In 1975, an eclectic mix of artists hit the road on a wild, unconventional tour across America with Bob Dylan. Among them were iconic figures like folk legend Joni Mitchell, Roger McGuinn of The Byrds, and Beat poet Allen Ginsberg.
Yet, it was Joan Baez — Dylan’s former partner in both music and life — who left the deepest mark. Their complicated, heartfelt bond is tenderly portrayed in Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese, premiering on Netflix this Wednesday.
Blending documentary and concert film, Rolling Thunder Revue offers an intimate look at Dylan’s mythical 1975 tour, skillfully pieced together from 120 hours of newly restored, never-before-seen footage. The film also features fresh interviews with Dylan and Baez, both now 78, where they open up about their enduring connection.
“We could harmonize on anything. Sometimes, even lying in bed, I’d hear her voice,” Dylan reflects in his first on-camera interview in over a decade. “Joan’s bravery is otherworldly — she’s like someone who just fell from a star.”
Baez, equally effusive, says, “The charisma he carries is unmatched — I’ve never seen anything like it before or since.”
Their story began in 1961 amidst New York’s vibrant folk revival, where they met and soon became both musical allies and romantic partners. They spent the early ’60s touring and inspiring each other to channel their activism through protest songs, before parting ways around 1965 — a breakup immortalized in D. A. Pennebaker’s 1967 documentary Don’t Look Back.
Despite their romantic split, Dylan and Baez remained close, frequently reuniting onstage for duets like “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “The Water is Wide,” and “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine” — all featured in Rolling Thunder Revue.
“The film really captures the depth of their bond, forged during such formative years,” says producer Margaret Bodde. “When you create friendships that deep, they tend to last a lifetime. For fans, it’s a rare, beautiful window into their relationship.”
Beyond the performances, the documentary reveals candid, often playful backstage moments between the two. In one touching scene, Baez confides about marrying journalist David Harris, whom she later divorced in 1973. Another highlight features Baez humorously impersonating Dylan — donning his signature white face paint and floral hat, fooling even the crew.
“She literally became Bob for a moment,” Bodde notes. “It speaks volumes about their relationship and touches on the film’s broader themes — the blurred lines between identity, performance, and reality, which Scorsese so brilliantly explores.”
