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IMDbPro

Zappa

  • 20202020
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
16,939
1,243
Frank Zappa in Zappa (2020)
With unfettered access to the Zappa family trust and all archival footage, 'Zappa' explores the private life behind the mammoth musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time.
Play trailer2:03
3 Videos
5 Photos
DocumentaryBiographyHistory
An in-depth look into the life and work of musician Frank Zappa.An in-depth look into the life and work of musician Frank Zappa.An in-depth look into the life and work of musician Frank Zappa.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
16,939
1,243
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Alex Winter
    • Stars
      • Frank Zappa(archive footage)
      • Lonnie Lardner(archive footage)
      • Patrice Zappa(archive footage)
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Alex Winter
    • Stars
      • Frank Zappa(archive footage)
      • Lonnie Lardner(archive footage)
      • Patrice Zappa(archive footage)
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 38User reviews
    • 41Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
    • Awards
      • 5 nominations

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:03
    Official Trailer
    Zappa
    Trailer 2:05
    Zappa
    Zappa
    Trailer 2:03
    Zappa

    Photos

    Frank Zappa in Zappa (2020)
    Frank Zappa in Zappa (2020)
    David Harrington and Bret Curry in Zappa (2020)
    Zappa (2020)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Frank Zappa
    Frank Zappa
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Lonnie Lardner
    Lonnie Lardner
    • Self - Newscaster for Action News
    • (archive footage)
    Patrice Zappa
    • Self - Frank Zappa's Sister
    • (archive footage)
    Carl Zappa
    • Self - Frank Zappa's Brother
    • (archive footage)
    Rose Zappa
    • Self - Frank Zappa's Mother
    • (archive footage)
    Francis Zappa
    • Self - Frank Zappa's Father
    • (archive footage)
    Edgard Varèse
    Edgard Varèse
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Don Van Vliet
    • Self - Captain Beefheart
    • (archive footage)
    Timothy Carey
    Timothy Carey
    • Self - Actor
    • (archive footage)
    • …
    Johnny 'Guitar' Watson
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Pamela Zarubica
    • Self - Zappa's Roommate
    Bunk Gardner
    • Self - Played with Zappa 1966-1969
    Ian Underwood
    • Self - Played with Zappa 1967-1975
    Ruth Underwood
    • Self - Played with Zappa 1967-1976
    Gail Zappa
    • Self - Frank Zappa's Wife
    Euclid James 'Motorhead' Sherwood
    • Self - Baritone Saxophone
    • (archive footage)
    • (as Motorhead Sherwood)
    • …
    Tom Wilson
    • Self - Music Producer
    • (archive footage)
    Ray Collins
    • Self - Vocal
    • (archive footage)
    • Director
      • Alex Winter
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film was not financed by crowdfunding, contrary to popular belief. The Kickstarter campaign was aimed solely at preserving and restoring the contents of the Zappa vault. The film that resulted from that preservation was itself financed by conventional backers.
    • Goofs
      The opening title says, Zappa was invited to Chechoslovakia in 1989 to play with local musicians for the withdrawal of Russian troops, and this was his last recorded guitar performance. In fact, this concert took place on June 24, 1991. His last recorded guitar performance was a week later on June 30, 1991 at Budapest, where he played three songs with Hungarian jazz musicians.
    • Quotes

      Ruth Underwood: It was that type of music that he could produce that was a product of everything that was in him. But you couldn't really categorize it. You couldn't say, Oh yeah, that's rock and roll, 'cause it wasn't.

      Ruth Underwood: It's jazz. No. It really wasn't. It's pop music. No. Not at all. Well, what the hell is it?

      Ruth Underwood: It's Zappa.

    • Connections
      Features The Ernie Kovacs Show (1952)
    • Soundtracks
      Bolero
      Written by Maurice Ravel

    User reviews38

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Absolutely Free
    I was expecting all sorts of over-the-top freaky posturing and interviews for the sake of a buck, which Frank would have despised. Instead it was a decent and accurate synopsis of a man who will forever be shrouded in mystery.

    The impact Frank Zappa had on many generations of slowly aging young persons coming of age, listening to FZ albums and never being the same again, seems to be the point of this documentary.

    I was impressed through the whole thing. The production was never sensationalist. It is a somewhat gripping bio of a man finding his way as an artist. I think they call themselves "influencers" now.
    helpful•21
    2
    • Siebert_Tenseven
    • Dec 6, 2020

    FAQ1

    • How will I be able to watch this?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 27, 2020 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Kickstarter Page
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Заппа
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Trouper Productions
      • Zipper Bros Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $15,502
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,019
      • Nov 29, 2020
    • Gross worldwide
      • $213,633
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 9 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 1.78 : 1

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