Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune

2011 | Biography, Documentary, History, Music

Synopsis

From civil rights to the anti-war movement to the struggles of workers, folksinger Phil Ochs wrote topical songs that engaged his audiences in the issues of the 1960s and 70s. In this biographical documentary, veteran director Kenneth Bowser shows how Phil's music and his fascinating life story and eventual decline into depression and suicide were intertwined with the history-making events that defined a generation. Even as his contemporaries moved into folk-rock and pop music, Phil followed his own vision, challenging himself and his listeners. Not one to pull punches, Ochs never achieved the commercial success he desperately desired. But his music remains relevant, reaching new audiences in a generation that finds his themes all too familiar.

Scores

Overall Score
37.5
Popularity Percentile (Year)
17.6%
Box Office Percentile (Year)
35.7%
Review Aggregate
85.3

Critic Consensus

100.0% Fresh • 32 critic reviews

Critic reception is largely positive, with 100% of 32 logged reviews marked Fresh. Across reviews, critics repeatedly emphasize historical, emotional, tragic. Most critics frame the film as an effective delivery of its core style and intent.

historicalemotionaltragicpoliticalgrittycharacter-driven

Cast

CastYearReported SalaryInflation AdjustedNotes
N/A

Aggregated Reviews

Rotten Tomatoes critic score97.0
RT critic review count33
Rotten Tomatoes audience score78.0
RT audience rating count1,000
IMDb rating7.7
IMDb votes435

Box Office ?

CategoryYearReportedInflation Adjusted
Domestic2011$263,723$367,852
International2011N/AN/A
Worldwide2011$263,723$367,852

Earnings / Profitability

Estimated net revenues and net expenses for films based on reported and estimated numbers. This income statement should be considered most viable for the first 24 months after the inital movie's release (ie after most lucrative pay windows).
CategoryYearReportedInflation Adjusted
Revenues
Theatrical Net Revenue2011$131,862$183,926
Digital Rentals ?2011$1,886,000$2,630,672
Digital Purchases ?2011$606,000$845,274
Physical Rentals ?2011$3,452,000$4,814,995
Physical Purchases ?2011$8,230,000$11,479,551
TV & Streaming Revenue2011$118,675$165,533
Total Revenues2011$14,424,537$20,119,953
Expenses
Budget ?2011$248,000 (est)$345,921 (est)
Print & Advertising (P&A) ?2011$185,000 (est)$258,046 (est)
Participations2011$577,000$804,824
Residuals ?2011$960,000$1,339,049
Interest & Overhead2011$49,600$69,184
Total Expenses2011$2,019,600$2,817,023
Movie Net Profit or Loss2011$12,404,937$17,302,929

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