When You're Strange

"A film about The Doors"

May 12 2010 R 1h 26m
Documentary, Music

The creative chemistry of four brilliant artists —drummer John Densmore, guitarist Robby Kreiger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and singer Jim Morrison— made The Doors one of America's most iconic and influential rock bands. Using footage shot between their formation in 1965 and Morrison's death in 1971, it follows the band from the corridors of UCLA's film school, where Manzarek and Morrison met, to the stages of sold-out arenas.

Plot

A chronological look at The Doors, focusing on lead singer, Jim Morrison (1943-1971), from the formation of the band in 1965, it's first gigs, and first album, to Morrison's death, after years of alcohol and drug use. Along the journey, we see archival footage of rehearsals, performances, and private moments including a Miami concert resulting in Morrison's arrest and trial for indecency. His love of the spotlight, his desire to be a poet, and his alcohol-fueled mood swings lead to a back and forth between public and private desires, successes, and failures. The band's music plays throughout.

Written by

Tom DiCillo

Directed by

Tom DiCillo

Cast

Johnny Depp, John Densmore, Robby Krieger

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Wolf Films, Strange Pictures

Languages

English

Awards

2 wins & 1 nomination

Trailers
The Doors - "When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors" (HD Theatrical Trailer)
Scores
# of Votes
10,438
Average Rating
7.6 out of 10
Metascore
55
Popularity
NA