Dying to Know: Ram Dass and Timothy Leary Blu-ray Movie

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Dying to Know: Ram Dass and Timothy Leary Blu-ray Movie United States

Kino Lorber | 2014 | 95 min | Not rated | Jun 27, 2017

Dying to Know: Ram Dass and Timothy Leary (Blu-ray Movie)

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Movie rating

6.4
 / 10

Blu-ray rating

Users0.0 of 50.0
Reviewer4.0 of 54.0
Overall4.0 of 54.0

Overview

Dying to Know: Ram Dass and Timothy Leary (2014)

Dying to Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary is an intimate portrait celebrating two very complex, controversial characters in an epic friendship that shaped a generation. In the early 1960’s, Harvard Psychology Professors Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert began probing the edges of consciousness through their experiments with psychedelics. Dr. Leary became the LSD guru, challenging convention, questioning authority, and spawned a global counter culture movement, landing in prison after Nixon called him, “the most dangerous man in America.” Dr. Alpert journeyed to India becoming Ram Dass, a spiritual teacher for an entire generation who still continues his teaching of service through compassion. With footage spanning 80 years the film invites us to ponder questions about life, drugs, consciousness and the biggest mystery in the human landscape: death.

Starring: Ram Dass, Timothy Leary, Andrew Weil

Documentary100%

Specifications

  • Video

    Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
    Video resolution: 1080p
    Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
    Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

  • Audio

    English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0

  • Subtitles

    English SDH

  • Discs

    Blu-ray Disc
    Single disc (1 BD)

  • Playback

    Region A (B, C untested)

Review

Rating summary

Movie3.5 of 53.5
Video4.0 of 54.0
Audio4.0 of 54.0
Extras2.5 of 52.5
Overall4.0 of 54.0

Dying to Know: Ram Dass and Timothy Leary Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 4, 2017

Director Gay Dillingham wants to accomplish a few goals with the documentary “Dying to Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary.” Part of the picture delivers a biography of its subjects, tracking their life experiences, especially the ones that helped to shape their future as gurus of sort, with both men taking command of the psychedelics movement of the 1960s, finding Leary’s more radical vision for brain-altering odysseys matching well with Dass’s spiritual hug. “Dying to Know” also explores the mystery of death, asking fascinating questions about the journey to the other side, with both men seeking out ways to comfort those who refuse to embrace the finality of life.


“Dying to Know” can be an uneven viewing experience, though narration by Robert Redford helps provide balance, adding a touch of regality to Dillingham’s low-budget craftsmanship. While tangents are numerous and the balance between information and celebration is awkward at times, the core messages of “Dying to Know” are present, discussing important topics such as mortality and human capacity with two men who know a thing or two about the bending of reality. Footage is provided of the pair, witnessing their camaraderie throughout the years, showcasing playfulness and mutual respect. And there’s also private time, walking through the years as Dass and Leary developed as individuals and friends.


Dying to Know: Ram Dass and Timothy Leary Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality  4.0 of 5

An HD-shot documentary using a wide range of film and video sources to fill out biographical information, the AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Dying to Know" is comfortably consistent, handling varying levels of resolution gracefully. Interview footage with associates of Dass and Leary fare the best, coming through with ideal sharpness, clarifying facial surfaces and background decoration. Textures on clothing are also appealing. Colors are bright and appealing, best served with psychedelic graphics, giving the viewing experience a rainbow swirl of imagery. Skintones are natural. Delineation is secure. Compression issues are common, with banding appearing periodically.


Dying to Know: Ram Dass and Timothy Leary Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality  4.0 of 5

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't adventurous, maintaining a low profile with interview audio, bringing out all kinds of voices with clarity, never missing a syllable of wisdom or remembrance. Scoring is supportive but never insistent, remaining detectable but forgettable. Room audio is preserved, visiting some echoed environments.


Dying to Know: Ram Dass and Timothy Leary Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras  2.5 of 5

  • Additional Interviews include Andrew Weil (18:00, HD), Joanna Harcourt-Smith (32:20, HD), Lama Tsultrim Allione (12:51, HD), Ram Dass (8:32, SD), Roshi Joan Halifax (16:23, HD), and Zach Leary (18:06, HD).
  • And a Theatrical Trailer (2:11, HD) is included.


Dying to Know: Ram Dass and Timothy Leary Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation  4.0 of 5

There's plenty to learn about Ram Dass and Timothy Leary in "Dying to Know." Dillingham captures the essence of these men and their quest for the untouchable, with the second half of the documentary charting the subjects and their own battle with death. It's a compelling sit but certainly a film in need of refinement, struggling to bridge the divide between life experiences and the ultimate trip.