Revealing, rarely-seen footage of Monk in 1967-1968 captures the mercurial music master on and offstage, in the studio and on the road, at work and at rest. This is supplemented by interviews with Monk's friends and colleagues, interpretations of Monk's music and rare archival photographs producing a vibrant portrait of the legendary jazz musician.

Documentary about legendary jazz pianist/composer Thelonious Monk. Much of the film is centered around the six months of footage cinematographer Christian Blackwood shot of Monk in 1967-68. The footage reveals a lot about Monk's personality, including his dramatic mood swings, his eccentric behavior, as well as his sense of humor. The footage also shows Monk "behind the scenes" in the studio and on tour in Europe. Interviews, photos and many of Monk's songs round out this biography.

This film was world premiered at the 1988 London Film Festival.

Songs performed:
"Evidence"
"On the Bean"
"'Round Midnight"
"Rhythm-a-ning"
"Blue Monk"
"Well, You Needn't"
"Bright Mississippi"
"Trinkle Tinkle"
"Ugly Beauty"
"Just a Gigolo"
"Ask Me Now"
"Crepuscule with Nellie"
"We See"
"I Should Care"
"Osaka T."
"Epistrophy"
"Ruby"
"Don't Blame Me"
"My Dear"
"Lulu's Back in Town"
"I Mean You"
"Off Minor"
"Boo Boo's Birthday"
"Pannonica"
"Misterioso"
"Monk's Mood"
"Sweetheart of All My Dreams"

Malpaso is Clint Eastwood's production company.

Color by DuArt.

Additional credits: Stuart Math (director of photography).

Also appearing in the movie are: Thelonious Monk Jr., Bob Jones, and Baroness Nica de Koenigswarter (voice only).

DVD Features:

Region 1
Snap Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Single Side - Single Layer
Additional Release Material:
Trailers
Text/Photo Galleries:
Biographies - Cast/Crew

Thelonious Monk: 

Charlotte Zwerin: Documentary Director, worked with Maysles Bros.

"...Remarkable....The Monk music that courses through the film is extraordinary in its range of feeling..."
"...We are granted a closer glance behind the veil of this half-hidden, exotically gifted figure than could ever be observed during his sadly aborted career..."
"...This solid documentary of the jazz piano legend has a remarkable genesis....It is enriched -- or rather 'made' - by rare Monk footage shot in 1967..."