Rating: 
Summary: One of the best concert films of all time, but only IF...
Review: Please ignore the Director's Cut !We are fortunate that the original concert film is included on the DVD. Go directly there - it is in "features". The Director's Cut pretty much destroys all the virtues of the original terrific film. One of the best aspects of the original film is that you see each vocal, solo, etc. completely without the distraction of other scenes, and thus it gave you the feel of being there. This was aided by the exclusive use of tracks for the cameras, so any motion was a slow pan, much as if you yourself were walking across the front of the stage. This is all ruined - in the Director's Cut - by using footage from outer space and the studio. Plus, some of the footage is simply not in the Director's Cut, like the opening footage of the stage being setup, and the very slow zoom into the stage. And, to top it off, the "widescreen" aspect of the Director's Cut is simply cropping (so it is not "OAR") - for example, in the great guitar solo in Echoes, the Director's Cut cuts off the left hand on the guitar in many scenes. So, in short, Pink Floyd fans should buy this for the superb versions of Echoes and Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun, and go straight to the original version in the "Extras".
Rating:
Summary: Floyd climbing to their career peak
Review: I saw Pink Floyd at Pompeii in 1979 at a midnight theater show in college. It was part of a double show, the other being Flesh Gordon. Needless to say, very few in the crowd were there to see the Floyd. However, for a minority (including myself), the film
had quite an impact. I had to wait years to find the VHS version, but once I did, it was played over and over. I was always intrigued by the shots of the Pompeii ruins, artwork, bubbling mudpits, and lava flows intertwined with the soundscapes of Floyd classics, especially Set the Controls and Careful with that Ax Eugene. It provides a powerful atmosphere of isolation and despair. Unfortunately, in the DVD version, Adrien Maben has inserted some space footage (planets and spaceship) and other modern imagery (Naples) that distracts from the original mood of the theatre version. The DVD does contain some extra footage of interviews and Dark Side sessions, but the real power of the film is the concert footage. Fortunately, the DVD has an option for concert footage only. This is a must for all serious Floyd fans, and anyone who is intersted in their pre Dark Side phase. The performances of Echoes, Ax, and Set the Controls are probably the best ever recorded. Get the headphones, turn out the the lights, put on the Concert Footage option, and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: "visual experience is worth its weight in gold ~ Pink Floyd"
Review: Hip-O Records presents "Pink Floyd:Live at Pompeii", from the concert featuring original cues from the legendary foursome performing classic originals. Sit back and enjoy the classic performances by one of the great performers of our time. Entire concert is a standout with the magnum opus "A SAUCEFUL OF SECRETS", "CAREFUL WITH THAT AXE EUGENE" and "SET THE CONTROLS FOR THE HEART OF THE SUN". A few of these "live" renditions are better than their studio predecessors, such as the two part "ECHOES PART II" ~ and the puzzling "MADEMOISELLE NOBS". This is one of those great things about concert films ~ it allows a band to see how they come off visually, and gives them a chance to improve their appeal. Only with "At Pompeii," Pink Floyd takes that mirror-element and uses it to further display their innovations in music. Hats off to Adrian Maben (director), Universal Music and all the staff who had a hand in bringing this to the fans. A must have for all who have followed the careers of each musician that we know as PINK FLOYD! Total Time: 171 mins ~ Universal Music B0001315 ~ (10/21/2003)
Rating:
Summary: On DVD at last!!!
Review: It's great to finally own this Pink Floyd classic on DVD in it's finest glory. The Video transfer is fabulous. I never imagined it could look anything but VHS-scratchy. Now I can finally watch it as much as I want without fear of wearing out the tape.
The only down side to it is the Director's cut. Pink Floyd's fan who have never seen the original might not have a problem with the new material but, to any fan of the original the new shots in the Director's cut are cheesy and distracting. Luckily both versions are included on the DVD, so you have the opportunity to watch both and make up your own mind. Along with both versions of the film, there are a slew of extra features such as a documentary, lyrics, photo gallery and other "Odds N' Sods." All in all this is a must-have, for both new and experienced Pink Floyd fans. peace.
Rating:
Summary: To: A viewer
Review: This DVD is incredible. I would recommend it any fan. And Pink Floyd never went "bubblegum-mainstream pop" in their career. DSOTM was written at a time when David Bowie and T-Rex were taunting their pop fantasys' and PF wrote an amazing album with things we all experience everyday. It had the lyrics, music, and an incredible concept that was shown so incredibly. PF never gave up, sold out, or wrote easily-digestible-by-the-masses ablums. Roger Waters is one of the greatest lyricists' of all time and PF worked unbelievably hard to mold all their work to their vision. At no time did they make music like any other. As far as selling out goes, they never did it. Stanley Kubrick wanted "Echoes" for 2001: A Space Odyessy and PF told him no. They did do soundtrack albums but they did the whole album from scratch and soon after released those albums under their name. The only people that Roger Waters allows to recreate "The Wall" in theatrical form is young school children, not even college students. Their albums were never easily-digestible either. The song "Pigs (3 different ones)" from "Animals" was about Mary Whitehouse and how she tried to keep their "...feelings off the street." PF was never just trying to make a lot of money. They used to buy entire blocks in a town and give all the homes to those who could not afford them. They gave to charity and did a lot to help those who could not help themselves. When Roger Waters played "The Wall" on the Berlin Wall he donated all profits to charity. Keep in mind that there were four hundred thousand people at that show. PF doesn't try to brag about how they are generous because they are extremely humble, unlike U2. Yes they wrote some songs lamenting the life of being rich pop stars but don't forget they charitable things they did with a lot of that money and just because they are huge rock stars doesn't mean they enjoy it, if you analzye some lyrics you would understand that. Stardom just came with their amazing music, they would have made it even if no one was listening. (...)
Rating:
Summary: Finally re-released on DVD!! A must have!!
Review: If you are a pink floyd fan, then this a must have especially for the behind the scenes during the making of darkside of the moon. I have watched my VHS copy hundreds of times and kept waiting for a DVD version to come out. This DVD is definitely a must buy for anyone who appreciates pink floyd, you won't be dissapointed!!
Rating:
Summary: A great transition from old PF to the classic era.
Review: A classic concert film set on the backdrop of an ampitheatre in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, until recently it was only available on VHS. Now, the film has recieved the DVD update and I'm quite pleased with it. An assortment of earlier Pink Floyd songs are played by the band, including "Careful With That Axe Eugene", "One Of These Days" and "Echoes". While I am disappointed that the audio is only stereo, it sounds better than it ever did on VHS. The film itself is rather interesting, mixing footage of planets and other space exploration with shots of the band and the destroyed city of Pompeii. The footage of Pompeii is best used during the beginning of "Echoes, Part 2". Overall, it is a decent upgrade of the original film, featuring just enough new stuff to warrant a re-release. A great insight into Pink Floyd just before they hit their peak, and for a good price too!
Rating:
Summary: Am looking forward to this
Review: ...I lost interest in PF when they went bubblegum-mainstream pop with DSOTM-but between SAUCERFUL and OBSCURED they were pioneers who went against the flow and made some really great, creative uncompromising music.
-after that they gave up, sold out, and wrote easily-digestible-by-the-masses pablum to make the big buck$$$
which is why it is so funny to hear them write songs lamenting the life of being rich pop stars-they got into THAT predicament themselves...
Rating:
Summary: DVD Version Has Its Pros and Cons
Review: The DVD version of Live At Pompeii has sound and visual quality that is far better then the VHS version, along with much more interview material. A lot of the film shows the band just hanging out while Adrian Maben (the director) trys to conduct a serious interview. Instead of answering his questions the band poke fun and tell him to relax and just let the conversation flow smoothly. They have added a lot of digital scenery that wasn't in the original version, such as a lot of outer space shots of the planets swirling around, at first I was discouraged, I just wanted to see the band in action, but the scenes aren't too long and it fits the music quite well. Unfortunatley there is very little more footage of the band working on Dark Side Of The Moon, just the same with Roger on the synth doing "On The Run" Rick on the piano for Us and Them, Dave and Roger both on Brain Damage and Eclipse. Even though they do play live in second biggest ampitheater (Colliseum the biggest) the voices are dubbed in a studio and there is signifigant footage of this. Good thing though because in those days Pink Floyd couldn't sing well at all. All in all this is a great DVD, a must have for any Pink Floyd fan or even any concert fan.
Rating:
Summary: Out Of This World
Review: I owned the VHS of this show, but the tape's gone all bad & I'm eagerly waiting for the DVD...The absence of spectators adds to the overall haunting effect...though this is pre-Waters domination time, one can strongly feel the Waters influence in the music, though everyone plays marvellously, the improvisations reaching a fantastic high never before seen with ANY other band...the concert(yes, concert)makes me rate Gilmour as one of the best guitarists of all times, if not THE best...Mason on the drums during "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun" & "One Of These Days" is breathtaking...the choice of location just adds to the magnificence of the spectacle...I rate this as an immortal classic. I wish the guys get back together...split apart, though good, they cannot recreate the magic without each other. YES!A Must Buy!
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