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Live at Pompeii (DVD, 1972)
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Growing up, I would go to some friend-of-a-friend's house, who would inevitably dim the lights, and we'd all chill to watching this rarity on VHS tape. Those early tapes often wouldn't track well on the audio, if it was in "Hi-Fi". Later on, I bought my own copy, and then later, picked up a higher quality version on Laser Disc. Those early releases, which were just fine, were of the second Director's cut of what aired in theaters world-wide in 1973. This DVD has both the original 1971 film, which offers only the concert itself, or the misdirected "Third Director's Cut" (and I usually love Director's Cut's) which has some interesting supplements, but a lot of even-then dated looking graphics and black and white interviews, and odd cuts away from them playing, which take me a out of the almost hypnotic film, instead of just some short, interesting interviews and moments with the band - including a hilarious interview with an obviously very high David Gilmour- which worked best in-between the band playing in the amphitheater of Pompeii. Watch the D.C. once for the full of it. Otherwise, go to menu, and click on "The Original Film" and then fast forward through the directors cut for the color footage of them in studio recording TDSOTM (Dark Side) and interviews and them talking during dinner -which is what the more entertaining and still to be re-released 1973 version had. Still, mesmerizing direction (original cut!) of these early Floyd classics are a must-see for any fan, or anyone who loves rock/progressive music, Make sure you engage your stereo system for the full effect, and enjoy the great sound. I am still waiting for a remastered Blu Ray or UHD version to see this 35mm film in all its glory as the colors and the eerie footage of Pompeii can be fully appreciated. For those who only think of Floyd in its Dark Side of the Moon or Wall era, this will be a revelation. An interesting interview with director Adrian Maben on "Why Pompeii" is included, and is very interesting.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Finally, this excellent film is available on DVD....only to be ruined (somewhat) by doing what George Lucas has done with the Star Wars Trilogy by fiddling with a good movie and relabeling it "The Director's Cut". Hmm. To be fair, this is the third version of this movie and I'm referring to the director messing with the second version. Confused? I don't blame you. "Pink Floyd" (the "at Pompeii" title added later) originally was released with just the band playing at the ruins of Pompeii. That film (thankfully) is found in the extra features of this disc. Shortly after it's original release, the director included scenes/interviews of the band during the recording of The Dark Side Of The Moon and this second version is the one we have enjoyed at midnight movies over the years and then on various home video releases. That second version is what I expected to get when it came out on DVD. Instead, the director decided to "update" the film by including spacey images and other shots for reasons only he can explain. I won't even try to give an opinion as to why. All I will say is.....it sucks now. The flow is gone, the new material is stupid, and if it wasn't for the inclusion of the original film as an extra I wouldn't even keep it, much less recommend it. Thankfully, I still have my laserdisc of the second version. I recommend this with reservations. Hopefully, all 3 versions will be on the blu-ray someday in 5.1 surround. Hopefully.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Beautiful cinematography and sound quality, especially given the Oct 1971 date of filming. It compares very favorably quality-wise with concert DVD of the present age but w/o the pandering to the audience. I sure wasn't expecting this! Just a pure performance. This is because European/Hollywood film techniques and 1970's and studio recording equipment were used to document this effort. THIS IS NOT A CONCERT DVD. There is no audience, only Pink Floyd, crew and director Adrian Maben plus his film crew. This type of product really was not feasable in this time period. Director Maben's vision was to simply have a film about the band's music in a historic setting. What sets this DVD apart from the average typical conception of what one might expect is the quality cinematography and the sound. The artificial lighting was very minimal and the natural autumn light is truly remarkable, even eerie at times, especially when coupled with Pink Floyd's unique style. The editing is well done, and the extra DVD features are very enlightening, including the directors interview. The film includes some songs done at night. From a film standpoint this is as well done as was possible given the time period. Great care went into filming and recording the band. The director mentions that a studio quality 24 track system was utilized for recording the band's performance. As for the Floyd?, .....well they really thrive in this setting and perform very naturally for the film. The film shows some really remarkable musical genius on display in the days BEFORE Dark Side of the Moon which propelled the Floyd into legendary category as was the case from 1973 forward. Who knew then that they would still be a lasting musical force today. This is a great snapshot of the band in their early days as Pink Floyd v.2 post-founder Syd Barrett. Many of the songs here are perhaps not as well known to fans today unless you are really a PF afficianado like some. It was a pleasant change of pace for me getting to see legendary performances of songs like Echoes Pt 1 & 2, Careful with That Axe Eugene, Howling Dog Blues, amongst others. These songs are reminders when bands like Pink Floyd, Chicago, Genesis, Zeppelin, Rush, et al could explore artsy, prog-rock or jazz fusion musical compositions at length to see where they would go. Today, that spontanaeity is sadly gone in the rigid/tightly agent crafted images and markets that bands must fit to be considered marketable in order to play the music genre of today. Keep in mind I am a long-time Pink Floyd fan but a late comer at that. My older cousin Tim introduced me to Pink Floyd while cruising Hauchuca City, AZ Christmas, 1975 (family vacation) in his 69, 396 4-spd Chevelle listening to Dark Side of the Moon, Obscurred By Clouds, on his under dash 8 track player. Even then, I didn't really appreciate early Floyd stuff until my late teens. Again, this DVD at Pompeii really reawakened my interest in earlier songs. I think this DVD will be a nice addition to any music lovers arsenal of concert music. You'll certainly apreciate the art approach taken by Adrian Maben in documenting Pink Floyd. BOTTOM LINE?: Get this DVD even if you are not a Pink Floyd fan. 1) great time trip back to see state of the art music in 1971; music making before computer processing, 2) Beautuful cinematography, 3) some truly talented men making music before egos started clashing for control. ENJOY & buy with confidence.....Read full review
I bought this because my local music store showed it on a huge plasma screen for about a month. I had to see it all the way through. Its pretty darn good. I never thought of the Floyds music as "Space Music" but this director did and most of the extended pieces are of deep space footage set to their tunes. If you have a plasma screen, enjoy. A second DVD came with the auction, a classic albums: Dark Side of the Moon, by Eaglevision Media. This is a good DVD as well and I recommend their series. All the Floyds members appear, thirty years older (and older than me) in their early sixties. They talk about their memories and play all the songs on acoustic instruments.
This is a concert with documentary inserts between songs set next to the Pompeii volcano. This is one if not the best musical performance by the Floyd. The set up and background provides an eerie/mysterious feel to it that is amplified by intense tracks such as "Careful with that Axe Eugene." Panned views of the volcano and computer generated graphics add to the effects. It unlike any other concert they have played in being that the only fans were those involved in the setup and movie creation. Songs like "One of These Days" provide an up-tempo song that highlights the drummer's capabilities. While the classic "Us and Them" shows their more mellow jazz oriented style. Extremely well produced a must see for any true Floyd fan
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