MC5: A True Testimonial

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MC5: A True Testimonial is a 2002 American documentary about the Detroit rock band MC5. It was directed by David C. Thomas and produced by Laurel Legler. The film runs 119 minutes and is in English. The creators spent more than seven years making it, gathering photos and film clips, including government surveillance footage from MC5’s 1968 protest outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. They also interviewed surviving band members and people close to the group, and Thomas synced the audio with the silent footage in editing.

The film premiered on August 22, 2002, at the Chicago Underground Film Festival and had its international premiere on September 11 at the Toronto International Film Festival. It received an Honorable Mention at Raindance and was shown at festivals around the world in 2003–2004. Critics praised it, with The New York Times calling it riveting, The Boston Globe saying it was the kind of rock documentary that usually isn’t, and The Washington Post naming it one of the best movies of the summer. Wayne Kramer, the MC5 guitarist, called it a wonderful film, and John Sinclair, the band’s former manager, said Thomas did a fine job. In 2007, Time Out London ranked it No. 48 on its list of the 50 Greatest Music Films Ever.

In April 2004, Wayne Kramer sued Legler and Thomas, claiming he was promised the role of music producer; the filmmakers denied it. The dispute halted distribution and canceled a planned May DVD release. In March 2007, the court ruled in favor of Legler and Thomas, a decision later upheld on appeal. The film has not been released on DVD. In 2011 the filmmakers started a Kickstarter to fund a theatrical and DVD release, but the goal of $27,000 was not reached.