Project Detail

The Byrd Who Flew Alone

Synopsis

Bob Dylan described Gene Clark as one of the three best songwriters in the world. He was the original front man for one of the most iconic and influential bands of the 60s. After his abrupt departure from The Byrds, at the peak of their popularity, he made records that are still regarded as classics. He was one of the great pioneers of both folk rock and country rock. His songs have been covered by artists ranging from Tom Petty to Robert Plant. Yet, so far as the public is concerned, Gene Clark is largely unknown.
This documentary explores the mystery of why this richly talented but deeply enigmatic and often self-destructive man failed to enjoy the success his work deserved. Drawing on interviews with his family, friends and fellow musicians, a wealth of great music from the four decade span of his career and previously unseen archive material, it’s a story that’s both compelling and moving, veering between moments of magic and moments of madness.
The film was made by a father and sons team as a labour of love which took them right across America, in search of the people and places that were part of Gene Clark’s life.

Visit Film Website

Details

Year: 2013
Type of film: Features
Running time: 110 mins
Director: Jack Kendall, Paul Kendall 1st Feature
Producer: Paul Kendall
Editor: Jack Kendall
Screenwriter: Paul Kendall
Director of Photography: Dan Kendall

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

Four Suns Productions

11 Rectory Road
Rickmansworth
Herts
WD3 1FH

kendall_paul@hotmail.com

Page updates

This page was last updated on 12th May 2025. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.

Suggest amendments

A landmark feature documentary about astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot and command the Space Shuttle. Eileen’s incredible journey starts with her smalltown beginnings, sees her smash through many glass ceilings, and culminates in four dramatic space shuttle missions, the last being possibly the most dangerous and most important of them all. At its heart the film is the moving human drama of one family, where a mother’s extraordinary career takes us straight to the big philosophical question of what is the level of acceptable risk in human endeavour? This film celebrates Commander Collins’ trailblazing NASA career which opened the way for women to become spacecraft pilots and commanders, and proved a perfect riposte to a previous generation of male astronauts who thought there was no place for women to lead the way in space. Official Selection DOC NYC 2024 - World premiere Official Selection CPH:DOX 2025 - European premiere

Woman Director

The Disco, a Portrait of Simon Eilbeck

Director: Alex Hetherington

Year: 2025

A 16mm sound and image experimental portrait of d/Deaf DJ Simon Eilbeck and the Queer, Trans, alternative and non-binary communities who gather at his monthly disco Hot Mess.

Experimental LGBTQIA+

Fighting Demons

Director: Simon Stock

Year: 2025

Fighting Demons is an unflinching portrait of four bare-knuckle fighters, including a devoted father fighting for his family’s future while haunted by his past. Set between the chaos of the cage and the quiet of home, it explores masculinity, survival, and the cost of breaking the cycle you were born into.

Disabilities Sport