I'll give the nod to THE LAST WALTZ in terms of presentation, but the events captured here, and the way the editing renders them are incomprable. It never ceases to amaze me that the end of the hippies as a mass movement was caught on film.
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I agree with the above comments and would like to add the best non-documentary live concert movie as "Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert" where the guest artists skilfully show Dylan how to perform his own songs!
shareNow, personally think the best Dylan documentary is DON'T LOOK BACK, but that's me.
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I've never seen EAT THE DOCUMENT, but I am not aware of any place you can get copies. You could probaly find one on E-Bay if you're willing to pay for it.
share"Gimme Shelter" was good, but I can think of three rock documetaries that are better: "Woodstock" "Ozzy Osbourne- Don't Blame Me" and "The Last Waltz."
shareFrankly, I think that Gimme Shelter was a much better film than Woodstock, because, unlike Woodstock, Gimme Shelter told it like it really was regarding rock concerts back than and what really and truly went on. During the 1969 (the original) Woodstock, there were a lot of bad drug trips, three people died, and there were a lot of sexual assaults that went unreported, because people didn't report rape back in those days. All that was cut out when they made the 1969 Woodstock festival into a movie.
shareI own eat the document. I got it on vhs. you could get it on ebay. you have to be a real dylan freak to enjoy it. I personally did. raw and authentic.
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Still there, JoeRob? You've provided an excellent list of films. I saw Cckscker Blues a few years back at the San Francisco Film Festival, and it adds new meaning to the term "raw footage." As such it has its fascinating moments, but it is disjointed (so to speak) and ultimately pretty grim and depressing. I can see why the interested parties are not thrilled about it being seen.
If I may add to your list:
Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll -- the tension between Keith Richards and Chuck Berry reaches the level of literary conflict.
The Kids are Alright -- the very best of The Who.
The Clash West Way to the World -- does justice to the story of The Clash.
Home of the Brave -- Laurie Anderson's high concept stage show expertly filmed.
Gigantic: A Tale of Two Johns -- They Might Be Giants, witty and exuberant.
Storefront Hitchcock -- Demme delivers solo Robyn Hitchcock, jittery and in control at the same time.
Yessongs -- admittedly, for fans of the group only, but the movie captures them in their best period.
Deja Vroom -- Later period King Crimson in the "double trio" formation.
I know I've missed other good ones ...
a great rock documentary is no direction home, a martin scorsaise (sp?) film about bob dylan
shareI love what Goddard does with the inserted footage in SYMPATHY.
I've seen *beep* BLUES a couple times (a friend of mine has a vhs copy). It's great. A little disjointed, with some bits that are obviously not something the band would want you to see, but the music scenes hold it together. They're awesome. Almost as good as the '69 tour. Also, Mick dances when someone puts a record on at one point, and it's the same type of dance people mistake for artistry on stage. He's not playing, he actually dances like that.
I haven't seen enough rock documentaries to be sure. But it's definitely one of the very best historical documentaries I've ever seen. It immerses you in the youth culture of the late 60's at its uneasy, violent peak just before it was about to die. The footage at the end, of the Altamont audiences dispersing is like watching the 60's dissolve before your eyes.
Unbelievably good.
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"The Filth and the Fury" starring the Sex Pistols.
shareNo question - Gimme Shelter.
Wish a special edition DVD could be released showing more actual concert footage from Madison Square Garden and Altamont.
While we are Talkin Best Rock Films .. do not forget "Mad Dogs and Englishmen"!!! Great Film and a must see !!! A young Bobby Keys is excellent at miximg Tequila Sunrises on the Plane as well as playing the Sax across the USA backing up Joe Cocker's first American Tour! Soon after this tour Bobby Keys joins the Rollin Stones who he stills plays sax for today.
shareI agree that Gimme Shelter is the best Rock Documentary that I've seen. It's an interesting movie, not just because of the people, but because it's a much more accurate, rounded-out portrayal of what really and truly went on at a lot of rock concerts, not just then, but now, too.
shareGimme Shelter is deffinitely my favorite concert documentary.
share1. the kids are all right
2. gimme shelter
3. *beep* blues
4. the who- live at the isle of right- 1970
speaking of the who does anyone know if the who are ever going to release the whole of their woodstock performance? It's was them at their absolute best, but they complained about their food being LSD laced and tech difficulties.
shareI can't believe nobody's mentioned the greatest documentary/concert film of all time.....THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME.
Or the equally entertaining Festival Express.
Or The Rolling Stones' Rock And Roll Circus.
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Two punk documentaries that were not mentioned -- Hated: GG Allin and the Murder Junkies and The Decline of Western Civilization. Both were much more about the stage 'show' than the music. Both, incidently, were directed by people who went on to find success with mainstream Hollywood fare: Todd Phillips and Penelope Spheeris.
What about End of the Century? The doc about The Ramones. Really cool film. Highly recommended.
shareIn no order...
Rattle and Hum
Gimme Shelter
The Kids Are Alright
Let It Be
Stop Making Sense
The Last Waltz
Tom Petty: Going Home
Madonna: Truth or Dare
John Lennon: Imagine
The Filth and the Fury
Hype
I'm looking forward to seeing the Ramones video
Stones in the 60's touring Ireland on a train
Charlie is my Darlin
Festival express Janis The Dead Buddy Guy The Band & others touring Canada
I agree with y'all!
Plus Add:
The Great Rock n Roll Swindle, off the wall treatment of the early daze of the Sex Pistols.
Jazz On A Summer's Day, the best before Monterrey Pop. Qualifies based on Chuck Berry performing Sweet Little Sixteen, with the All Star Jazz Band. His stage antics and his duel with a guy blowing his top off with a French horn is one of the most exciting moments in filmed rock. Also, Mahalia Jackson rocks the house with her Gospel beat. Etta James and even Aretha herself would not have been brave enough to follow her that day. Ray Charles also performed at this event (Newport Jazz Fest '58), but was not filmed; his great recording Live At Newport fortunately lives on.
Hard To Handle, an amazing Bob Dylan concert film made in Australia in the mid 80's at the start of Director Gillian Armstrong's filmmaking career. Bob Dylan sounds great in acoustic and full band settings (with Tom Petty and Heartbreakers plus several gospel singers), when who knew he had it in him. Every song is strong; Like A Rolling Stone (acoustic) is extraordinary. Shot at night, dramatically lit, looks great, really takes you there. Not surprising that Armstrong became a big name movie director. This is probably the best Dylan had been as a performer that late in his career and she nailed it.
BTW, avoid Bob Dylan MTV Unplugged.
Hands down- "Mad Dogs and Englishmen". NOT the best concert film, NOT the best rock'n'roll film, but absolutely the best documentary. A blueprint for how it should be done, from start to finish. Lots of behind the scenes and plenty of great concert footage. This movie can turn anyone into a Joe Cocker fan (at least for the duration of the film).
sharei'm tellin' yall, isle of wight. isle of wight.
My favorite band--No River City--is on tour this summer. www.norivercity.com
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