The Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart

With the help of archival footage and interviews with three Captain Beefheart key sidemen, this movie traces the roots of the musical genius of Don Van Vliet and the adventures of his groundbreaking 1969 double album Trout Mask Replica. This biographical documentary presents an insightful look at the Captain's musical development, his poetic lyrics, innovative musical arrangements, and unique vocal delivery. Through interviews with sidemen John French, Bill Harkleroad and Rockette Morton, we gain a deeper understanding of Captain Beefheart's creative process and the challenges he faced in bringing his avant-garde music to the public. The movie features live concert performances, rare archival footage, and insightful commentary, all woven together to create a comprehensive overview of the artist's prolific artistic journey.