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Rating: 
Summary: For about the same money, you can get the DVD and the album.
Review: As noted in a previous review, those interested in owning this DVD can buy the special edition of Johnny Cash's AMERICAN IV: THE MAN COMES AROUND that includes a bonus dvd containing this video. The Amazon number for it is B00008IAMD; it would cost only a few dollars more than this dvd alone. However, it may have been the case that those who bought the CD before the commercial release of the dvd may be interested. This DVD has no frills; it contains only the video. A real value would be the release of all the Cash videos made for his American album releases; it's a shame that the UNEARTHED compilation does not include such a disc.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Performance Bound To Leave You Hurt
Review: I am normally not a fan of covered songs, but in this case I make a huge exception. Cash's treatment of Trent Reznor's amazingly powerful "Hurt" truly makes it his own, and serves as the capstone to an amazing career. Filmmaker Mark Romanek knew intuitively exactly how to maximize the raw emotion in his magnificent video, filmed shortly before June Carter Cash died unexpectedly. Her presence in this video accentuates the pain in Cash's voice, and helps heighten this video to the level of true art, a level that most music videos can't even hope to attain.
As an aside, this video was originally available as an extra on the special edition of Cash's "American IV: The Man Comes Around," which if you don't own it, I would recommend instead of the DVD alone, as you can get the music CD plus the DVD video for a slightly higher price.
I have loved the music of Johnny Cash since I was a very young child, and sometimes had occasional second thoughts about where his career had taken him since his collaboration with Rick Rubin began. Although I still like the early Cash, this video by itself is powerful enough to make anyone forget any reservations about Johnny Cash's later career. This is perhaps the most perfect music video ever made; it is both beautiful and haunting, and sometimes so raw that it is difficult to confront. To see the true power of music and film combined, watch "Hurt": you will definitely be moved and certainly will never regret the purchase. There will never be another Johnny Cash.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Every Penny
Review: I've never seen such a powerful, sorrowful expression of contrition. Cash is a tortured soul who knows his time is coming soon, and his video depicts his life in a nutshell; in his eyes he has failed himself, his family and his God, squandering everything along the way. He asks all for forgiveness. I watch this and it feels like a punch in the gut. Mark Romanek is to be commended for providing such a multimedia vehicle for Cash. In this video Cash is an old, used-up man and he knows it, but he isn't feeling sorry for himself. Rather, he is acknowledging his own humanity, asking all to forgive him and accept him as he is. Through this acknowledgment of his failings and his humanity, he reveals his deep love of God, life and family. Few individuals could have the emotional depth necessary to leave such a parting gift as this. The songwriting of Trent Reznor is powerful, and Cash is a powerful interpreter. Cash has taken this song and made it his own. Reznor's lyrics are raw, intense knives that twist and turn their way into the soul... and in laying his soul bare for us all to see, Cash wields Reznor's knives to perfection. I've never seen a video like this one, and doubt I ever will again. It was worth every penny I paid. While I have never been a great fan of Johnny Cash's music, I find this video to be overwhelmingly beautiful. The experience leaves me with the impression that Johnny Cash was a very human being and a priceless national treasure... someone to be forgiven for his transgressions. I sincerely hope he is resting in peace.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Every Penny
Review: I've never seen such a powerful, sorrowful expression of contrition. Cash is a tortured soul who knows his time is coming soon, and his video depicts his life in a nutshell; in his eyes he has failed himself, his family and his God, squandering everything along the way. He asks all for forgiveness. I watch this and it feels like a punch in the gut. Mark Romanek is to be commended for providing such a multimedia vehicle for Cash. In this video Cash is an old, used-up man and he knows it, but he isn't feeling sorry for himself. Rather, he is acknowledging his own humanity, asking all to forgive him and accept him as he is. Through this acknowledgment of his failings and his humanity, he reveals his deep love of God, life and family. Few individuals could have the emotional depth necessary to leave such a parting gift as this. The songwriting of Trent Reznor is powerful, and Cash is a powerful interpreter. Cash has taken this song and made it his own. Reznor's lyrics are raw, intense knives that twist and turn their way into the soul... and in laying his soul bare for us all to see, Cash wields Reznor's knives to perfection. I've never seen a video like this one, and doubt I ever will again. It was worth every penny I paid. While I have never been a great fan of Johnny Cash's music, I find this video to be overwhelmingly beautiful. The experience leaves me with the impression that Johnny Cash was a very human being and a priceless national treasure... someone to be forgiven for his transgressions. I sincerely hope he is resting in peace.
Rating:
Summary: The Man Comes Around
Review: It weirds me out that the above reviewers approach this film from a consumer standpoint -- that is, you can save 3.95 at Wal-Mart if you get the CD AND VIDEO. Fine. Let's talk about Hurt itself - this little film is the only justification I've seen for the continued existence of MTV and "music videos" (in themselves the worst thing to happen to music since and inclluding Rap). There's no way to describe these 3.5 minutes other than they are a requin, a valedictation to the MAN who, with Haggard and Hank Williams the FIRST, was one of the sole voices for poor American Southern rural whites in this country -- the people who came over in the creaking wooden ships before there was a United States, carved this nation from the wilderness, and are now the subject of smart-assed jokes from Big Media in New York and L.A. This is Johnny Cash's requiem, and guess what -- once Hag and George Jones are gone, that's it. It, I-T, finito, goodbye -- hope you enjoy the whinging little brats like M&M and Justin, because that's what your kids are going to get, and that is all they will ever know. The Ulster-Scots Protestants who made this country are gone, and you won't have known enough about them to know what you've lost. Hurt is a little signpost -- but a signpost that leads to a cemetary visited by no one. Have a happy multicultural, metrosexual day.
Rating:
Summary: PHENOMENAL
Review: One of the greatest, if not the greatest covers of all-time, listen to this in a dark room, all alone, and then ruminate on the fact that this was Cash's final single before his passing. Wow.
Rating:
Summary: Nine Inch Cash
Review: Some people still find it hard to believe that Johnny Cash recorded a Nine Inch Nails song. For those who followed the "American Recordings" series Cash released during his final years, it comes as no surprise at all. Cash not only covered "Hurt," but he also covered songs by artists such as Depeche Mode, Soundgarden, and Danzig. It's not that Cash was in search of a new musical direction. He always searched for songs that he could give his own spin.
Not only does Cash give his own spin to the Trent Reznor composition "Hurt," but video director Mark Romanek, whose big screen credits include "One Hour Photo," creates a portrait of bright light and extreme darkness to accompany the song's message. The video shows Cash in a sadly reflective mood, wondering what has become of his life. He sadly reflects, "Everyone I know goes away in the end" as he sits among the possessions of his life in his own museum, which is closed to the public. Romanek also includes old footage of Cash in a range of moods. The newest footage shows him in a state of resignation, convinced he has been a failure in his life.
Yet, when Cash sings "What have I become, my sweetest friend?" June Carter Cash sadly, but faithfully, stands by her man. This is the one sign that his life is not as much of a failure as he might think. The man has made mistakes, and seeks atonement. However, he's so focused on his pain, he doesn't realize how close he is to atonement. In the song's final verse, Romanek turns up the sound to emphasize the pain and the desire for atonement. It's a powerful video with its combination of sights, sounds, and performances. Johnny Cash takes this song and makes it seem that Reznor had written it specifically for Cash. The video also shows that Cash never stopped trying to be a musical influence, when he could have easily have settled on being a musical patriarch.
This DVD is not only available separately, but it is also included on expanded version of his CD, "American IV: The Man Comes Around," a title which I also highly recommend. "Hurt" is one of the great moments in music video. Not only does Johnny Cash sell the song, but he sells the emotion marvelously. "Hurt" is one of the final pieces of a 50-year musical career that began strong and ended stronger.
Originally published on Epinions.com.
Rating:
Summary: Great cover by a legend
Review: The Man In Black delivers a stunning and powerful personal cover of Trent Reznor's Hurt. Cash sounds more melancholic in this rendition than he ever has. The entire album is amazing and for fans of Nine Inch Nails having a legend like Cash consider doing a cover is very gratifying. Rest In Peace, Mr. Cash.
Rating:
Summary: It's a good "film" or video... not a good value, though
Review: This is probably the most passionately eerie video I've ever watched. Blending old footage of Cash with the new, this video "Hurt," seems a melodic retrospective of Cash's life. The juxtaposition of "my empire of dirt" and images of Cash's awards, plaques and tributes is especially poignant. Just to note, though, this "film" is really only a four-minute video, nothing else. For value, this DVD should at least contain an interview, behind-the-scenes footage... something, anything, not just the video. As an avid collector of Cash music and film, it's a cherished DVD, but not worth much from a consumer's point of view. BTW, consumers can get this video with The Man Comes Around cd/dvd release.
Rating:
Summary: It's a good "film" or video... not a good value, though
Review: This is probably the most passionately eerie video I've ever watched. Blending old footage of Cash with the new, this video "Hurt," seems a melodic retrospective of Cash's life. The juxtaposition of "my empire of dirt" and images of Cash's awards, plaques and tributes is especially poignant. Just to note, though, this "film" is really only a four-minute video, nothing else. For value, this DVD should at least contain an interview, behind-the-scenes footage... something, anything, not just the video. As an avid collector of Cash music and film, it's a cherished DVD, but not worth much from a consumer's point of view. BTW, consumers can get this video with The Man Comes Around cd/dvd release.
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