This film chronicles the life and achievement of Woody Guthrie, the most important folk/protest singer of his generation, whose significance today can be measured by the pantheon of artists including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Bono and Willie Nelson who acknowledge their debt to him.

The documentary captures the flavour of Guthrie’s musical achievement in writing and performing songs which eloquently captured the mood of ordinary people. Songs like “This Land is your Land”, “Pastures of Plenty”, “Pretty Boy Floyd” and “Do Re Mi” illuminate a whole era of American history by dealing with the telling issues of the day such as economic depression, homelessness and social and racial justice.

Guthrie’s life and times provide some remarkable ingredients for this compelling documentary. The film takes his classic songs and traces their stories to relevant locations such as Okemah, Oklahoma and Pampa, Texas, where Guthrie spent his early years and New York, where he lived from 1940.

Historical and rare documentary photos and footage are combined with contemporary film of social and economic events. Also included is all the extant footage of Guthrie, playing with the likes of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, rare film of Pete Seeger from the forties and contemporary interviews with his surviving friends and family and musicians whom he influenced. These include his son, Arlo; his daughter, Nora; his sister, Mary Jo; close friends Pete Seeger and Jimmy Longhi; manager Harold Leventhal; biographer Ed Cray; and Guthrie scholars such as Guy Logsdon. Loralee Cooley, Henrietta Yurchenco, Phil Buehler and Jorge Arevelo.

Access to key individuals and archive material has been greatly aided by the support of the Guthrie Foundation, whose contribution is gratefully acknowledged.