Give Peace a Chance was the theme at the Sweet Toronto Peace Festival in 1969. It was a one-day festival held 13^th September 1969, at Varsity Stadium on the campus of the University of Toronto and attended by some 20,000 people.

This concert film features classic footage of John Lennon and his newly formed Plastic Ono Band with special guests including Eric Clapton and Bo Diddley. In addition Chuck Berry sings Johnny Be Goode, Jerry Lee Lewis sings Hound Dog and Little Richard sings Lucille. This great documentary is great not only for Lennon or Beatles fans. It is important for rock history. There is also an interview with Yoko Ono conducted in London in 1988 at the opening of the John Lennon Exhibition. In the interview she talks about how she met John Lennon, how they named the Plastic Ono Band and the period leading up to the Sweet Toronto concert.

Seeing Chuck Berry, and Lennon is a joy. Likewise, the video footage is acceptable considering that it was shot in 1969. The movie starts in beautiful sunlight early in the day with Bo Diddley and his wonderful guitar playing, as we see motorcyclists escorting Lennon and Yoko to the gig on largely uncongested freeways.

The first half of 'Sweet Toronto' is top class primarily the single song offerings from Bo Diddley performing Bo Diddley, Hound Dog by Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny B. Goode from Chuck Berry, and Lucille courtesy of Little Richard, is just incredible and while many may have viewed these performers, in retrospect it's clear that each and every one of them was at the height of their musical prowess. The Plastic Ono Band comes on this DVD with 8 tracks beginning with Blue Suede Shoes and Lennon’s rendition of songs like Money, Dizzy Miss Lizzy, before settling into more contemporary fare such as Yer Blues, Cold Turkey, and Give Peace a Chance, offer unchallenging, though solidly rocking versions of these classic compositions.

John takes to the stage with Eric Clapton and Yoko Ono. He is electric. His voice never sounded better, his huge beard flows well. The Yoko songs at the end are strange and eerie, although there have meaning in them. So you have Don’t Worry Kyoto (Mummy’s Only Looking for Her Head in the Snow) and John, John (Let’s Hope for Peace) are historic as well as impressive and highly enjoyable. Although the Plastic Ono Band appear as amateurs in stark contrast to the Diddley/Lewis/Berry/Richard parade, its nevertheless the big names of late 1960's rock, fronted by John Lennon and Eric Clapton. And although the whole concert was hardly even rehearsed together, the performers fell back on standard fare of earlier performances.

While most Beatles and Lennon fans despise Yoko Ono, and blame her for the breakup of the Beatles, she played a big part in the life of Lennon. But as a woman and an artist she is respected by many. She and John Lennon remain one of the greatest couples in rock history. The Plastic Ono Band’s lineup namely Yoko Ono, Klaus Voormann, Alan White and Eric Clapton didn't last long but they made a couple of great records and played some very select dates before John went out fully on a solo career and be just John Lennon. This is a rare look at a man in transition...and a wife finding her footing next to an icon of global proportion.

Directed by: D.A. Pennebaker

Duration: 58 minutes

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira