If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd

If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd (2018)

**** (out of 4)

Excellent documentary that covers the rise of Lynyrd Skynyrd from a small band playing in little clubs to becoming giants opening for The Rolling Stones, The Who and then taking off on their own. Of course, all of it came to a halt when a plane crash killed three members of the band including the lead singer.

IF I LEAVE HERE TOMORROW was released just as the band set off on their "Farewell Tour" and in many ways it's a very fitting documentary for a number of reasons. For starters, as it is said in the movie, a lot of people probably know the band for Sweet Home Alabama and Freebird yet they might not know other details about where they came from, how they took off and why they continued on after the crash. All of that is answered here and in fine detail.

Many of the surviving members are on hand speaking about the band's career and there's no question that this here is the highlight of the picture. It was really a lot of fun to get first-hand accounts of the band starting up, taking off and living up to their reputation. The drugs, the booze and the loud music are all discussed and we really get some great stories and some even better footage of the original band performing.

The plane crash is also discussed in detail including some rather haunting footage from current times when they revisit the crash site. In fact, they actually find a part of the plane, which is hard to believe after all of this time. The surviving members discuss what happened, what they knew about the plane before taking off and we get some chilling details about the crash itself.

IF I LEAVE HERE TOMORROW works as a great tribute to the band and add in all the great footage and fans should really enjoy this.

As a native of Jacksonville, going to the same schools that the guys in Skynyrd went to, and being a huge fan, I have seen just about every documentary on this band. This doc used more unseen footage than I've every seen! It's a lovingly, well-made documentary, but I recommend turning on close caption to hear the interviews

Stephen Kijak did a very nice job putting this documentary together. It's done so very respectfully and pays the proper homage this great band deserves from original members to current members. Lynyrd Skynyrd was a rock solid steady part of the soundtrack of lives for anyone growing up in the '70's. And their legend and music still reverberates with strength and relevance as it did back then. This documentary will shed light on the band's roots, it's rise to icon status, the highs & the lows. in great clarity. There is something to be learned in this gem by even the most devoted fan. Much Respect!

Having grown up on Lynyrd Skynyrd's music, I thought the in-depth documentary was great. All of the photos and stories from the early days when they were just a bunch of kids from Jacksonville who wanted to be rock stars were fantastic, and Gary Rossington in particular is a very likable and endearing guy.

It's that they basically stopped at the plane crash, then skipped right to the band's rebirth, with no further story about the surviving members, that sucks. Mostly, that what happened to Allen Collins never came up. Frankly, Allen was probably the single most tragic member of Lynyrd Skynyrd (including those who died in the crash), and he was a founding member, yet after the plane crash there was no mention of him other than his "in memoriam" at the end. That kind of sucks. He deserved more.

Other than that, I really liked it.

Living in Alabama I hear "Simple Man" damn near every day. I really liked the documentary. Cried Three times.