Rating: 
Summary: What's not to like?
Review: As a middle age baby-boomer who has been a Beatle fan since Ed Sullivan's introducing of them back in 1964, I find this to be a real treasure-chest of John Lennon material. I'm not a Lennon collector, or "Hi-Fi" buff as some of the other reviewers seem to be, so I was able to enjoy this DVD to the limit as a rock music, and John Lennon fan. Compared to today's music, and celebrities I realize how lucky we were to have been young adults in the late 60's and early 70's. God bless you John, and Well done Yoko!
Rating:
Summary: Let There be No Provinciality in Music
Review: As one of his lyrics says, Lennon himself was someone big in the working class. But the working class was not and is still not restricted to the West, nor are the fans for John Lennon nor indeed the Beatles. He was big and exceedingly memorable in our time on this planet something that we all share. This DVD is a very good biography of John Lennon with loads of his photos when he was a small kid: of his home, his parents etc. And with the coming of the videos, we have ample clips of him singing or else in his own words, "doing time" watching the "wheels"... Without the consent of his wife, the viewers may not be able to have sight of them all. The video starts from his complaint (in his song) that his parents brought him into this lonely world (obviously without his consent) without giving him sufficient support: young Lennon felt he needed his parents more than they needed him! The tone was that of a rebel and was rather coarse. And then as seen from his lyrics, it was his wife who taught him "the meaning of success", something that we expect his parents or else his teachers to have done. Then in "Woman", his tone started to change. It became more and more tender and was wonderfully sublime in "Beautiful Boy". And then his attention turned to the injustice of this crazy world reaching a climax at "Happy X'mas" which was so ironic... Obviously, the focus changed from the meaning of success to the meaning of life itself. Even as an oriental, I take no delight in watching his wife on this DVD. But without his wife, John Lennon would not be the same. Maybe he would be better off, we really don't know. But the choice was purely his, and without his wife his songs would be very different. We won't be able to see lots of things here or anywhere else to start with... Since my love for music is not restricted to the classics, or the pop or even jazz, I feel touched by the life of Lennon even as depicted here or at least by the path that he had taken as shown here. And, other than fame and fortune, isn't his life essentially the same as ours after all: the same fluidity, the same fragility and the same stupidity, albeit at different spots on this lonely planet? The music here is great, and so precious are the pictures and the clips albeit that occasionally things had been inserted or deleted. But so long as Lennon was there, it is good enough. Photography was superb or even a bit far fetched, well, it is only a matter of taste after all. In any event, for those who don't have more authentic videos of John Lennon and if you are looking for a comprehensive and enjoyable overview of him, sound and sight, or even as a historical documentary, this might be the one for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Actually, 4.5 stars..What happened?
Review: First, it's hard to write a review after the great one Mark Jones did. A few pointers I wanted to point out having the "John Lennon Video Collection" on Laserdisc. I don't understand why Yoko messed with the original videos. All The videos from "Milk And Honey" are sadly replaced with what I feel inferior versions. Not the versions we all remember that comforted us after John's life was taken. The one thing I DID like was that they fixed the audio speed for "Slippin' & Slidin'". It was way too fast on the video collection. If you don't have the Video collection..track it down! It's worth keeping. Yoko oh Yoko, you messed it up again. Not to say there is some great footage here!
Rating:
Summary: Actually, 4.5 stars..What happened?
Review: First, it's hard to write a review after the great one Mark Jones did. A few pointers I wanted to point out having the "John Lennon Video Collection" on Laserdisc. I don't understand why Yoko messed with the original videos. All The videos from "Milk And Honey" are sadly replaced with what I feel inferior versions. Not the versions we all remember that comforted us after John's life was taken. The one thing I DID like was that they fixed the audio speed for "Slippin' & Slidin'". It was way too fast on the video collection. If you don't have the Video collection..track it down! It's worth keeping. Yoko oh Yoko, you messed it up again. Not to say there is some great footage here!
Rating:
Summary: 5.1 for lennon Legend
Review: German newspapers and television stations are not well excited on the new DVD "Lennon Legend" - DVD is released in Germany on October 27, 2003 - The tenor is, that this work is more an "ego trip" of Yoko and a mystification of John than a real cool music video or a dispute with a rebellious, contradictory, difficult musician. The media claimed, that the DVD has to owe an altogether rather sentimental note probably to the strong influence of Ono. It submits the picture free of fault of a husband who idolized his wife, maked silly things with kids, went on peace demoes and loved romantical walks in the Central Park. Would John Lennon wanted to remain so in memory? Much in the life of John Lennon speaks for the fact that he wanted to remain in such a way in memory. John said to the Rolling Stone 1980: "... but if they did not want us as pair, then we had also no more interest ". Basically the blueprint of his career as the ex Beatles had been it to merge Yoko actively in his music and performances. John identified himseld as no second in such a way with his wife. Yoko was John's muse and inspiration. John's rich artistical legacy lives on now - owing to Yoko. John's benediction this DVD is certainly sure. Well, the music and the videos are in its quality contradictory - like the life of the "Beatle John" also - evenly no pure compilation of "the very best of John Lennon". Because, where are "Remember", "Isolation" or "God"? But altogether this does not lead probably to the devaluation: Owing to the clear fresh music and owing to the amusing videos, this DVD without each doubt has deserved 5 of 5 stars. From the point of the taste of music this DVD is a must to have it in a collection and it is a good present as well to everybody, who loves pretty good 70s Rock'n'Roll Music.
To the evaluations in detail: - The music The most important element of this release is the music - and this is really known for John. Anyhow the sound is incredible: better ever The producers took carefully the possibilities of 5.1 surround sound - not overdosed, for example, one channel on both front speakers, the other on both back speakers, the third channel on the center speaker: A special kind of surround sound - really. Most Songs are not faded out - this provides a certain charm. The songs are fresh and clear: Thus one did not hear "Imagine" anyhow ever. Impressing the recording of "Mother" are simply brilliant, as well "Watching the Wheels" and "Happy XMAS". - The videos Combining music and film was a passion of John and Yoko very early. Some of the DVD videos were completely revised and brought into a form up-to-date. Others were produced particularly for the DVD - these are the strongest and most emotional films, like for example: "Mother" - in the rhythm of the music black-and-white pictures from John's complicated relations life with parents, wife and children over the screen float. The perfect symbiosis from music and picture. "Working Class Hero" - played and original scenes from John's lives give the optical framework to one of the strongest Lennon Songs. Moving the recall of the assassination: In a scene the Cover is shown, which signed John at the day of death for his murderer. Into the next scene a blood drop falls on the first side of the novel "The Catcher into the Rye" from J.D. Salinger. Chapman was possessed of this book and referred from it inspiration for his senseless act. The next scene showed some press reports on John Lennon's death. "Happy XMAS" - the video is already now very disputed - one may show such war scenes? Now the song reveals its true message probably only with these pictures. A song, that in the last years in the conjunction with "Wonderful Christmas time" (of Paul McCartney) and "Last Christmas" (of Wham!) on various Rock Christmas compilations came down to a Flower Power sentimental song. The film shows dead, mutilated children, crying parents on the one as on the other side of the "front". The wrong, the misery is everywhere. The film shows rubble and dust clouds. It shows people, those before it flees in the Iraq, like in Manhattan. The message is clearly - the war is (only) over - if we (all) want it. Weak is actually only "Cold Turkey" - the absolutely brilliant studio recording of this Rocker does not fit in with the footage snippets of the "One ton One Concerts". - The special features The extra songs in the special feature are "only" PCM Stereo. Strong is also here again "Working Class Hero". This special Anthology version is bristling with well-known interview footage snippets, in which John tells about his life. Together with the pictures this is surely one of the shortest Lennon biographies. The fact, that the last Live performance of John Lennon is on these Compilation, has surely its authorization - although "Imagine" was somewhat emotionless presented. Animations of John's drawings and a photo gallery are nice gimmicks - no "Must" on this DVD. - The menu technology and the artwork The menu is structured clear and works up-to-date. Was tried also here to present John not as a Flower Power Hippie but as an artists, whose music and statements have straight today its authorization. The Artwork is simple. The Booklet is similarly as that the CD. The inside of the Inlays shows a picture gallery. Detailed information to the songs (over the usual credits) and to the videos are completely missing in the booklet and on the DVD - actually harm.
Rating:
Summary: Fitting Tribute
Review: Great sound and nice to see a new mix of video with the old. I haven't shed a tear for John since 1980 but the Starting Over video blew me away and made me a little weepy. Great disc!
Rating:
Summary: Rick and Roll Heaven
Review: I am mostly peeved and peevish at the guy who thought this dvd was all Yoko and a scam. I say to that goat, "yer bloody wrong."
I just got the dvd from Amazon.com and I am extremely pleased. It brought tears to my eyes a few times. I had a few crates of ale and decided to put it in the machine and see what's what and man, this is an event! God bless Yoko for having the balls to open up those archives and give the world a little gift. I love it! I won't wake up tomorrow and think differently. What a trip! I love this dvd and if you are a Lennon fan, you otter buy it. If you don't, you're a dolt. Sorry to be mean. I am so amazed at this dvd. Animations coming to life. All this stuff. It's got me on sensory overload. What a good thing, after a long and pointless week digging up dandilions and waiting for the foodstamps. It ain't all about Yoko. It's about love. Their love. Their love, after all, spawned the songs, most of them. So why not show Yoko during the song? That other guy, whomever he was and wherever he was, stop your complaining. Yoko gave you a gift and you're looking at a gift horse in the mouth.
Rating:
Summary: John Lennon Yoko-ized
Review: I can't deny that Yoko Ono had a major inspirational part in John Lennon's post Beatles years. However, this creative effort by Yoko Ono to possibly pay tribute her dear partner has been sadly tainted. There are a few footages that remain intact, such as the Whatever Gets You Through the Night, Imagine, and Instant Karma videos. But as for the other videos, I must admit I was disappointed that the orginal footage for the Woman video was tampered with news footage of John Lennon's death(watch closely the collage of extra photos that were included in the new cut). I believe John wrote the song for Yoko and their companionship, but the video did not depict that scenario. Unfortunately, it was depressing to watch as well as the Merry XMAS, War Is Over video,which did not fair much better. However, on the bright side, I enjoyed the rarely seen Slippin and a Slidin and Imagine performances. I recommend this video to any knock-out Beatles or John Lennon fan. As John sings: Power to the people and the world will be as one.
Rating:
Summary: I cried, I smiled watching Legend
Review: I can't help but get teary-eyed watching post-beatles footage of John Lennon...I was 7 years old when he was murdered and will never forget being awakened by my mother screaming and crying when they inturrepted TV to announce this horrorific tragety...Beatles music has always been played in my house--they are legends and their music NEVER gets old..John was always my favorite Beatle..some of his music was always kinda like DALI,(like on rubber soul thru the magical msyery tour) but in an audio interpetation...I really thought it was great that after his heydey with the Beatles, He used his celebrity to encourage peace and to make the world a better place.hereally was a great, passionate man..it's sad that we all losted out to see what else john could have did musicly & politicly to touch our lives ..all this can be seen on this dvd with Imagine, Give Peace a Chance and Power to the poeple plus the little hair peace/bed peace clip...it's sad that after almost 25 years after Lennon's death,we still are subjected to war (iraq), terrorism (9-11), murder of another musician (dimebag darrell) and massive natural destruction resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths in asia and india with the earthquake...On a lighter note, it is great to hear such touching Lennon songs like Woman and Mother backed with a great visual retrospect of lennon's life as an individual and devoted husband to yoko and father to sean...it also includes the cool rocker cold turkey, the poppy just like starting over and the great lennon classics jealous guy & instant karma...this dvd is perfect for both the die hards & a person who just wants a visual hits collection..it's a great package with great remastered footage and top notch sound both in 5.1 & stereo...definate 5 stars!!! Peace!
Rating:
Summary: Lennon Legend DVD
Review: I Do Believe it's Getting Better!
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Yes I Purchased The New John Lennon DVD "LENNON LEGEND" Very Very Cool. Excellent Job. Excellent Audio & The New Video Versions Have Some Awesome Visual Surprises. Are You A John Lennon Fan? Then You Just Cannot Be Without This Baby. I Watched It Three Times And Everytime I Watch It I See New Things Magically. Wild! Intresting, It's Not The Same Ole Thing. 20 New Video Tracks With Delicately Mixed & Mastered Audio. This DVD Includes Special Features Too! Live And Conceptual. Folks Get The DVD Today! Don't Miss Out. On a Personal Note: John Lennon Will Forever Be In My Heart, Eyes, Ears & Soul. I Thank Yoko Ono For Her Heartfelt & Honorary Continuation Of Bringing All Of Us The Best New Footage & Audio Goods. A special Peace Sign Also Too Sean & Julian Lennon From Robert Myron MacKinnon (Bahama Kin) If You Want the Absolute Best? Buy This John Lennon "LENNON LEGEND" DVD Today From AMAZON.COM.
PEACE
Robert Myron MacKinnon (Bahama Kin)
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