Rare Cameron Crowe Directed Tom Petty Documentary Now Available for Streaming

A special treat for Tom Petty fans— a rare documentary directed by Cameron Crowe has recently been remastered and is now available to stream for the first time ever. The documentary, titled “Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party,” originally aired in 1983 on MTV but was not seen for decades until it was restored for a limited theatrical release last October. Now, fans can enjoy it on Paramount+ as of March 11.

Variety reports that the movie was remastered from the original 16mm film, which was found by an archivist who contacted Cameron Crowe about restoring and releasing it. Filmed during the recording of the Heartbreakers’ album “Long After Dark,” the documentary features Crowe on camera interviewing Tom Petty and his bandmates.

Crowe, known for his work on films like “Jerry Maguire” and “Almost Famous,” considers “Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party” his directorial debut. The re-release includes additional footage and interviews with Petty’s daughter, Adria, providing fans with a fresh look at the beloved artist and his band.

In a statement about the film’s release, Crowe shared, “Heartbreaker’s Beach Party occupies a special place in my heart. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers leaned into the making of the film with a kind of hilarious music-filled honesty that still feels fresh forty years later… The fact that the original film was yanked from MTV after only one airing shows that it was, and still is, an outlandish feast for fans in the best ways.”

This exciting release comes just before Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers bandmate Mike Campbell’s memoir, “Heartbreaker: A Memoir,” hits shelves on March 18. The book, co-written by Campbell who worked on hits like “Refugee” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” will be available in hardcover or ebook format from Grand Central Publishing.

If you’re a Tom Petty fan or music documentary enthusiast, this rare find is definitely worth checking out!