun) for them in their movie careers. Real big disappointment was how this movie was advertised on initial release. The initial ad was stupid beyond belief no mention of the Monkees at all made it sound like an art movie. It should have had brief pictures of the Monkees saying its their new movie and what a strange trip to let fans no this was not like the TV show. Another big goof was the LP soundtrack why the silver front to make it look like a mirror the cover should have been like this DVD cover. And 6 songs covering the whole LP really dumb. True the Beatles got away with that in Help but that was a standard movie and they were the Beatles. But the UK versions which became the CD versions had the movie 6 songs on one side and another 6 -7 songs on the other side. We now know the Monkees had plenty of songs to use and could have and should have gone that route, more songs for the money. Porpoise Song as a song is fine but certainly not catchy like "Hard Days Night" or "Help". Wish someone would have come up with a catchier theme song to release as a 45 that could have helped out LP sales. A lot of wish haves looking back from a lot of years later. This stands as an interesting point in time what was going on in the USA in the late 60's.

The movie is not like any movie I've ever seen. I liked it.

In time and condition

When this film was made the career of the Monkees was already in decline as their show had been cancelled and their music was no longer charting ('Porpoise Song' from the "Head" soundtrack got up to number 62 on Billboard). The group was tired of their squeaky clean image as the 'Pre-Fab Four', and they just wanted out. This film was conceived in an effort to reach out to more adult audiences, and to hasten their departure from the scenes as the prototype MTV 'boy band'.The film itself is a quirky, stream of consciousness movie that treads the line between anti-war statement film to over the top comedy in scenes where, for instance, they have to frolic on the scalp of Victor Mature (in a sequence known as 'dandruff') and are subsequently sucked into a giant vacuum cleaner by Victor Mature's hairdresser. There is no plot as such, but there is some redeeming social commentary such as when Frank Zappa tells Davy that he needs to work on his music more (but compliments his dancing, done with Toni Basil). At the end of the scene Frank Zappa's cow offers her opinion of the Monkees, in a scene that must be my favorite of the movie.Some of the music is great, with the Nesmith tune 'Circle Sky' getting top mention. It's a great song, filmed live in a scene designed to show how the boys had been devoured by their public image. Other musical numbers are a bit lacking, particularly 'Daddy's Song' and 'As We Go Along.'Highlights in the film are in the cameos. Not only do Toni Basil and Frank Zappa put in appearances, so do boxer Sonny Liston (who fights Davy), Terry Garr (who pleads to have poison sucked from her finger), Annette Funicello (who pleads tearfully with Davy in a love interest scene), and Jack Nicholson and Dennis Hopper in a cantina scene. Most peculiar of all credits are for writers and producers, namely longtime Monkees collaborator Bob Rafelson, and Jack Nicholson, who later collaborated on "Five Easy Pieces" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice", among other projects.There are also extras consisting of theatrical trailers, including one in Portuguese, and television ads for the film. The film was essentially not promoted, certainly didn't connect with the typical Monkee demographic, and was a disaster at the box office. This didn't trouble the band, as it gave them a clear path out, with Peter quitting very shortly after the movie was released. This is as unlike the Monkees TV show as can be imagined, and I recommend it for anyone looking for a trippy sixties flashback stranger than most any other. I was fortunate enough to see this in a theater, and have loved it ever since. I recommend the film to people who know about the Monkees or just think they do. I guarantee that it will shatter your preconceived notions of the band.

I found this movie to be both irritating and interesting. It reminds me of the Bob Dylan biopic I’m Not There, in that it tries to be wacky but ends up being tamer than it thinks it is, throwing as many styles and techniques at the proverbial wall to see what sticks. It hops from genre to genre and lacks a coherent plot (as such) and it includes all the political and pop cultural obsessions of its day from Vietnam to Andy Warhol. Head is also self-referential – exploring what it means to be a Monkee – a merchandisable pop star. Despite the movie being a flop at the time I can fully appreciate its cult status today, featuring as it does cameos from Frank Zappa, Jack Nicholson and Dennis Hopper; and for me the musical content alone makes it worthwhile – Circle Sky and Porpoise Song being my particular favourites. On the whole I would rather see a film that takes a gamble instead of sticking to the familiar tried and tested ground – a worthwhile experiment.

What A Mind Mash this is.If You go into this expecting an extended version of the TV Series,you are either in for a Very Enjoyable or Very Disappointing Surprise.The Band, obviously bored with this path of Manufactured Hits and Samey Performances,go WaaaaaaaY!!! off in a New Direction,bringing us a Surreal and incoherent Mix of Mayhem and illogical Storytelling.Very Much of its time.

If you like to lose yourself in surreality then this is definitely for you. This DVD is a glimpse inside a certain mindset of sixties U.S. culture. Whilst watching "Head" you have to keep reminding yourself that "it is only a movie..."

Surreal +fantastic, Big fan of the monkees ! You might find this unusual if you've only ever watched the tv show ,but if you're a Monkees fan you will love this , watch out for cameos from Jack Nicholson + Dennis Hopper Great stuff !

So glad I found this film. New respect for the Monkees and Jack Nicholson. Thattaboy Mike, thattaboy!