Freebird: The Movie

The original Freebird was an excellent collection of live performances but did not explain much in the way of the band's history. The new double-movie DVD redresses this by adding the 1987 Tribute Tour movie to Freebird: this second movie describes the early history of the band and its members and also details the present (1987 at least) situation with the surviving and newly-added members. In all, the double movie DVD serves as a reminder of just how great this band was, and to a lesser extent, still is.

"You say you will be alright tomorrow, but tomorrow may not be here for you".

Skynyrd at the rawest and best. This film is a must for any Skynyrd fan. The interviews and home movies show that these guys weren't just rock 'n' roll gods.

I bought this DVD three years back and the extra footage had an issue (maybe that was a PAL UK issue) but if you love Lynard Skynard tunes it's worth owning.

Don't look at this DVD as a movie but a chance to slightly peak into the world of a band taken before they reached their peak.

There are only 3-4 videos you could class as music videos but this is an era before that genre really existed so don't expected nicely edited music videos.

What I think you will see is the insight in a band that were a phenomenon, the interviews are brief but interesting, The band's music still captivates years later, technically they remain unsurpassed in many respects.

The movie isn't much ... some nice home movie footage, and lots of fine performances by the band (esp. "Freebird," of course), but for whatever reason (original footage or eventual editing) the choice of camera shots is v.frustrating. Whichever guitarist is playing a solo, the camera inevitably shows someone else; even "Freebird" has as many shots of the crowd as it does of the band. I'd give it a six on a scale of ten; play a CD, you'll be just as happy.

I remember the days of 1976 (although I was only 13 at the time) and the BBC used to have a people's choice on New Year's Eve, the footage of Lynyrd Skynyrd performing "Freebird" at Knebworth won every year it was one of the choices. Unfortunately, this movie does not include this triumphant, jubilant performance and it is instead replaced by, in comparison, a pedestrian version from an altogether different source. Colour me disappointed.

While the music of Skynyrd is well represented, and for this alone I rate this at 7, the failure to include one of their greatest moments on stage ~ especially when the footage was available (clips of it are shown during the end credits while another song entirely provides the backing) ~ is an atrocious error in judgement.

Enjoy what is there, but remember it could have been so much better.