Like It Is (1968)
A raw, immersive documentary capturing the hippie counter-culture and free love movement of 1960s San Francisco at its most vivid.
Like It Is - Movie Information
- Original Title: Like It Is
- Release Year: 1968
- Directed by: William Rotsler
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 12m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 20, 1968 (United States - R)
- Alternative Titles: Like It Is (US)
- Production Companies: Lima Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Like It Is - Plot
This documentary on the "youth movement" of the late 1960s focuses on the hippie pot smoking/free love culture in the San Francisco Bay area.
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Like It Is - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- William Rotsler
Main Cast
- Candee Earle
- Adele Rein
- Michelle Angelo
- Janice Kelly
- James Brand
Writers
- William Rotsler
Producers
- Chris Warfield
Like It Is - FAQs
What is Like It Is about?
Like It Is is a 1968 documentary that dives into the heart of the late-1960s youth movement, capturing the hippie subculture of the San Francisco Bay Area. It documents free love, psychedelic experiences, and the counter-culture spirit that defined a generation, centered around the iconic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.
Is Like It Is a true counter-culture document?
Absolutely. Filmed on location in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, Like It Is captures the real faces and energy of the hippie movement at its peak. Director William Rotsler — himself a multifaceted figure in 1960s underground culture — brings an insider's eye to the psychedelic, free-spirited world he documents.
Where can you watch Like It Is online?
You can check all current streaming and viewing options for Like It Is on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Options may include rental or purchase through digital storefronts, as the film is a niche 1968 documentary with limited mainstream streaming presence.
What makes Like It Is historically significant?
Like It Is is a rare time capsule of the Summer of Love era, shot in real San Francisco locations like Haight-Ashbury. It preserves the raw, unfiltered energy of the hippie movement — the nude dancing, psychedelic imagery, and counter-culture philosophy — at the very moment it was happening, making it a genuine piece of 1960s social history.
Who directed Like It Is?
Like It Is was directed by William Rotsler, a fascinating figure in 1960s underground culture who was simultaneously a sculptor, cartoonist, science fiction fan, and filmmaker. He also served as the film's cinematographer and writer, giving the documentary a distinctly personal, hands-on creative vision.
What is the age rating for Like It Is?
Like It Is is rated R. Given its frank depiction of hippie counter-culture — including nudity, drug use, and psychedelic imagery rooted in the free love movement of 1960s San Francisco — the R rating reflects content that is intended for mature audiences.
What are similar documentaries to Like It Is?
If Like It Is speaks to you, check out Gimme Shelter (1970) for another raw slice of late-1960s counterculture, Woodstock (1970) for the era's defining music event, or Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics (2020) for a modern take on psychedelic culture. Dig! (2004) also captures underground music scenes with similar energy.
How long is Like It Is?
Like It Is runs 72 minutes — a tight, focused runtime that suits its documentary style. At just over an hour, it delivers its immersive portrait of 1960s hippie culture without overstaying its welcome, making it an accessible watch for anyone curious about the era.
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