Dying to Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary

Dying to Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary, directed by Gay Dillingham and released in 2014, is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary film which beautifully portrays the lives, friendship, and philosophical journeys of Ram Dass and Timothy Leary. These two icons of the counter-cultural movement of the 1960s and 70s continue to inspire with their explorations into consciousness, psychedelia, and spirituality, despite being long departed.

The narrative designs their life stories in a conversational mode, effortlessly shifting between their early days as Harvard professors to their roles as spiritual and counter-cultural leaders. The protagonists, Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert) and Timothy Leary, initially chose different paths; Leary going on to advocate for the benefits of psychedelics, while Dass found himself immersed in spiritual teachings in India, eventually becoming a spiritual teacher himself.

The film opens with a conversation between these two masters shot in 1995, which discusses their life, the nature of consciousness, and even their readiness for death. Ram Dass and Timothy Leary, despite their philosophical differences, share a deeply invested friendship, reflective of a shared journey of exploration, curiosity, and rebellion against societal norms. The movie's narrative highlights this bond, their shared experiences, and their contribution to the understanding of human consciousness which had a profound effect on modern society.

Voiceovers from Robert Redford give life to the film, guiding the audience through the lives of these intriguing personalities, from their careers as world-renowned public figures to their quiet moment s contemplating life's biggest questions. John Perry Barlow, Deadhead lyricist, and a close friend of both Leary and Dass, contributes to the storytelling with his personal anecdotes, memories, and observations.

Dean Chamberlain, an honored psychedelic visual artist, enhances the movie's aesthetic appeal by providing stunning, captivating images that vividly depict the metaphysical journey of the two principled protagonists. His art successfully parallels the theme of the film, neatly capturing the spirit of exploring alternate dimensions of consciousness.

Enriching the narrative further is archival footage from various stages of Ram Dass and Timothy Leary's lives, including their controversial experiments with psychedelics at Harvard. The documentary masterfully blends these with conversations, interviews, and observations from those who were close to them, such as John Perry Barlow and other noted researchers and thinkers from the era.

The movie is not just a history lesson on these remarkable figures and their impact, but also a remarkable examination of life's deeper questions - ones that we often avoid or dismiss. Themes such as aging, the acceptance of death as a part of life, and the quest for meaningful existence are the film's cornerstones and are all explored with rare honesty and sensitivity.

Towards the end, the film segues into the exploration of death, a subject both Ram Dass and Leary faced with insight and courage. The intertwining of their intellectual contexts with more personal experiences of their final days is deeply engaging, prompting viewers to ponder their mortality and position in the universe.

Dying to Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary is an intriguing exploration of two of the 20th Century's most influential figures in the world of spirituality, psychedelia, and consciousness. Its strength lies not just in the powerful storytelling or the charismatic protagonists but also in its ability to provoke thought and introspection, challenging our perceptions of life and death. Far from being a biographical sketch, it's a philosophical journey bound to resonate with audiences long after the credits roll.