The Beat (1997)

Film details

Featuring

Michael Ontkean David Halberstam
Countries

Canada Japan USA
Year

1997
Type

Television

Alternative titles

America in the Fifties 5: Beat Alternative

Synopsis

The fifth volume of a television history of America in the 1950s. Concentrates on the Beat Generation of writers and artists and the rise of rock 'n' roll, which helped to forge the youth culture of the 1960s. Focuses on Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and Neal Cassady, jazz musicians Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk, the rise of country and western music, and the advent of Elvis Presley. The country's underlying racist disregard for civil rights which was about to receive an international airing is also signalled.

Cast & Credits

Cast
- - narrator
    
    Michael Ontkean
  - interviewee
    
    David Halberstam
Credits
- Unknown:
  - Director
    
    Alex Gibney
  - Series Director
    
    Tracy Dahlby
  - Series Director
    
    Alex Gibney
  - a production of The
    
    Fifties Inc.
  - Produced with the participation of
    
    Téléfilm Canada
  - Produced with the participation of
    
    Canal D
  - Produced in association with
    
    CTV Television Network
  - Produced in association with
    
    Alliance Equicap Corporation
  - With the participation of
    
    Inc PHE
  - With the participation of
    
    C.S. Associates
  - With the participation of
    
    Bungei-Shunju Co.
  - Executive Producer
    
    W. Paterson Ferns
  - Executive Producer
    
    Richard Heus
  - Producer
    
    Nancy Button
  - Associate Producer
    
    Marianne Kushmaniuk
  - Written by
    
    Alex Gibney
  - Director of Photography
    
    Michael Ellis
  - Director of Photography
    
    Michael Boland
  - Editor
    
    Steve Weslak
  - Original Music
    
    George Blondheim
  - Sound
    
    Alison Clark