In what is widely considered to be even better than the Broadway stage musical, this film version of HAIR, directed by Milos Forman, gives a boost to what was, on the stage, a nonexistent plotline, and highlights the already fabulous score with this epic musical. Filmed on location in and around New York City, the main plotline follows Claude (John Savage) a farm boy turned draftee from Oklahoma on his way to Vietnam. In New York, he is adopted by a group of flower children, led by Berger (Treat Williams) and including Jeannie (Annie Golden), who take him on a series of counter-cultural adventures that introduce Claude to hallucinogens and to a flaky but loveable debutante named Sheila (Beverly D'Angelo). Along with this experience come an introduction to issues of race, gender, politics, and war. The performances--both the acting and the singing--are extraordinary, and choreographer Twyla Tharp stages some of the most inventive and exquisite dance sequences ever seen, including a "horse ballet" by mounted police in Central Park, and an LSD trip-fantasy sequence. The sheer visual energy in HAIR--and the energy of its stars--propels this unique and nostalgic film forward every minute, and gives new insight into the Vietnam War era.
Theatrical Release: March 14, 1979.
The original Broadway cast included Melba Moore and Diane Keaton.
DVD Features:
Region 1
NTSC
Keep Case
Dual Side
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Mono - French
Subtitles - English, French - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: Orginal Trailer
Text/Photo Galleries:
Stills/Photos
Disc 1/Side A: HAIR - Widescreen
Widescreen - 1.85
Disc 1/Side B: HAIR - Full Frame
Full Frame - 1.33
Distributor Notes: Brimming with the energy, passion and music that rocked a nation, Hair is an entertaining and powerful tribute to the turbulent spirit of the '60s. Brilliantly recreated by OscarĀ®-winning director Milos Forman and screenwriter Michael Weller (Ragtime), this vibrant screen version of the Broadway phenomenon ranks "among the best film musicals" (The Hollywood Reporter)! Fresh from the farm, Claude Bukowski (John Savage, The Thin Red Line) arrives in New York City for a date with the Army Induction Board, only to walk into a hippie 'happening' in Central Park and fall in love with the beautiful Sheila (Beverly D'Angelo, American History X). Befriended by the hippies' pacifist leader, Berger (Treat Williams, Mulholland Falls), and urged to crash a formal party in order to declare his love for Sheila, Claude begins an adventure that lands him in jail, Central Park Lake and finally, in the army. But Berger's final effort to save Claude from Vietnam sets in motion a bizarre twist of fate... with shocking consequences.
Costume Designer
Ann Roth: Costume Designer
Director of Photography
Miroslav Ondricek:
Director of Photography
Richard Kratina: American Diretor of Photography
Featured
Charlotte Ray:
Production Designer
Stuart Wurtzel: Production Designer
Special Effects
Al Griswold: Special Effects
Choreographer
Twyla Tharp: Dancer/Choreographer
Review 1:
Included in the New York Times's "10 BEST FILMS OF 1979"
Source: New York Times
p.II:1 12/30/1979
Review 2:
"...A rollicking musical memoir....The charm of a fable and the slickness of Broadway show biz at its breathless best..."
Source: New York Times
p.C15 03/14/1979
Review 3:
"...Vibrant and innovative....HAIR is a triumph of technical craftsmanship..."
Source: Variety
03/14/1979