Joe CockerJoe Cocker

"Mad Dogs and Englishmen" is a celebration of Joe Cocker's magical mystery tour of the United States in 1970. Faced with a booked tour and no band, a group of friends came to his aid, forming an entourage of 42 musicians, singers, wives, girl friends, children and dogs, who set out to create the world's first flying commune. The film follows Cocker and company through airports, bus terminals, motel pools, hotel kitchens, and a picnic, but the point of the film is the music, and the musical scenes offer some of the best filmed rock music since "Woodstock." Along with the behind-the-scenes aspect, director Pierre Adidge has an instinctive feel for the Cocker personality, onstage and off, and when the band finishes an exceptional take, the joy they feel is visible.