We all know the story. In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono held 1969 bed-ins for peace in Amsterdam and Montreal. These bed-ins were captured on film in a documentary, "Bed Peace," directed by Lennon and Ono themselves and filmed by Nic Knowland. Previously, it was only available on VHS, but Ono released the 70-minute film on YouTube for 48 hours, starting on Aug. 12, to provide inspiration for the activists of today. Given the fan reaction, however, Ono generously extended its time online to midnight on Aug. 21.
Yoko posted this message on her website to accompany the film's online release:
Dear Friends,
In 1969, John and I were so naïve to think that doing the Bed-In would help change the world.
Well, it might have. But at the time, we didn’t know.
It was good that we filmed it, though.
The film is powerful now.
What we said then could have been said now.
In fact, there are things that we said then in the film, which may give some encouragement and inspiration to the activists of today. Good luck to us all.
Let’s remember WAR IS OVER if we want it.
It’s up to us, and nobody else.
John would have wanted to say that.
Love, yoko
According to Ono's site, the film features:
John & Yoko in conversation with, amongst others, The World Press, satirist Al Capp, activist Dick Gregory, comedian Tommy Smothers, protesters at Berkeley’s People’s Park, Rabbi Abraham L. Feinberg, quiltmaker Christine Kemp, psychologists Timothy Leary & Rosemary Leary, CFOX DJs Charles P. Rodney Chandler & Roger Scott, producer André Perry, journalist Ritchie Yorke, DJ & Promoter Murray The K, filmmaker Jonas Mekas, publicist Derek Taylor & personal assistant Anthony Fawcett.
In one scene, the peaceful duo sits in bed, surrounded by reporters.
"One of the things that interested me was the method you've chosen," one reporter noted. "You feel that being in bed compels more attention than sitting in chairs?"
"Yes, and it makes it easier for us cause we talk for 10 hours a day and it's functional for us to be lying down," Lennon said.
"Being in bed is one thing, but you could go further, you could shower together," the reporter struck back.
"We just did it!" Lennon replied. "Actually I did it alone," he admitted.
WATCH it here: