This is a documentary about Zappa as an artist, pulled together from TV interviews and recorded performances (some from Scandinavia and Germany, where he was clearly more appreciated than in North America). The earliest spot is from the Steve Allen show; a clean-cut young Zappa in a suit demonstrates a composition for bicycle and orchestra. The extraordinary live performances, which include a section from Dynamo Hum, provide an essential perspective. Zappa is often seen as a conductor, drawing performance variations from his musicians with hand and arm gestures.
His views on music, life, and politics are (not surprisingly) original, refreshing, and unequivocal. If you think of him as a hippie counterculture hero, you may be disappointed. But if you're a fan of Zappa for his amazing compositional talent and sheer artistic daring, see this film if you have the chance.