Rating: 
Summary: Lots To Like, But Lots Hidden
Review: If you are a fan of the Carpenters, this DVD will be a welcome addition to your collection. The disc offers quite a lot of information and footage: the documentary itself covers the Carpenters from their beginnings as a jazz trio to the A&M hits to Karen's tragic death at the age of 32. The disc has lots of extras too: A portion of the Carpenters performance at the White House, some of their commercials, and a listing of singles and albums in the discography section. Really a lot to like...Being a documentary, fans should understand that this is NOT a concert film. Some reviewers are upset that the songs aren't played in their entirety. Again, it's not a concert DVD. Buy the CD's. The biggest disappointment for me is the lack of understanding we come away with of Karen (and Richard too, for that matter). The DVD tells briefly about Karen's wedding, but doesn't even mention who she married!!! What was it that made Karen such a tragic figure? What is Richard doing now and how did the end of the Carpenters change his life? Maybe I'm asking for too much and maybe all this is still too painful for the family to deal with. I don't think fans are asking for tabloid-type reporting. I do think a lot of fans sincerely want to know what was going through Karen's mind, what demons she was dealing with and what Richard is dealing with now. Maybe that's too much for them to present to the general public. Be glad that the Carptenters gave us some great music and some great memories, many of which are captured on this DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Magic of the Duo
Review: If you believe that some people are born with a talent, Karen Carpenter proves this. Her deep, hauntingly beautiful voice had to have been a gift from God. Richard Carpenter's knack for creating number one hits from jingles and short movie themes is pure genius. This video chronicles the amazing career of two truly gifted superstars. I may be 22, but the Carpenters are my favorite group.
Rating: 
Summary: remembering karen carpenter
Review: If you just want to see a video about little flicks(not the whole song) when karen carpenter was alive then this dvd is for you, but if you are looking for the carpenter songs to listen to and sing along to then that wont happen. They start to play the video and you start singing and then they cut in with talking. VERY DISAPPOINTING, THIS DVD.
Rating:
Summary: very endearing, precious memory of the heavenly musical duo
Review: Like any fans of the Carpenters, anything about them-their music, their lives, their photos are treasured. The Carpenters ,despite all the sarcasm during their high times, inspired me and helped me develop my listening experience vocally and instrumentally. We all agree Karen's voice is heaven-sent as much as Richard is truly a musical genius. This vdo makes us love them both even more. It has shown us the respect the Carpenters earned from great artists and composers. And it doesn't dramatize what led Karen to her sad passing - which we have heard enough. What we need now is something to always treasure and this vdo is it ! I hope they'll make all their TV specials (eg:music music music) available soon. I'm sure Carpenters fans won't even have to think a second to have it.
Rating:
Summary: A must for any, even the most boardline, Carpenters fan.
Review: MPI Home Video does it again presenting this PBS special with footage that was deleted from the original broadcast. It has everything for the consumate Carpenters fan. If you read the book "Carpenters - The Untold Story" by Ray Coleman, the video includes a lot of what was in the book regarding their start and rise to fame and their personal struggles. The pluses are seeing and hearing them perform. From concert clips to their TV appearances, including a clip from Karen and Ella Fitzgerald performing This Masquerade and Karen's complete performance of Ava Maria from one of their Christmas specials. The video and sound quality is great and there is a complete (and I mean complete) discography of all Carpenters recordings including album covers and 45 sleeves in color. There is a rare glimse of their White House performance for Nixon and their Texas potato chip and Japanese soft drink commercials.
Rating:
Summary: It's more a biograph than music DVD
Review: NOT a music DVD. None of the songs is complete. They listed all the songs on the back cover of the DVD box but only play a small section of each song. I am pretty disappointed about that. However, if you want to know more about Carpentersand their history. This DVD is ok.
Rating:
Summary: It's more a biograph than music DVD
Review: NOT a music DVD. None of the songs is complete. They listed all the songs on the back cover of the DVD box but only play a small section of each song. I am pretty disappointed about that. However, if you want to know more about Carpentersand their history. This DVD is ok.
Rating:
Summary: Great Video
Review: One of the best put together information on Karen and Richard Carpenter You'll love the extra's added to the video. END
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Overview of a Legendary Performer
Review: Richard knew how to use his sister's voice well. He knew her range, limit, and potential. Karen lived up to Richard's expectations and in return, the world was given a great star. Say what you will about the Carpenters entire body of work but no matter the opinion, the Carpenters legacy will live on forever. Karen's voice will forever be unmatched as it is stilled by her sudden and tragic death. The dvd offers a glimpse of their body of work via clips, interviews, and snippits of video and promo film of their songs. Commercials featuring the Carpenters are here, as is a radio promo jingle. All recorded with catcy hooks and Karen's surreal warm voice. Memories of Karen are shared by Phil Ramone, Dorothy Hamill, Petula Clark, Paul Williams, John Bettis, and a host of others. There are snippits of the various Carpenters music specials and one that stands out is the Ella Fitzgerald/Karen medley recorded for "Music, Music, Music." Looking at the smile across Karen's face, she was thrilled to be performing with Ella, whose voice by the time of this special, became husky and was more an instrument of emtional interpretation. The rare Japanese commercials and the Morton potato chip company are here and are all catchy. With the dvd, there is an extended interview with Richard and a snippit of Karen singing "Merry Christmas Darling" from their Christmas special. Richard has gone on with his life and career, producing posthumus albums featuring work leads, outtakes, and unreleased live versions of their hits, and solo albums. Karen's solo album, produced in 1979 by Phil Ramone, was shelved until 1996. As of this writing, there is rumored another version of Karen's album is in the works featuring all the tracks recorded in New York.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for any Carpenters fan
Review: Some beautiful footage of the Carpenters performing that I haven't seen anywhere else. As an unrepentant adoring fan, there will never be enough footage of Karen. Her voice and performance charisma only fully come across in video. You have to SEE her sing to completely appreciate her songs. God!, I miss her.
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