Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii

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.

It really should be no surprise that Pink Floyd of all bands could put together such a fantastic live performance. PULSE is one of the best live sets I have ever seen, but for the longest time Live at Pompeii eluded my attention. The first twelve minutes and the last twelve minutes of the movie are devoted to the best version of "Echoes" that I have ever heard. Other songs included in the set are "One of These Days", "A Saucerful of Secrets", and "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun". Depending on which version you watch, you will also get a glimpse of the band working in the studio on tracks for Dark Side of the Moon.

The cinematography of the movie has already been complimented upon by numerous reviewers, but it is definitely worth complimenting again, because it is so good. The actual interviews with band members vary in quality. Most interviews with Roger Waters involve him just messing with the interviewer. Mason and Gilmour are alright, but the best interview of the film is probably with the most under-appreciated member of the band, keyboardist Richard Wright. I watched this movie under the impression that is was only live set, and instead became an interesting mixture of live performances of music video quality intertwined with interviews and just filming the band hanging out in the studio. It almost seems like a documentary, and it works refreshingly well.

If I had to give the highlights of the performances, I would say that "Echoes" is a very obvious choice and is by far the highlight of the set. A not so obvious second in my opinion is "Careful With That Axe Eugene". This song manages to be so menacing yet subtle that I just can't help but like it. In both cases I find these performances superior to the studio recordings. The main detractor of this film is that "Echoes" is broken up into two parts. With a song so psychedelic and epic, it is such a shame it was cut in half. If the movie ended with the song in its entirety, it would have been almost perfect.

This film is nothing short of "must see" documentary history. I'll never be able to fully express how moving it is to see the young men of Pink Floyd during uninhibited moments of creativity, eating and chatting together, rehearsing, having philosophical discussions about the fate of rock-n-roll music and the shaking off of their drug-oriented image, and even arguing now and then.

Beyond how intriguing the band and it's members are, the film itself is so well directed and beautifully shot. The sound is excellent. Incredibly artistic film montages add to, rather than detract from the music. I have never seen a better portrayal of live music. The sheer musicianship of these men is mind boggling. Each is highlighted at different points in the film and it is clear that they have immense skill and talent.

Pink Floyd was so ahead of its time and will never seem out of style. And this film, although shot in 1972, is as fresh as a daisy. There are some incomparable moments, making this truly the best rock documentary I have ever seen. David Gilmour looks very handsome, by the way, and will always be my favorite guitar god. **swoon**

If you're a Floyd fan, then you know that the best way to experience their music is with both audio and visual. That's why this new dvd, `Live in Pompeii' is a must have. If you already own and love the video version like I do, you'll be blown away by the dvd. It has both the original version (in pan scan, minus the interviews) and a new director's cut (widescreen, with added interviews) as well. The visuals in this video are just amazing. The ancient amphitheater among the ruins of Old Pompeii is awesome and a great place for the band to play. There is a great mosaic shot of Nick Mason that is pretty trippy. The director's cut has footage from the band's recording of Dark Side, and some great interviews with the guys. This is definitely a must have for anyone's Floyd collection.

Unfortunately this is the only film of them for future generations to see, but fortunately it is good enough to do them justice. This was filmed without an audience which is fitting as their "audience" didn't discover them until Dark Side of the Moon. The songs they perform are an excellent window into their genius. Sadly even today you won't hear these songs on classic rock stations because they are too long & you can't dance to them. My son was a post DSotM fan, but when he heard their earlier works he found a whole new band. The songs in this film will stand the test of time, I am sure. If they had made more performance films I would be in heaven. I will only have the memories of seeing them live.