The Mind-Benders

This is a government funded anti-drug film from 1970. It's very far out - undulating, soft-focus shots, sitar music, psychedelic mayhem. I'd bet the people who made it were experimenting with drugs while making it.The testimonials around 3:00 aren't even scary. They'd probably make kids more curious...it does get a little scarier a few minutes later when the narrator starts talking about panic and insanity, or the guy who discusses how he was in bed with a girl when all of the sudden she turned into a monster. Does the government still make things like this? I can't imagine they do, but then again, where is all that money going if not for educational film strips? Oh yeah, missiles...

A Day in the Death of Donny B

I stumbled across this while searching the new public domain channel available via Roku. It might be hard to believe but the government paid for this film to be made in 1969. For an anti-drug film, it's surprisingly not-cheesy. It's shot documentary style, including footage of Donny B (the film's junkie namesake) going about his day, and interviews with friends and community members. The soundtrack, this looping, psychedelic lament is courtesy of Harry Holt.