Message to Love is a feature documentary film of the Isle of Wight Festival 1970. Directed and produced by Murray Lerner, the film includes performances by popular rock acts, such as Jimi Hendrix, the Who, and the Doors, as well as folk and jazz artists, such as Joni Mitchell and Miles Davis. The title of the film is taken from a song by Hendrix. Due to financial difficulties, Message to Love was not released until 1995, in the UK and 1997, in the USA, after premiering at a San Jose film festival in 1995. A soundtrack album was also issued by Castle Communications/Sony Legacy in 1997. Background The film often comically depicts the myriad problems associated with the chaotic festivalthe main program of which was held on 26–30 August 1970including gate-crashing, numerous crowd incursions onto the stage, Kris Kristofferson being booed offstage, and head promoter Rikki Farr's rants against the audience, which only intensified as the situation deteriorated: "We put this festival on, you bastards, with a lot of love! We worked for one year for you pigs! And you wanna break our walls down and you wanna destroy it? Well you go to hell!" In addition, several near-riots occurred over the price of tickets, as well as during several of the performances that took place over the weekend, especially Jimi Hendrix's last billed performance in England. Production The filming used eight cameras, and took 175 hours of 16mm and 35mm Ektachrome footage, which was later edited down to approx 78 minutes of music and 41 minutes of interviews and announcements. All of the headliners were captured, only Sly Stone and Chicago refused permission to be filmed. Release The 1996 version of the film was given a certificate of 15, with the 1999 extended edition being rated 18 for nudity. BBC2 premiered the film for the 25th anniversary of the festival. The VHS was released a month later by Castle. The Region 1 DVD was released in 1997, with the Region 2 DVD being released in 2003 by Castle. Performances in order of appearance in the film Jimi Hendrix: "Message to Love" (Sunday) † The Who: "Young Man Blues" (Saturday) Free: "All Right Now" (Sunday) Taste: "Sinner Boy" (Friday) Tiny Tim: "There'll Always Be an England" (Saturday) John Sebastian: "Red Eye Express" (Saturday) Donovan: "Catch the Wind" (Sunday) snippet Ten Years After: "I Can't Keep from Crying Sometimes" (Saturday) The