NEW YORK, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- The new film "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" gives insight into the late Beatle's perceived threat to the U.S. government and offers a new look at his career.
The movie, which Yoko Ono had a hand in creating, highlights Lennon's transformation from pop music idol to political activist, ABC News reported Wednesday.
The film shows Lennon's rebellious tendencies came at a price. He was placed under surveillance by federal agents. Some 20 years after the rock star/activist's death, the government released his FBI file which was nearly 300 pages long.
One document was a report that Lennon planned to take part in a protest at the 1972 Republican National Convention.
After he read the report, Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina suggested to President Nixon's attorney general that Lennon's visa be terminated, ABC said.
Lennon was notified that his visa had been terminated because of an old drug arrest in England and he was given 30 days to leave the United States.
But Ono and Lennon did not leave and a legal battle followed.
In 1976, after the end of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, Lennon won.
"The U.S. vs. John Lennon" will be released later this month.
