Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii (1972)

Just perfect...

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

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 one of the most impressive music docs I've ever seen. I live in Iceland and we don't have much of rare DVD material like these old concepts albums, VHS or what-ever - reproduced and remade to DVD. But God bless the Internet - because with it's help - I could get a copy, legally of course - and this film is great to watch on a gigantic theater-mode tent I have in my garage (which I turned into an office - the kind you can go to and listen to music, play the guitars, read good books and use the Internet for great things). Then I put my feet up - comfortably numb I watch from the computer, through the home-theater network system, to a projector that shows with great quality on a big theater-tent as big as the garage-doors. And with 8 speakers - 2 at the front left and right - 200watts. Not very uncomfortable!-Oh... yeah.. the Live at Pompeii movie... It's the best! Everybody who want's to learn to listen to Pink Floyd or has learned but earns for more (P U L S E does not come out on DVD until next fall). -PINK FLOYD:LIVE AT POMPEII IS THE ONE TO SEE!Note: Scenes from volcanic eruption are filmed in Iceland and also you can see in some scenes the hot spring place called "Geysir" and "The Blue Lagoon" (a natural hot water filled with some great minerals, health mud or something like that, right in the middle of a lava-area)Both are places in Iceland whom no tourist misses.

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**

An insight to the genius of Pink Floyd. The making of Dark Side Of The Moon, experimenting with new equipment etc.'Live' at Pompeii, talking to the dead of Pompeii, the idea alone, makes you want to find out what it is about.A great buy.