David Bowie, the legendary rock icon, has always been a figure of intrigue and admiration. His final five years, marked by an extraordinary burst of creativity and output, are the focus of the documentary David Bowie: The Last Five Years. The documentary offers a rare insight into Bowie’s life and his creative process during this period. It primarily revolves around Bowie’s last two albums, The Next Day (2013) and Blackstar (2016), and his Broadway musical “Lazarus”. These works, produced in the twilight of his career, are a testament to Bowie’s relentless pursuit of artistic innovation.
Here’s how you can watch and stream David Bowie: The Last Five Years via streaming services such as HBO Max.
Is David Bowie: The Last Five Years available to watch via streaming?
Yes, David Bowie: The Last Five Years is available to watch via streaming on HBO Max.
The documentary begins with The Reality Tour, Bowie’s last series of public performances, which was abruptly ended by a health crisis. After a period of silence, he resurfaced in 2011 to record in secret, surprising even his closest friends. This period of intense creativity resulted in the production of The Next Day and Blackstar, albums that pushed the boundaries of music and left a lasting impact on the industry.
It is not just a chronicle of Bowie’s work; it is also a reflection of his enigmatic personality. Despite the wealth of information and insights offered, the film underscores Bowie’s mysteriousness, suggesting that he remained essentially unknowable. The documentary doesn’t so much draw a picture of David Bowie as trace his outline, leaving a strong impression of Bowie as an artist, but also highlighting the enigmatic nature of his persona.
David Bowie: The Last Five Years is a fitting tribute to a man who was not just a musician, but a cultural icon. It is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the man behind the music and the legacy he left behind.
Directed by Francis Whately, the documentary includes appearances from several individuals who were integral to Bowie’s life and work during his final years. This includes Tony Visconti, Bowie’s long-term producer, Gail Ann Dorsey, his bassist, and Tony Basil, a choreographer. Michael C Hall, who starred in the musical Lazarus, and Donny McCaslin, a jazz musician who contributed to Blackstar, also feature in the documentary. Additionally, the film includes insights from every key member of the bands for The Next Day and Blackstar, as well as those who worked with Bowie on Lazarus. Geoff MacCormac, a close friend of Bowie’s from school, also shares his experiences.
Watch David Bowie: The Last Five Years streaming via HBO Max
David Bowie: The Last Five Years is available to watch on HBO Max.
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David Bowie: The Last Five Years synopsis is as follows:
“In the last five years of his life, David Bowie ended nearly a decade of silence to engage in an extraordinary burst of activity, producing two groundbreaking albums and a musical. David Bowie: The Last Five Years explores this unexpected end to a remarkable career. Made with remarkable access, Francis Whately’s documentary is a revelatory follow-up to his acclaimed 2013 documentary David Bowie: Five Years, which chronicled Bowie’s golden ‘70s and early-‘80s period.”
NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing.
