Watch 50 Years with Peter, Paul and Mary

50 Years with Peter, Paul and Mary is a documentary that takes a look back at the iconic folk group's journey throughout their 50-year career. The film brings together all of their classic songs like "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "If I Had a Hammer," and candid behind the scenes footage, performances and interviews with friends and family.

The film starts with a brief introduction to Peter, Paul and Mary and their legendary journey to becoming one of the most well-known groups in America. The film then delves into the group's beginnings in the Greenwich Village music scene in the early 1960s. The trio, made up of Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers, was heavily influenced by the civil rights movement and anti-war protests. They used their music as a tool to spread their message of peace and love, and in doing so became an integral part of that era's counterculture.

50 Years with Peter, Paul and Mary takes the viewers on a journey through the ups and downs of their career. They had their fair share of controversies, including being banned from performing in some countries due to their political themes. The film does not shy away from showcasing their personal struggles, as well. Mary Travers' battle with leukemia is a prominent subject throughout the film.

The documentary showcases the trio's music as well as their activism. Clips of their various performances and concerts are interspersed throughout the film. It is evident that their music had a profound impact on many of their fans, some of whom are featured in the documentary sharing stories of how Peter, Paul and Mary's music touched their lives.

The documentary also includes interviews with those who knew Peter, Paul and Mary well, including their family members, fans, and fellow musicians. Notably, the film features interviews with Bob Dylan, who was a contemporary of the trio in the Greenwich Village music scene. His anecdotes provide insight into the era and the impact that Peter, Paul and Mary had on the music world.

The film takes a deep dive into the trio's personal lives as well. There are interviews with their children, who share their own unique perspectives on growing up in the shadow of their famous parents. Additionally, the personal relationships between the three are discussed at length. The film explores how they navigated the ups and downs of their friendship and working relationship over the course of five decades.

Throughout the film, viewers are treated to never-before-seen footage of Peter, Paul and Mary in their prime. Though these clips are quite grainy and rough around the edges, they provide a glimpse into the magic that the trio was capable of creating in their performances. The documentary paints a vivid picture of what it must have been like to see them perform live.

In conclusion, 50 Years with Peter, Paul and Mary is a must-watch for folk music enthusiasts and anyone interested in the counterculture movements of the 1960s. The film does an excellent job of capturing the essence of the trio, showcasing their music, activism, and personal relationships with honesty and affection. The documentary is a fitting tribute to Peter, Paul and Mary's legacy and a reminder of the impact they had on the music world and beyond.