Search - The Cockettes on DVD

Go see the Cockettes

David W | Florida | 10/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Waters, Janis Joplin, David Bowie, Elton John, Bette Midler and many others got some of their style and attitude from this local San Francisco theatrical group. It was theater that literally scraped itself up off the streets and onto a stage at the Palace Theater -- and nothing has been the same since. You owe it to yourself to see something here that you will not see the likes of again. The film is beautifully made, historically accurate, and true blue. Don't miss this movie!"

A moving view of an amazing period in US history

C. Harbison | Montague, MA United States | 03/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"beautifully constructed of original 1960/70s footage and modern day reminiscences--great scenes and great, as well as realistic, view of hippie life and dreams--honestly showing the transformation that commercialization brought to a clearly doomed utopian experiment. If you were there, this is a great memory piece; if you weren't there, this might help you understand the power of that transforming time."

Capturing Magic!

Paulette Kenyon | California, USA | 01/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I lived down the street from the Palace Theater in the early 70's and had a chance to see the Cockettes. They were, as the film shows vividly, fabulous! The clothes, the makeup, the in-your-face nonconformity! America has become so bland now in comparison. I love the music in the film, the silent movie quality, and the way they pop back and forth between the survivors and their remembrances. It's visually interesting and the characters draw you into their magical world. They may demonize welfare moms now, but, welfare did give the mentally disabled something creative to do with their time back in the 70's. This is proof positive. Much better than pushing a shopping cart and mumbling, I should say."

A Complete Surprise

Barker333 | Peoria, IL USA | 06/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a result of purchasing a used video at a local chain, I saw the preview of this title on the video. Even though I was a young adult at the time, this documentary was a total surprise to me. I knew nothing about this subject, nor had I ever heard any reference to it. Of course I had heard of the "Hippies" and what San Francisco was like at the time.
The interviews with participants, while making this film years later, was fascinating. One can see the devastating result of drugs and AIDS on some of the participants.
I certainly thought it was interesting and very well done. I highly recommend it."