Before Coachella and before Woodstock, there was Newport.
From 1963 to 1966, the Newport Folk Festival was more than just a stage. It was a cultural crossroads where music, protest, and community collided. In “Newport & the Great Folk Dream,” filmmakers Robert Gordon and Joe Lauro have crafted an extraordinary time capsule that’s drawn entirely from rare and never-before-seen archival footage. The result is a must-see for anyone who loves music, history, or the enduring power of art to inspire change.
The film is less a conventional documentary than a pure immersion into the Festival. Rather than leaning on narration or outside commentary, Gordon and Lauro let the performances speak for themselves. The roster of artists is staggering: Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Mississippi John Hurt, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Bessie Jones, Howlin’ Wolf, and so many more. Seeing these legends in their prime and in intimate detail is nothing short of electrifying.
Although musical performances are highlighted, the film captures the social movement behind the music. Freedom songs mingled with work songs, elders shared their traditions with younger artists, and audiences discovered bonds across race, class, and geography. The footage conveys a spirit of inclusiveness and urgency that feels astonishingly relevant today, especially as the United States continues to wrestle with many of the same social and political struggles.
The film builds toward Dylan’s infamous “electric” set in 1965, but the real revelation is how quickly and dramatically the culture was shifting in those few short years. You feel the momentum of history in real time through the passing of torches, the clashes between tradition and innovation, and the way a festival became a crucible for national change.
It’s also simply a thrilling musical experience. The breathtaking performances are raw, soulful, and unfiltered. Even if you are unfamiliar with these artists and their songs, you’ll leave with goosebumps (and quite possibly a new favorite musician from half a century ago).
“Newport & the Great Folk Dream” beautifully honors not just the artists who changed the face of American music, but the idea of folk music itself. This is a film that reminds the world how songs can carry freedom, struggle, and hope across generations.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 