A Wild Man's descent

Wild Man Fischer was institutionalised at 16 after trying to knife his cruel mother and was diagnosed as a manic-depressive, paranoid schizophrenic.

When he came out, he wandered the streets of LA singing his songs to passers-by for 10 cents a time until he was discovered by Frank Zappa, with whom he cut the dada rock classic Merry-Go-Round.

However, over 40 years, his paranoia overwhelmed him and he is now in a care home, heavily drugged.

Using copious clips of the eccentric rocker himself, Josh Rubin's film traces his life with what can only be called grim affection. There was, he says, nothing that could be done for him since his moods seemed inexplicable.

Fischer has become a minor cult figure and indeed his songs, which at first seem hopeless, do gradually assume a certain wild dignity.

Derailroaded
Cert: 18