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IMDbPro

Zappa

  • 2020
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
Frank Zappa in Zappa (2020)
With unfettered access to the Zappa family trust and all archival footage, 'Zappa' explores the private life behind the mammoth musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time.
Play trailer2:03
7 Videos
5 Photos
BiographyDocumentaryHistoryMusic

An in-depth look into the life and work of musician Frank Zappa.An in-depth look into the life and work of musician Frank Zappa.An in-depth look into the life and work of musician Frank Zappa.

  • Director
    • Alex Winter
  • Stars
    • Frank Zappa
    • Lonnie Lardner
    • Patrice Zappa
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    3.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Alex Winter
    • Stars
      • Frank Zappa
      • Lonnie Lardner
      • Patrice Zappa
    • 39User reviews
    • 43Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 nominations total

    Videos7

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:03
    Official Trailer
    Zappa
    Trailer 2:05
    Zappa
    Zappa
    Trailer 2:05
    Zappa
    Zappa
    Trailer 2:03
    Zappa
    Zappa: Bruce Bickford
    Clip 1:40
    Zappa: Bruce Bickford
    Zappa: The Black Page Performance
    Clip 1:37
    Zappa: The Black Page Performance
    Zappa: Gail And Frank Zappa's Relationship
    Clip 0:58
    Zappa: Gail And Frank Zappa's Relationship

    Photos4

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Frank Zappa
    Frank Zappa
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Lonnie Lardner
    Lonnie Lardner
    • Self - Newscaster for Action News
    • (archive footage)
    Patrice Zappa
    • Self - Frank Zappa's Sister
    • (archive footage)
    Carl Zappa
    • Self - Frank Zappa's Brother
    • (archive footage)
    Rose Zappa
    • Self - Frank Zappa's Mother
    • (archive footage)
    Francis Zappa
    • Self - Frank Zappa's Father
    • (archive footage)
    Edgard Varèse
    Edgard Varèse
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Don Van Vliet
    Don Van Vliet
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • (as Captain Beefheart)
    Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention
    • Themselves
    • (archive footage)
    Johnny 'Guitar' Watson
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Pamela Zarubica
    • Self - Zappa's Roommate
    The Beatles
    The Beatles
    • Themselves
    • (archive footage)
    Bunk Gardner
    • Self - Played with Zappa 1966-1969
    Ian Underwood
    • Self - Played with Zappa 1967-1975
    Ruth Underwood
    • Self - Played with Zappa 1967-1976
    Gail Zappa
    • Self - Frank Zappa's Wife
    Tom Wilson
    • Self - Music Producer
    • (archive footage)
    Euclid James 'Motorhead' Sherwood
    • Self - Baritone Saxophone
    • (archive footage)
    • (as Motorhead Sherwood)
    • …
    • Director
      • Alex Winter
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews39

    7.53.8K
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    Featured reviews

    10Siebert_Tenseven

    Absolutely Free

    I was expecting all sorts of over-the-top freaky posturing and interviews for the sake of a buck, which Frank would have despised. Instead it was a decent and accurate synopsis of a man who will forever be shrouded in mystery.

    The impact Frank Zappa had on many generations of slowly aging young persons coming of age, listening to FZ albums and never being the same again, seems to be the point of this documentary.

    I was impressed through the whole thing. The production was never sensationalist. It is a somewhat gripping bio of a man finding his way as an artist. I think they call themselves "influencers" now.
    7Weirdomusic-dot-com

    A decent documentary, but certainly not "definitive".

    A decent documentary, but certainly not "definitive". Given the fact the Alex Winter had unlimited access to the Zappa vault I had expected more rare footage. Still, as a general introduction to the person Frank Zappa it's not a bad starting point.
    7thomas33911

    It Could Happen Here

    Very personal look at a crazy, brilliant, brave, unique, individual.

    While I have never been a fan of his music, I've always been a huge fan of his originality and passion for freedom.

    Though the producers and directors of this movie paint conservative politicians as the oppressors, I believe that Frank knew it was all politicians. I wonder what he would say about the country we are living in today.
    8burntweney

    Zappa (The Composer)

    I gave this my own title because I feel that was the focus. And it's very well done! This movie gives you the full spectrum of Frank Zappa. It doesn't sugar coat the subject. While showing his brilliance it shows his flaws. The parts dealing with his end of life can be very emotional as it should be. Considering the vast volume of source material I was hoping for more of the Garrick Theater era, but it wasn't to be. Perhaps it's not available. Maybe some longer clips of concert material too. But it isn't that type of film. Hopefully everyone will see just how talented and driven Frank Zappa is from watching this. Alex Winter does a great job of showing his talent as a composer. Only lacking in showing what a proficient guitar player he was. Never really emphasized how ground breaking he was in that area. I still highly recommend seeing the movie!
    6evansmjp

    Nicely made documentary about Franks life but glosses over too many things

    As a backer of the vault saving project which lead to this movie, and a long time Zappa fan I have read 'The Real Frank Zappa' book and many other articles, clips, etc. throughout his life so maybe I'm coming from a different viewpoint than the average viewer.

    There is a lot of new footage and a few new things to be learnt about his life but there are many moments in the movie where I feel that the details are left out just a little too much - for example Frank worked for Studio Z before he bought it - he also bought up film sets with expectation of making movies.

    I would have loved to have seen/heard more about his younger life, and the Garrick theater shenanigans, etc.

    Otherwise the movie is beautifully made..

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film was not financed by crowdfunding, contrary to popular belief. The Kickstarter campaign was aimed solely at preserving and restoring the contents of the Zappa vault. The film that resulted from that preservation was itself financed by conventional backers.
    • Goofs
      In the opening titles, it says, Zappa played a concert in the Czech Republic on 24 June 1991, to celebrate the fairly recent departure of Russian troops. It was in fact still Czechoslovakia then.

      It then incorrectly states that this was his last recorded guitar performance, but that was in fact one week later at a smaller concert in Budapest.
    • Quotes

      Ruth Underwood: It was that type of music that he could produce that was a product of everything that was in him. But you couldn't really categorize it. You couldn't say, Oh yeah, that's rock and roll, 'cause it wasn't.

      Ruth Underwood: It's jazz. No. It really wasn't. It's pop music. No. Not at all. Well, what the hell is it?

      Ruth Underwood: It's Zappa.

    • Connections
      Features The Ernie Kovacs Show (1952)
    • Soundtracks
      Bolero
      Written by Maurice Ravel

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Zappa?Powered by Alexa
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 27, 2020 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Kickstarter Page
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Заппа
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Trouper Productions
      • Zipper Bros Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $15,502
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,019
      • Nov 29, 2020
    • Gross worldwide
      • $220,031
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 9m(129 min)
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 1.78 : 1

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