When You're Strange | |
---|---|
![]() Theatrical poster | |
Directed by | Tom DiCillo |
Written by | Tom DiCillo |
Produced by |
|
Narrated by | Johnny Depp |
Cinematography | Paul Ferrara |
Edited by |
|
Music by | The Doors |
Distributed by | Rhino Entertainment |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $1.2–$2.8 million[1][2] |
When You're Strange is a 2009 music documentary film about the American rock band the Doors. It was written and directed by Tom DiCillo and narrated by Johnny Depp. The film covers the band's formation in 1965, its development over the next two years, the release of its debut album and subsequent albums, and vocalist Jim Morrison's extensive use of alcohol and drugs, which led to his death in Paris in July 1971. The film features archival footage of rehearsals, TV broadcasts and concert performances, private cine-film and the background to Morrison's arrest at a 1969 Miami concert and later trial.[3] It also includes the first public release of material from Morrison's 1969 featurette HWY: An American Pastoral.[4]
The Doors' keyboardist Ray Manzarek, who was not pleased with the 1991 biopic The Doors, stated prior to the film's release that "This will be the true story of the Doors ... the anti-Oliver Stone."[4][5]