Review by Marty Mapes

There is no film footage from Johnny Cash's milestone live recording at Folsom Prison, so anyone making a documentary called "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison" is in for a real challenge.

Writer Michael Streissguth and Director Bestor Cram make as good an attempt as possible. At the same time they happen to reveal why, without primary footage, "as good as possible" isn't perfect.

Writer Michael Streissguth tells a comprehensive story about the album Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison. He gives a bit of background on Cash himself, on the appeal of performing for prisoners, and on the decision to record at Folsom. He analyzes the set list and takes a tangent to introduce the songwriter of one of the songs, Glen Sherley, who was incarcerated at Folsom at the time. He follows Cash and Sherley beyond the recording and on toward their deaths.

Crams uses newly created animations from four different animators to make music videos. One of the styles looks hand-animated. One of the neater styles uses computer cutouts of vintage photographs to give them the illusion of depth and motion.

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