The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins

A day in the life of one of America's premier poets and artists of the 20th century. A small glimpse that widens the eye, touches the soul, and speaks universally while whispering about a moment.

This early 31 minute film by Les Blank captures what's terrific about Blank's style. The love and admiration he feels for his subjects, his willingness not to sugar coat the dark sides (like Hopkins' drinking), and the embrace of music and food as exemplars of the joys of existence.

It's hard not to smile watching Blank's work. The home-spun approach to his film-making – hand drawn titles, an avoidance of anything slick or fancy in his style, no narrator to create distance, makes it feel like you're watching a friend's home movies about a subject they're really excited about.

But the art lies in the fact that these 'home movies' uncannily capture people, places and whole cultures with an immediacy and vibrancy that too few documentaries have. I also like that Blank makes his films just as long as he feels they needs to be, without worry. If that means one film is 20 minutes and another 180, that won't bother him. Blank is following his gut, with no look to how it's 'supposed' to be done.

By the end of this film, I wanted to run and buy a stack of Lightnin' Hopkins recordings. That's a pretty good endorsement.

Good film. Les Blank always present his subject as much as they should be. Lightnin' Hopkins was presented while doing what he does best, playing the blues and telling stories.

This documentary presents a good perspective into the life of a bluesman as well as rural black America.

American documentary filmmaker Les Blank with Skip Gerson follows Blues musician Lightnin' Hopkins in rural Texas. I can listen to this music all day. I don't know if I really get to the heart of the man but one does get a sense of this place. It has a rodeo. It has some fishing, a little fish. It has plenty of local colors. Maybe they could have done a cook out with his family and friends. That's usually good times and good filming. Let the liquor flow and let's party it up. It's not necessarily the blues but let's blow it up for the finish.

This is a great documentary which captures the life of legendary Blues singer/guitarist Sam "Lightnin" Hopkins. It starts out depicting Hopkins as a young boy when he first decides to become a musician and then goes on to show Lightnin' as an adult performing the blues. Hopkins is followed back to his home town of Centerville, Texas where he performs at a large outdoor Barbeque. It gives you a very personal and true feeling of who Lightnin' Hopkins really was and what his music stood for.

This film is truly a valuable piece of blues history and was captured brilliantly by the director/producer. A true classic!