Shot over a two-year period beginning in 1972, Les Blank’s A Poem is a Naked Person, a documentary on musician Leon Russell, has had an interesting history. Creative differences led to a falling out between Blank and Russell, which led a problem clearing the music rights for the numerous songs in the film. A Poem is a Naked Person sat on the shelf for more than forty years, as Les Blank’s son Harrod tried for years to clear the rights. In 2015, finally had its theatrical premiere, and just recently, the film has been released on Blu-ray by the Criterion Collection.

A star on the rise in the early seventies, Leon Russell hired Les Blank to follow him as he spent time in his recording studio, near Tulsa, played concerts in New Orleans, and recording sessions in Nashville. But alas, as the title might suggest, this is anything but a typical documentary. If you expect to learn a lot about Russell, his childhood, or any real biographical information, expect to be disappointed. As was Les Blank’s style, if something catches his eye, he lets his camera watch it unfold. I may seem odd, but it’s possible to watch this entire film, and come away feeling as though Russell’s musical significance has been inadequately explored. Blank offers very little in the way of actual words from Russell. He’s far more interested in his surroundings—a couple drifting down a river boasting that “we’re just pleasure seekers,” a child performing Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World.”—it’s all slightly odd, but then again, this is Les Blank, so not so much.

Blank mixes in ‘interesting’ footage of Russell’s unconventional Oklahoma surroundings with an impressive amount of concert footage. Edited together, Blank manages to paint a surprisingly intimate look at Russell’s world. In a sense, being exposed to the artist’s environment gives us a better sense of the people around him, and the influences on his craft. It’s an interesting technique that works quite well in A Poem is a Naked Person, though I did find myself longing for a few more direct thoughts from Leon Russell. Oh, and I could have done without the scene showing a snake eating a live chick. It’s wholly unpleasant, but thankfully goes by quickly.

Fans of Leon Russell’s music should find much to enjoy here. There’s a decent amount of live music and studio sessions. There’s also a scene where Russell plays a wedding musician, playing piano during a very strange ceremony.

For fans of Les Blank’s films, it’s great to finally have this largely unseen work available to the masses.

Framed in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Criterion has provided the fine transfer you would expect. Given a recent 2K restoration from the original film elements, colors pop throughout, illuminating the stage during Russell’s live performances. Image clarity is amazing. Despite having been filmed more than forty years ago, outdoor images consistently reveal a high level of detail. Black levels are deep, and consistent. The only issue is some print damage—a light vertical line here and there—otherwise, this is a stellar transfer.

The film’s LPCM 1.0 mono track does a fine job given the limitations of the source recording. There’s no real hiss or distortion to be found during performances, and dialogue is clear. Just don’t expect the kind of separation, and bass you would get from a modern track.

English SDH subtitles are included.

The following extras are available:

  • Conversation Between Leon Russell and Harrod Blank (HD: 26:40) Recorded in 2015 for Criterion, Russell discusses his creative differences with Les Blank, while Harrod acknowledges his father could be challenging. Harrod also discusses how difficult it was to clear the music licensing for the film’s national release.
  • Excerpts from a 2013 Q&A with Les Blank (HD, 8:40) Shortly before his death (Blank was dying of cancer) the director discusses the need to change his plans for the film on the fly. It was only after starting he realized Leon Russell wasn’t a fan of being interviewed.
  • A Film’s Forty-Year Journey: The Making of A Poem is a Naked Person (HD, 36:46) Filmed for Criterion, this documentary features interviews with Harrod Blank, assistant editor and sound recordist Maureen Gosling, and artist Jim Franklin who discuss their experiences working on the film.
  • Out in the Woods (HD, 12:59) This short documentary by Maureen Gosling consists of Super-8 footage she shot during the two years spent shooting “A Poem” combined with text from letters she wrote to her parents.
  • Trailers (HD) a Theatrical (1:41), an Extended (2:56) and an Alternate Unused (2:01).
  • Booklet: An essay by critic Kent Jones.