All My Loving

Tony Palmer’s 1967 BBC television documentary about the rock’n’roll explosion in western civilisation is a treasure trove. In a candid extra, Palmer recalls how he was commissioned to film a piece on the economic and philosophical impact of popular music. The film features stuffy social pundits, hearing specialists and jingle writers going off about the pros and cons of rock music and the spell it cast on a young generation of consumers. A rock fan with one significant contact, Palmer sought help telling the other side of the story. His friend John Lennon hooked him up with associates such as Jimi Hendrix, the Who, Frank Zappa and the Beatles. The rare interview and performance footage is priceless, particularly when coupled with Palmer’s antiquated yet starkly experimental style. Frightened by the intense narrative, the BBC aired the film at the end of their broadcast day. Seldom seen, All My Loving finally gets a shot at the audience it richly deserves.