Bob Marley: The Making of a Legend

This is the true story of the rise of the Wailers told by themselves. This film is an intimate look at the roots of a spiritual and musical revolution that would soon change the face of popular music and the hearts and minds of struggling people all over the Earth. It is raw and pure, no glitz and glamor. It was presented that way so that its true audience could benefit from seeing it as close as possible to the way it was meant to be when the recordings were made in the 70's, and though all of the footage could not be recovered and Chris Blackwell refused to let his ex partner and co-founder of Island Records, Esther Anderson use the Wailers music for the score and soundtrack, it non the less shines like a beacon of light, guiding a new underground generation eager to change the current condition of the planet for the better in these revolutionary times. Watch it and be inspired to "Get up Stand up" as you learn the truth behind the writing of this Global anthem for freedom! Much is owed to Esther, Bob, Peter, Bunny, Family Man and the rest of the Wailers for being the artist visionaries that lead the way and still continue to do so today. The Rastaman Vibration is positive!

An extraordinary documentary about the real human being, Bob Marley before he became famous. A true work of art, very carefully crafted and with a stunning music soundtrack. It is not surprising that it has been invited to more than 30 film festivals. I have watched it several times now, and each time I find something new. This film is not formulaic like so many music documentaries which exploit the artist rather than exploring his or her essence. No, this is different. This is for real. The narrative is built around the first ever footage of Bob Marley and The Wailers at a time when they were trying to cross over internationally, showing Bob Marley, Esther Anderson and Peter Tosh talking intimately at 56 Hope Road. We are taken to a river fall where we see the union of Reggae and Rasta with Bob and Ras Daniel Hartman, the star of The Harder They Come. Throughout the film, Esther Anderson, talks about how she started to work with Bob and the Wailers, and how they wrote together songs like Get up Stand up and I Shot The Sheriff. Particularly emotional is to see The Wailers first rehearsal at Hope Road. This film, and Esther's point of view helped me truly understand many things about Rasta that nobody else had explained before. Congratulations and thanks for the inspiration. Blessed.

Seeing this film with lost footage is like a window or a portal into a time & place & space in 1970's Jamaica the coming of fame or birth of the king of reggae. Bob Marley before the fame! Even the camera Esther Anderson used was a prototype Sony video camera.

I like learning motivation for songs and some gems are revealed here! I don't want to spoil the reveal! Enjoy riding in Esther's Land Rover with Bob Marley driving up and thru the Jamaican rolling countryside. Ever wonder what it would be like if you could have a spliff with the King of Reggae? Check it out here in the film as Esther does.

The soundtrack is phenomenal and fresh and upbeat and yet reggae classic in vibes. I definitely recommend it!

Went to the premiere of 'Bob Marley: the making of a legend' in Barbados...it was a delightful, honest, insight into the early life of Bob Marley and The Wailers...very refreshing. This movie was just a simple love story...a love for Bob, a love for the Wailers, a love for their music and a love for Jamaica. Esther Anderson's insight into what these artistes would become is clearly visible...the fact that this film was put together from reels of lost footage and the relentless vision to find same...says a lot for Esther's determination. I have been following the 'career' of this short documentary and very proud to see all of the accolades and the awards. Very impressed. Rosemary Parkinson

Blessed is Our Creator!!! As one of millions and millions of humans whose life was positively affected by the wisdom and music of Bob Marley it gives me great pleasure to recommend this movie. To see the yet to be international musician deal with coming to the fork in the road of his life and his interaction with Ms. Anderson will leave a great impression upon the viewer not to cave into the pressures of life and aim for the purpose for that which a human was placed upon this blessed earth. May this film 'Catch A Fire,' within the minds and hearts of those who merit to see it. One learns of the prejudice that Ms. Anderson and Bob experienced on proposed business trip to Haiti and how that served to ignite a desire from within Bob to 'Never give up the fight.' Interviews from those who knew both are very insightful and should empower us non-Jamaicans not only to better understand the cultural context of Reggae music stripped away from the commercial considerations of the future of the music which at times have benefited the Reggae music community and far too many times weakened it unfortunately as well. One more point that I wish to add!!! The movie captures a certain period of time but that by no means makes the information static which one can access to assist oneself where does one fit within the painting frame of creation-is one an image or a message-the the instruction which permeates this film is that one can find a happy medium of being an image and a message or messenger and not compromise one's vision of how to live life according to one's ambition to grow like a tree planted by the waters of expanding consciousness!!!