The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack

Released 2000
Directed by Aiyana Elliott

Ramblin' Jack Elliott is beloved by those who know him and his work, but because of disputes with record companies, breakups with managers and his ramblin' ways, not many people do. His importance to the larger music world is as the link between Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. He was Guthrie's protege, was at his bedside during his illness, sang his songs in the Village during the early folk revival, and was imitated by Dylan right down to the harmonica in the neck brace. Arlo Guthrie, who may have a bone to pick, says: "There wouldn't be no Bob Dylan without Ramblin' Jack Elliott."

"The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack" is a documentary made by his daughter, Aiyana, who is 30ish and observes, "I can't remember ever having an actual conversation with my dad." Making the film was perhaps a way to get to know him better, but it doesn't work that way. It was no fun "having the world's greatest rambler as your dad." Her documentary is an effort to pin down Elliott, but he is unpinnable, and her specific questions get answers that drift off into free association. Some parents are elusive, and some children are never going to get closure, and "The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack" hovers intriguingly between homage and revenge.

Summary by Roger Ebert

This is one interesting film, and Jack Elliott is quite an interesting character. There's a lot of good footage of Jack performing in the 1960's through 1999, and there's also a lot of excellent background about Jack and how he influenced the music scene in the 60's. All of that is great, but the heart of this film is his daughter trying to connect with her distant father. We all want our parents' attention and approval, and Aiyana Elliott found herself in a unique position. She's a beginning filmmaker with a famous father--why not make a documentary? Such a personal film could be lost on the general public, but not this one. The poignancy of Aiyana's quest to understand and connect with her dad is what makes it great.

It doesn't take any skill to father children, but it takes a lot of effort to be a father. Jack Elliott was never intended to be a father. He's a free spirit that constantly rambles, both verbally and phsyically, and he was never capable of giving the effort. It's just not part of his makeup. He is who he is, and I'm hoping this film helped Aiyana come to grips with that. It wasn't her fault he wasn't a good dad. Jack just didn't have it in him. --Bill Alward, August 9, 2001