In the Court of the Crimson King: King Crimson at 50

Ok you need to understand my personal bias . I am a fan for nearly tte entire 50 years. But it was NOT a nostalgic film looking back at the past. It was a film about the present. A snap shot of who they are and where they are at now. That was refreshing. It was done in good humor and revealed an intimate portrait of the Crims and there extended members. The quality of the cinematography and editing is superior and the entire film was assembled thoughtfully producing a genuine portrait of the band at that point in time. You don't need to be a fan to enjoy the film but it helps to understand the characters involved. It's is well worth the time spent watching if only for entertainment but I would suggest you will walk away enriched .

Reading the reviews I realised that many people who saw this expected it to be your typical film of the bands history, it's ups and lows and tales from the road. If that's what you're looking for, this isn't for you.

If you want to see what it means to be fully committed to your art and vision, you're going to love it. It's hard to watch sometimes and it makes you wonder is this all necessary, it makes you angry at some people and it makes you feel sorry for some. There's also rare kind of beauty in it.

If you already know the bands history and the central members of it but you want to get inside the band, this is for you. If you expect it to be something else, it'll be a letdown.

I knew nothing about Crimson King.

I had listened to a little bit of their music and it told me nothing, so I never paid any more attention.

After watching this film, I can proudly say I know very little about the facts, names, impact, etc of the band.

I feel I know what drives the band, what they are trying to do, what cost it comes at, and even maybe what they get out of it.

And I quite like that was the take of the film. I can learn all the data in Wikipedia if I'm so inclined; I can listen to their recordings any time I want; this film fills a different gap.

I'm still not keen on what they create and how they dress it up. But it doesn't matter. This is not a film for fans, it's a film for people who care about a craft whichever that craft might be.

As a lifelong fan I have been waiting for a good documentary about one of my favourite bands - or any documentary for that matter. Again a cliché is proven right on the (easy) money: good things come to those that wait.

I never thought I would get this close to this most hermetic of bands and especially not to the Hermit In Chief: Robert Fripp. This film proves once and for all he's not (only) a cantakarous old sod, but also a deeply funny and intensely emotional man. And as a guitarist, one can only stand in awe of his dedication to his craft.

Seeing a whole host of band members from the recent to the distant past speak of the band that in every instance changed their lives - for better, for worse or both. It is truly heartwarming that Bill Rieflin, who during the making of this documentary had stage four colon cancer, is made into a focal point all on his own. Not only the life of a band, but also the lives of the band members come to light.

Even if you have never heard of King Crimson, you will be entertained by this well constructed documentary, filmed unflinchingly up close, and the quality and hilarity of the interviews, conducted in such places as on a stage, in a dismal van and at a candlelit dinner table. Deep earnestness and light-hearted taking the piss are around every corner. Just like in life, really.

A worthy tribute: irreverent, spiky and funny. So do take a seat in this Court and bow your heads to the majesty of King Crimson.

Leave your expectations at the door and go in with an open mind. If you are not already a fan of the band, King Crimson, then this should be easy enough. If you are and you don't already know that this is how to approach their work then I'm not sure what to say. Some interesting "totally missed the point" reviews here. I will say no more about that.

If you want a typical rock-doc about this album, that album, this producer, that sound engineer, this tour, that break-up, go elsewhere. It's already out there. Start with youtube. If you want someone to reassure you overtly that the band you love is the best, or that Robert Fripp is a compositional genius who does not suffer fools glady, go elsewhere. We already know these things.

If you want a truly fascinating, touching, illuminating, baffling, sad, funny, moving and deep dive into the mind of the true artist, artists who put music above all else, and not without personal cost, then go see this movie. Rent it, buy, it, badger your local art-house cinema to arrange a showing. Bring your friends. The smart ones.

This is not glitzy, it is not glamourous, but it is candid and honest. The shooting style is minimally invasive, totally immersive stuff - you know, like when wildlife biologists go camp out with gorillas for months on end until the gorillas start to ignore them and carry on with life as normal. Amies is literally shooting from the hip most of the time here and also asking all the dumb questions (and sometimes bearing the brunt of the fallout for doing so) on the viewer's behalf.

This is a diamond in the rough. It is about music, not showbiz. It is about the transcendent places great music can take you, the dedication and diligence of artists bearing the weight of trying to achieve those heights on a nightly basis for the audience. It is about people. Extraordinary people.