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The Complete Monterey Pop Festival - Criterion Collection

The Complete Monterey Pop Festival - Criterion Collection

List Price: $79.95
Your Price: $63.96
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Ravi Shankar definitely not 'peripheral'
Review: Just a rejoinder to the reviewer who lamented the fact that Ravi Shankar's performance was given 20 minutes, at the expense of (unnamed) other acts. It's important to remember that Shankar was the only performer at Monterey to be given an entire show to himself -- Sunday afternoon, the fourth of five shows that weekend. Other shows featured a dozen or more performers each. His music was at the time almost entirely unfamiliar to the audience, though the sitar had begun creeping into pop music through the work of the Beatles and a few others. (The Sgt. Pepper album, featuring the sitar-drenched "Within You and Without You," had been in the stores about two weeks when Monterey was held." Anyway, he held the audience spellbound for those two hours, as is clearly shown in the footage, including the youngest, most unaware patrons. How do I know? I was there, age 17, impatient for the Buffalo Springfield, the Who, Jefferson Airplane, and all the rest -- but was soon blown completely away by Shankar's performance. I'd love to see a "Ravi at Monterey" film, showing the whole set, to enjoy along with Jimi and Otis. Maybe some extra footage will turn up in the 2-hour bonus DVD coming out in November '02!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Nice Glimpse Into A Rock n Roll Era
Review: I don't have alot to add to the reviews, because most of them are right on. The performances that were captured are excellent and definitly give the viewer a flavor for the whole experience. Every bit of film of the audience was interesting as well. But contrary to the description of the film, it is basically a concert video, and not much of a documentary. You won't see many revealing shots of the artists offstage, or hear many interviews. But it is still excellent and a must see for rock n roll documentary enthusiasts.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Outstanding film!
Review: My first viewing was as a young teenager when this film was first released. I saw it perhaps twelve times in the theater near my home. Today I have shared it with my children, grandchildren, and their friends. All of my friends have seen it. I think it is one of the very few films that can even come close to capturing the essence of the feeling of the 60's. One must remember this film was made in 1967. At the early stages of the 60's movement. One way to know that is to look at the hair length of the men; maybe growing only a year. To me, it is the way the film was made is why I consider it a true classic. One of a kind. An excellent representation of the era. Having lived it for real, been there and done all that, it is rare (too rare) that I come across anything that gives the viewer a sense of the true feeling back then. The magic in the air. This film does just that. Think of the classic footage this film gives with some of the greatest rock n' roll musicians ever? It is awe inpiring today, albeit back then taken for granted.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Monterey Pop also for sale on VHS europe system ?
Review: I have seen parts of this Monterey pop film ans I like to buy it but it is only for sale on VHS NTSC format (US and Canada only)
Because I live in Holland I can't use it.

Who is abel to help me ?

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Monterey Magic!
Review: I love this movie. I only wish we could see more of each artist. I hope this is released on DVD soon, hopefully in an expanded version. I would have rated this a 5 if more footage was included.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Classic event, but the editor of the film was high
Review: Ok, so the Monterey Pop festival was obviously an historical event, and one of great notoriety. But as far as a film goes, I was a bit disappointed. The camera man tried to get artful angles, and a lot of the time just ended up getting someone's nose for too long, or a blast of light from the spotlight... it was surprising that the editor of the film actually put some of the shots in! For example, during "Today" by Jefferson Airplane, the camera man focused on Grace the whole time, which would have been ok (sort of) if he hadn't caught her from behind! All you see is the outline of her face -- which is only interesting for a second. The music is great, though the sound wasn't so good; the performances are wonderful, though you can't really tell from the editing. All in all, if you want to see most of these performers really rock, get the Woodstock DVD - director's cut! A much better edit too.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Interesting, accurate, but flawed
Review: As a coincidence I resided in Monterey when this festival was held, but as a pre-yuppie, got nothing but amusement from reports of the spectacle. Only now, nearly 35 years later, do I wonder what happened there.

Like it or not, we all use words and metaphors originated at this event. That huge rock museum in Seattle has as its theme and inspiration the "Jimi Hendrix Experience" which first was staged here. All large rock concerts owe their format and traditions to that first MPF.

Down to the nuts and bolts. I was surprised that "The Who" are shown smashing guitars and generally destroying the set (to the apparent chagrin of technicians, who scamper onstage to salvage their sound gear) earlier in the show than the more celebrated Hendrix version. Camera work, while occasionally intended for viewing by persons with chemically altered perception, is good, with views of 'wet show' backgrounds and innovative angles. Color is accurately subdued due to the grey, cloudy weather that weekend. Weather effects are most apparent in variation in clothing from period fur hats and gloves with visible breath to briefer garb in warmer moments.

The film dutifully depicts many important performers but settles late on an inexplicably-long (nearly 20 minutes) treatment of Ravi Shankar and his drummer, surely denying the viewer much more interesting footage. This domination by a peripheral performer makes the film seem slow and somewhat boring.

All things considered, though, I was pleased to finally get to see parts of this seminal event.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Better than Woodstock
Review: The first more day's musicfestival back in '67 made an onforgetable impact in history.Joplin,Hendrix,Country Joe&fish and Canned Heat must been seen.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: awsome video
Review: this video was awsome! it was great to see Janis before she got strung out.the footage of Eric Burdon was vintage.the sound was surprizingly good for the era.I am very very happy. I gave it 4 not 5 stars because it gets a little slow at the end.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Why not in DVD format?
Review: Love to see this in DVD...I wonder why it hasn't been done yet???


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