Editorial Review:Amazon.com:Half its members may be dead and its leader may be keeping a low profile, but the Who remains enormously popular. Devotees who haven't availed themselves of Jeff Stein's thrilling, self-mocking 1979 documentary about the group shouldn't wait another minute now that the film has been painstakingly--perhaps heroically--restored to its theatrical-release length from original elements. The sound is clearer than on previous video releases, images are once more crisp and color-rich, and adjustments in tape speed make the Who sound like themselves again, particularly in vintage television performances and filmed club dates from as far back as the band's sonically thrilling, early R&B period. Special features are, shall we say, extensive: 100 or so minutes of multiple-angle footage, an insightful interview with Roger Daltrey, a featurette about the film's restoration, and a mesmerizing, isolated John Entwistle audio track.
--Tom Keogh
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Fee Fi Fo Fum! I Hear the Electrifying Sounds of Four Englishmen!
And those Englishmen that I speak of are Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon, better known to the rock world and their fans as The Who. In this 1979 rockumentary directed by Jeff Stein, the band is shown in classic clips performing some of their best songs. When it opens, we see them performing "My Generation" on "The Smothers Brothers Show". After the documentary's titles are shown, we cut to a clip of them singing "I Can't Explain" on what would be the last broadcast of "Shindig", ABC's evening answer to their ever-popular "American Bandstand". About a half-hour or so into the movie, we're treated to their electrifying performance of "See Me, Feel Me/Listening to You" at the 1969 Woodstock Festival. In between these rocking performances, we get to see the four men reveal their true selves during interviews, such as the one done by English TV show host Russell Harty. Here, you get to see them display their sense of humor, with Harty not batting an eye. They are also asked, by various fans, questions on topics ranging from drugs to looks. Although all four members are interviewed, none is interviewed more often than Pete Townshend, who presents a thoughtful, serious side of himself. Of course, no Who documentary would be complete without clips of him destroying his guitar during concerts, for which he is legendary. During the "Smothers Brothers" segment, after Tom watches Townshend destroy his guitar, he tells his brother Dick to bring his guitar (so that Townshend could destroy it!). We also get to see drummer Keith Moon during his crazy, maniacal moments and on the drums. I would say he was The Who's equivalent of The Beatles's Ringo Starr, who, by the way, we see talking to Moon. Throughout this whole movie, we hear the best that these guys had to offer, including the aforementioned "My Generation" (we also get treated to a clip of them singing it at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival), "I Can't Explain", "Teenage Wasteland", "Happy Jack", "Tommy", "Pinball Wizard", "Won't Get Fooled Again", "Magic Bus", and at the end, "Long Live Rock".
These men knew how to rock; their music defined a generation. If you're a fan and think that they rock, like I do, then you should no doubt love this showcase of one of the best rock bands of all time.
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Twelve stars
I ordered this DVD on January 16, 2007 -- I can't believe that I didn't write a review at the time -- and I've played it so many times that the grooves are getting worn out. No, seriously, I'm so worried that it will get scratched that I just ordered two more copies.
I was a Who fan. This DVD turned me into a raving Who fan. It starts out with a bang (a real one, complete with drum shrapnel and burning hair) and ends with a blistering live performance of WGFA (Won't Get Fooled Again) from 1978 -- Keith Moon's last public performance with the band. There's also a live version of "Baba O'Riley" from the same session in 1978, and magical footage from Woodstock of Daltrey singing "See me, hear me, touch me, feel me" as the sun breaks over the horizon and floods the stage. Makes me want to have been there even more than Hendrix's performances do.
I just watched "Live at Isle of Wight" (as well as the Woodstock footage), and the '78 live versions of Baba and WGFA are every bit as electric as the performances in '69 and '70.
The bonus material is also fascinating: if you look at what they did during the restoration and audio cleanup of the original release, your jaw will be hanging on the floor (if you like such things).
This deserves twice as many stars as I can give it. No offense to anyone who doesn't like it, but how that's possible is beyond my comprehension.
Long live rock.
P.S. You should also get your hands on the DVD about the making of Who's Next: amazing, truly amazing -- behind the scenes info from Townshend, Glyn Johns, and many other people involved with the production of the record. It answers a lot of questions, like "Is that a *violin* at the end of Baba O'Riley?" (Yes, played by Dave Arbus) and "Is that a synth loop?" (No, but you'll have to listen to Glyn Johns's explanation because I don't quite understand it)
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Back to cinema glory!
This wonderful film has at last been restored to its original cinematic glory. I went to the Rialto in Leicester Square, London (where the film had been premiered) to see it in 1979, and this DVD brought the whole terrific experience back to me. TKAA was butchered for VHS release, with many little details thrown out: In many ways, the details are what makes the story of The Who fascinating. They highlight personality traits of all four members: Moon's reckless lunacy, Daltrey's pragmatic presence, Entwistle's wry stoicism and Townshend's restless energy. Of course the concert and TV footage is priceless. Any rock fan will be enthralled watching this. You don't have to be a Who fanatic. God bless the 'Orrible 'Ooo!
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SCARE YOUR NEIGHBORS !!!!
If you don't already own this restored version in HD,you'll think I'm exaggerating. If you do already own this,or have seen it...excuse me,EXPERIENCED it,you'll know I'm telling the truth. Also, you obviously have to be a WHO fan,but that should go without saying,right? If there's a fire,I'm grabbing THIS DVD on my way out the door!!! Scare the neighbors,blow up the speakers, just RAISE HELL with this MAMMOTH MOTHER.
The fact that it opens with the FBI warning shaking as if a giant were about to smash through your screen is a pretty accurate opening. Somehow this movie had gotten past me for 29 years!?! Can't explain why,been a Who fan since 1969, sure I'd seen clips from it, but man, did Jeff Stein do a GREAT JOB !!! Anyway, don't hesitate if you're considering this...trust me, buy it,you WON'T be sorry, and...may you find a seller as CONSCIENTIOUS as I did ("shawnek")...they packed it so well, it might have withstood dynamite!!! Great seller,great DVD, LIFE CAN BE GOOD sometimes !!!!
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WOW !
I have a friend who watched this DVD recently one night . He suffers a bit from sleep-disorder. He says he had absolutely NO chance of sleeping after the undiluted deluge of adrenaline which is the Who on this album. It makes contemporary acts seem lifeless, over-rehearsed, calculated, calculating and inhibited.
Not these guys. Man oh Man!
