Bukowski: Born Into This (2003)
Overview · Where to watch · Cast & crew · Reviews
Director John Dullaghan’s biographical documentary about infamous poet Charles Bukowski, Bukowski: Born Into This, is as much a touching portrait of the author as it is an exposé of his sordid lifestyle. Interspersed between ample vintage footage of Bukowski’s poetry readings are interviews with the poet’s fans including such legendary figures such as Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Joyce Fante (wife of John), Bono, and Harry Dean Stanton. Filmed in grainy black and white by Bukowski’s friend, Taylor Hackford, due to lack of funding, the old films edited into this movie paint Bukowski’s life of boozing and brawling romantically, securing Bukowski’s legendary status.
- Released: 2003-01-18
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 1h 55m
- Status: Released
- TMDB rating: 6.8/10 from 57 votes
Directed by John Dullaghan.
Top cast
- Charles Bukowski as Self
- Harry Dean Stanton as Self
- Sean Penn as Self
- Bono as Self
- Linda Bukowski as Self
- Pam Miller as Self
- Taylor Hackford as Self
- Barbet Schroeder as Self
- Tom Waits as Self
- Michael D. Meloan as Self
Where to watch Bukowski: Born Into This
- United States: stream on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Amazon Prime Video with Ads; watch free on Kanopy, Hoopla, YouTube Free, Plex, Plex Channel, Xumo Play, Tubi TV; rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home; buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Canada: watch free on Tubi TV; rent on Apple TV Store; buy on Apple TV Store
- Australia: watch free on Tubi TV
Movies like Bukowski: Born Into This
If you enjoyed Bukowski: Born Into This, these movies have a similar feel:
- Come See Me in the Good Light (2025)
- Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction (2013)
- A Toxic Love Story (2026)
- Gilbert (2017)
- The Curse of the Dragon (1993)
- Struggle: The Life and Lost Art of Szukalski (2018)
- Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022)
- The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)
- A Decade Under the Influence (2003)
- Love, Antosha (2019)
- Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. (2018)
- They'll Love Me When I'm Dead (2018)
Can't decide what to watch?
FlickPicker recommends movies from your own taste and the services you subscribe to, and Pick Together lets a whole group vote on tonight's pick. Try the free random movie generator, find movies with AI, or browse trending movies.
Download FlickPicker on the App Store Explore the iPhone app