Man on the Run

2025

Action / Biography / Documentary / Music

6
IMDb Rating 7.6/10 10 2009 2K

musician archive footage music recording cult music band portrait of an artist music documentary

Plot summary

Paul McCartney forms new band Wings after Beatles breakup. Archival home footage shows his life with Linda, who influenced his music. The film follows Wings from formation through the 1970s, during which McCartney wrote hit songs.

Director

Morgan Neville Photo
Morgan Neville

Top cast

John Lennon Photo
John Lennon as Self
George Harrison Photo
George Harrison as Self
Mick Jagger Photo
Mick Jagger as Self
Yoko Ono Photo
Yoko Ono as Self
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 1080p.WEB
1.04 GB
1280*720
English 2.0
R
Subtitles us   ar   cz   dk   de   gr   es   fi   fr   il   in   hu   id   it   ja   kr   ms   no   nl   pl   pt   ro   sv   th   tr   cn  
23.976 fps
1 hr 55 min
Seeds 73
2.13 GB
1920*1080
English 5.1
R
Subtitles us   ar   cz   dk   de   gr   es   fi   fr   il   in   hu   id   it   ja   kr   ms   no   nl   pl   pt   ro   sv   th   tr   cn  
23.976 fps
1 hr 55 min
Seeds 100
1.93 GB
1920*1080
English 5.1
R
Subtitles us   ar   cz   dk   de   gr   es   fi   fr   il   in   hu   id   it   ja   kr   ms   no   nl   pl   pt   ro   sv   th   tr   cn  
23.976 fps
1 hr 55 min
Seeds 29

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by 7 / 10

A "musical journey" rather than a comprehensive music documentary...

Snappy, jazzy look back at ex-Beatle Paul McCartney's follow-up band Wings is for fans who want to see the vintage clips and to hear snippets of Paul's hits without getting too deep into the facts and figures. Bearing the weight in the press for "ending" The Beatles in April 1970 (John Lennon had actually resigned himself from the group several months prior), Paul released his first solo album the same month--the low-fi, experimental "McCartney", which went to #1 in the US and #2 in the UK--something you won't learn in "Man on the Run", a film which seems determined to hide McCartney's light under an artistic bushel. We're told "McCartney" was "a disappointment" to his fans, and that his next album, 1971's "Ram"--credited to Paul and wife Linda McCartney--was a critical failure (but once again a commercial success, peaking at #2 in the US and #1 in the UK). From there, Paul formed Wings with Linda on keyboards (we're never told if she took lessons) and ex-Moody Blues member Denny Laine on guitar. Writer-director Morgan Neville seems in a big hurry to get to the group's #1 album "Band on the Run" from 1973--he practically earmarks the record as the moment when Wings finally blossomed (never mind that their hit 007 song "Live and Let Die" from 1973 was the first James Bond theme to be nominated for an Oscar, or that the ballad "My Love" from 1973's "Red Rose Speedway" went to #1, as did the album). We're briefly introduced to other short-lived members of Wings, while Paul displays a rebellious/self-destructive side by attempting to bring half a pound of marijuana into Japan for a tour (after expressly being told not to) and being taken into custody for just over a week. The music still sounds fantastic, and the clips are enjoyable (particularly those from a misjudged, revue-styled television special); however, this documentary is in such a disarray from a discography standpoint that anyone hoping for more than simply highlights of Paul McCartney's 1970s work might feel left at the musical altar. **1/2 from ****
Reviewed by 9 / 10

suprised myself by enjoying it

I was not expecting to like this - but once again Paul McCartney surprises. I was always wary of Linda, and at that young age never saw the attraction, but she was the glue that held them together and probably got the worst from all the touring.I liked the exploration with the whole John relationship, but the other Beatles are hardly mentioned even during the Beatles break-up.What happened to Denny Laine after he left? Did he make any other music?Still it followed events and I learnt a few things I did not previously know. Now both Linda and Denny are gone. And John and George of course.And Paul seems to be still going strong.
Reviewed by 7 / 10

An average documentary

6.9 stars.It's not easy making a great documentary, in my opinion. Paul McCartney is so great in and of himself, and his career is unparalleled in the music industry of any person in history. Some might disagree and argue that Elvis or Michael Jackson or Madonna or Sinatra or Billy Joel were bigger. Some would say Bob Dylan or Aretha, Prince, Stevie Wonder, the Beach Boys, Eagles. Nah. Not even close. Just listen to the Beatles for a few weeks, then tell me they weren't the GOATS. If you were to discuss this and assert it must be someone other than the Beatles, I'd subtly shake my head and say, okay, your opinion is your own. Why is Paul the greatest? Well, he was part of the greatest band of all time. Ok, but that was a band of four men, not just one. Ok, but then after his mate John cut the band and ran, Paul had to make it again on his own. And golly, he did it! Was Wings in the top twenty greatest bands ever? Not even close. But he wrote some freaking amazing stuff there, without the help of John, Ringo and George. Something about their chemistry, the Beatles were able to create profoundly superb music at a very high rate. They had quantity and quality. To this day, the world cannot fathom how they were able to do this. What was their secret? I mean, John alone after the Beatles wrote a couple great songs, but it was few and far between. Same with George, who wrote a few really amazing tunes, Beatles-like no doubt. And Paul, well his Wings were the closest thing to remaking the magic of the Beatles, and yet not even close, but still he had the magic in a few of his songs. I am still amazed at the talent. How did they do it?
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