Henry John Deutchendorf started his career in music as a guitar-strumming folkie who got his first big break as a member of the Chad Mitchell Trio in the early 1960s; with the dawn of the 1970s, as John Denver he became one of the biggest and most... more
Henry John Deutchendorf started his career in music as a guitar-strumming folkie who got his first big break as a member of the Chad Mitchell Trio in the early 1960s; with the dawn of the 1970s, as John Denver he became one of the biggest and most recognizable figures in popular music, and this made-for-TV drama examines his life and career both on and off-stage. Born the son of an Air Force pilot (Gerald McRaney), John Denver (Chad Lowe) sought the approval of his father, who didn't think much of his son's desire to become a musician. But once Denver heard his calling, he hit the road, first with the Chad Mitchell Trio and later as a solo act. Along the way, Denver met Annie (Kristin Davis), whom he would later marry and who would inspire one of his best-known songs. After several years of struggle (buoyed by Peter, Paul, and Mary's hit recording of his song "Leavin' On a Jet Plane"), Denver finally found commercial success with the song &"Take Me Home, Country Roads" in 1972. But Denver's new success did not win him the love of his father, and his busy touring schedule took a toll on his marriage; when Denver's career fell into a slump in the '80s, he found himself alone without a wife, and began developing a serious problem with depression and alcohol. Based on John Denver's autobiography, Take Me Home: The John Denver Story features 15 of his original recordings on the soundtrack; originally produced for CBS, the film was first aired April 30, 2000. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide less
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