Updated 4/25/2024

2015 Lynyrd Skynyrd Documentary

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In 2015 a new Lynyrd Skynyrd Documentary was released. Gone With The Wind: The Remarkable Rise And Tragic Fall Of Lynyrd Skynyrd is an extremely in-depth look at the history and inside stories of the band.

At almost 2 hours and 45 minutes long, it is a truly detailed dive into all aspects of how the band evolved from the beginning. But it’s not just a rehash of all the typical stories that have made the rounds over the decades.

There are interviews with all of the majors figures that had anything to do with the band from back in the day. Including opinions and commentary from prominent historians and authors. So there is some competent commentary as well as just memory recollections.

It also includes some great vintage footage.

“Ronnie Van Zant was a great songwriter. He was a terrific lyricist…  They put our six albums, 80 to 90% of those songs are absolutely top-grade. It’s amazing!” – (from the film)  Robert Christgau, The Village Voice

Gone With The Wind – Lynyrd Skynyrd Documentary

Best Lynyrd Skynyrd Documentary

It’s hard to say if this is “the best” documentary about Lynyrd Skynyrd. It’s certainly one of the most in-depth and lengthy. I prefer the well-researched and produced documentary tup movies like this as opposed to the re-enactments. Those often to come mostly from one persons memories and point of view. And they often tend to take a little too much artistic license.

This film is written and directed by Tom O’Dell. He is a writer, director, editor, and producer from the UK. He has several significant films under his belt including “Manson: Music From An Unsound Mind.” That sounds like it would be pretty interesting too. O’Dell also Directed a documentary film about the formative years of blues guitar great, Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Back in 2014 when this film was being shot and produce, some of the band members were still with us that have since passed away. namely, Bob Burns and Ed King.

What would have made it even better would have been some insight from Tom Dowd. But unfortunately, he passed away in 2002. Dowd had an enourmous influence on the music business. It’s well worth the time to watch his documentary his documentary: The Language Of Music.