
Howl(2010)
“The Obscenity Trial That Started a Revolution. The Poem That Rocked a Generation.”
Overview
It's San Francisco in 1957, and an American masterpiece is put on trial. Howl, the film, recounts this dark moment using three interwoven threads: the tumultuous life events that led a young Allen Ginsberg to find his true voice as an artist, society's reaction (the obscenity trial), and mind-expanding animation that echoes the startling originality of the poem itself. All three coalesce in a genre-bending hybrid that brilliantly captures a pivotal moment-the birth of a counterculture.
Director
Jeffrey Friedman
Studio
Rabbit Bandini Productions
Budget
$5M
Revenue
$1M
Cast

James Franco
as Allen Ginsberg
Todd Rotondi
as Jack Kerouac

Jon Prescott
as Neal Cassady

Aaron Tveit
as Peter Orlovsky

David Strathairn
as Ralph McIntosh

Jon Hamm
as Jake Ehrlich

Andrew Rogers
as Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Bob Balaban
as Judge Clayton Horn

Mary-Louise Parker
as Gail Potter

Treat Williams
as Mark Schorer

Jeff Daniels
as Professor David Kirk

Alessandro Nivola
as Luther Nichols
Where to Watch
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Movie Facts
Release Year
2010
Runtime
1h 24m
Language
English
Rating
6.4 / 10
Budget
$5M
Box Office
$1M
Production Companies
Rabbit Bandini Productions • Werc Werk Works • Oscilloscope
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Howl?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for Howl (2010).
What is Howl about?▼
It's San Francisco in 1957, and an American masterpiece is put on trial. Howl, the film, recounts this dark moment using three interwoven threads: the tumultuous life events that led a young Allen Ginsberg to find his true voice as an artist, society's reaction (the obscenity trial), and mind-expanding animation that echoes the startling originality of the poem itself. All three coalesce in a genre-bending hybrid that brilliantly captures a pivotal moment-the birth of a counterculture.
Who directed Howl?▼
Howl was directed by Jeffrey Friedman and released in 2010. It is a drama film.
How long is Howl?▼
Howl has a runtime of 1 hours and 24 minutes (84 minutes total).
Who stars in Howl?▼
The cast of Howl includes James Franco as Allen Ginsberg, Todd Rotondi as Jack Kerouac, Jon Prescott as Neal Cassady, Aaron Tveit as Peter Orlovsky, David Strathairn as Ralph McIntosh and more.
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