Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream poster & wallpaper
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Brittany Murphy, Dave Stewart, Eddie Vedder, George Harrison, Jackson Browne ...( see more  see more... ) , Jeff Lynne , Kevin Costner , Rick Rubin , Ringo Starr , Roger McGuinn , Stevie Nicks , Tom Petty

"Runnin' Down A Dream" tells a great American story, that of a band that came from the middle of nowhere to win the hearts of millions. The film focuses not only on the Heartbreakers' inspiring ride t...( read more  read more... )o the top but the story of what they did when they got there, as artists, as a band, as people. Bogdanovich's film explores many of the underlying reasons for the band's unparalleled capacity not only to endure but to thrive. Gritty, exuberant, infectious: "Runnin' Down A Dream" tells the Heartbreakers' story as never before.

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97% liked it

717 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

5 critics

Unrated, 4 hrs. 15 min.

Directed by: Peter Bogdanovich

Release Date: October 14, 2007

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DVD Release Date: October 28, 2008

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Flixster Reviews (106)

  • madmac17
    December 26, 2008
    madmac17
    I've been a big Tom Petty fan since I heard his debut album back in '76, so I was kind of expecting to love this, and I was not wrong. Of course, I didn't realize that it clocks in at a little under under 4 hours, but it didn't matter. I loved every minute of it, as will anyone w...( read more)ho has loved Petty's music over the years. OK, I admit I started to get a headache at about the three and a half hour mark, but I still couldn't stop watching. I was amazed that there was so much footage available from the early years, including some of Petty as a toddler! And someone in the band was obviously a video freak, as the film seemingly contains footage from every phase of Petty's career, even from his early bands The Epics and Mudcrutch. It's a real kick to see the guys as teenagers cutting up for the cameras, and when the decision is made to drive to Los Angeles to try to get a record deal, there'e even footage of the guys loading up their gear, and heading out in a borrowed station wagon, which promptly breaks down! The dream has to be put on hold for a few days, but after having tasted limited success with Mudcrutch, Petty is on a mission and will not be swayed from it. They eventually arrive in California, and after pounding the pavement knocking on the doors of numerous record labels, they're offered a deal with London Records. But, in the meantime Denny Cordell of Shelter Records hears their demo, calls them and asks if they'll make a detour to Tulsa, Oklahoma to check out his studio and possibly record a few tracks with him producing. Of course, that's what happens and they end up recording the entire first album there. The rest is history, and Runnin' Down a Dream documents the whole crazy trip in unflinching detail. We get interviews with all the band members past and present, of course, but also with Jimmy Iovine, Denny Cordell, Jeff Lynne, Stevie Nicks, George Harrison, Rick Rubin and many others. We also get the inside scoop on Petty's legal battle with Shelter and MCA over control of his publishing rights, the battle over unit pricing that developed around the release of Hard Promises, and the infighting that fractured the band when Petty decided to record with other musicians. It's fascinating stuff, and Petty's wry humour in the interviews makes the film a joy to watch from start to finish. All the great concert footage doesn't hurt either. Director Peter Bogdanovich, obviously a fan, has put the whole thing together lovingly. But this is more than a mere fan's tribute. It's the historical documentation of a brilliant musical career, and one of the most entertaining documentaries I've ever seen. It's a must for all Tom Petty fans not just to see, but to own.
  • senorperfecto1
    December 27, 2007
    senorperfecto1
    Filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich documents one of the most famous American bands of all time. Bogdanovich shows the rise of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from the ashes of Gainesville, Florida to superstardom that takes them to Hollywood, California. The film takes fans on the ultim...( read more)ate backstage pass and gives them access to where no fan has been allowed before. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: Runnin Down A Dream is the ultimate documentary that is obligatory for any Petty fan to watch.
    Runnin Down A Dream is one of the top tier music documentaries ever created. The film has a no holds barred attitude and gives every Tom Petty fan everything they could ever want with over five hours worth of footage. The first two discs of the four disc set, is the movie Runnin? Down A Dream by Peter Bogdanovich. The movie gives you the complete history of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers that really that has never been shown before. The documentary gives more depth, more interviews, and more footage then any other previous installments on the band. The third disc is simply what Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers do best, play live. The third disc is the complete concert of their 30th anniversary concert from their hometown Gainesville, Florida. The fourth disc is a rare treat for fans to salivate after of a disc of unreleased material. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: Runnin Down A Dream gets five guitar picks out of five for giving fans the ultimate Rock N? Roll experience.
  • KLFilmmaker
    March 18, 2009
    KLFilmmaker
    Lengthy, but awesome doc on one of the most underrated bands in the history of rock n' roll. A must see for all music fans.
  • tsigur
    November 18, 2008
    tsigur
    I am a huge Tom Petty fan. So much that I sat in front of my TV for four hours to watch this doc without a break. The performances are the best stuff (having already read the book and knowing most of Petty's history) and some home video footage are what I found most compelling. T...( read more)o think that he worked with all these legends is pretty amazing. Bogdanovich does a good job and their newest performance of Southern Accents gave me chills. You don't have to be a fan to appreciate it, but you do have to be a fan to get through the monotiny of the talking heads documentary.
  • BradySullivan86
    May 7, 2008
    BradySullivan86
    A must watch for any Petty fans. Thorough and impressive.
  • leahlovely05
    March 29, 2008
    leahlovely05
    oh,,it rocks ..awesome..
  • darabutler2011
    January 29, 2008
    darabutler2011
    can't wait to see it I love all johnny cash movies love all his music
  • DYoung3327
    January 11, 2008
    DYoung3327
    HIGH RECOMEND THIS TO ALL TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS FUNS
  • awesomevintagegrl
    November 25, 2007
    awesomevintagegrl
    I LOVE TIS MOOOOVIE!!!!!

View All Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream Reviews

Critic Reviews

October 15, 2007
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

Employs a warm and leisurely, though never sluggish, pace that's upfront about Bogdanovich's intention to take his sweet time tackling every topic of relevant interest. full review

View more Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • Maic0
    December 13, 2007
    Maic0
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ClGD0xBX0 << Part 1.
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