Director John Antonelli spent over three years crafting Jack Kerouac: King of the Beats, a compelling docudrama exploring the profound influence of Jack Kerouac on American literature. Digitally remastered, the film blends dramatizations, archival footage, and interviews with key figures like Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and William Burroughs.

Actor Jack Coulter reenacts pivotal moments in Kerouac’s life, tracing his journey from Lowell, Massachusetts, through the cultural awakening he helped ignite in the 1950s. Filmed on location in places central to Kerouac’s story—from Lowell to Marin County—the documentary also features rare TV appearances, including with Steve Allen and William F. Buckley, where Kerouac reads from his work with captivating charisma.

The film began serendipitously when Antonelli, also from Lowell, discovered he was living near two of Kerouac’s friends in Marin County. Inspired by their connection to the legendary writer, Antonelli set out to portray the man behind On the Road and Desolation Angels. The result is a vivid portrait of a literary icon whose voice still resonates with readers and students today.