Scorsese's film of Bob Dylan to air on UK TV

LONDON - Previously unseen footage of American counterculture legend Bob Dylan airs on British television on Monday with fans getting the bonus that this latest look at their idol was directed by Martin Scorsese.

Parts of No Direction Home -- Bob Dylan will fascinate many fans of the singer-songwriter, not least the footage of Dylan in 1966 as he played live in front of an audience as they boo his decision to electrify his music.

Amid the shouting there is Dylan performing like a rocker in the newly discovered footage.

A two-part series told in flashbacks, part one looks at Dylan from a young man in the US Midwest to his dominant position on the folk music stage.

Alongside the youthful Dylan are appearances by Joan Baez, at one time both his lover and musical collaborator, and beatnik poet Allen Ginsberg.

The second episode explores Dylan as he stands on the brink of superstardom and charts the growth of the myth which surrounded him and the hits which underpinned his status as one of the pre-eminent lyricists of his generation.

The documentary will be aired on BBC2 on Monday and Tuesday evening.

- REUTERS