Privilege

Director: Peter Watkins
Year Released: 1967
Rating: 1.5

Little-seen critique of the media by proto-documentarian Watkins, who shows how a pop star's management controls him in order to influence his fans. While the idea is timely and troubling - media stars get paid insane money to put their names and faces on various products - Watkins' approach is too hysterical and humorless, as moody rocker Paul Jones shows little star quality to sway the masses and mopes in silence like someone in need of anti-depressants. The point is made early, but the picture doesn't know when to let up.