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Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same Actors: John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant Directors: Peter Clifton, Joe Massot Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen Format: Color, Dolby, Widescreen Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Running Time: 136 minutes Studio: Warner Studios Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 1999-12-21 Buy from Amazon |
 "Zeppelin"I am a Huge Zeppelin fan. I like this film alot, it has tons of good shots. The newer Zeppelin film is definitely better. It covers the early career of the band. While "The Song Remains The Same" is a show from the latter years. Good film,recommended for REAL fans though. Otherwise pick up the other two disc dvd for about the same $$ "4.5 Stars - Classic Zeppelin performance with weird movie interludes"[This review also refers to the CD 'The Song Remains The Same' soundtrack and so this review appears on that product also] There is little that hasn't already been said about Led Zeppelin. Simply one of the greatest bands of all time, their studio albums are one amazing collection, however, the one thing that lacks with the band's catalogue is recorded live material. Led Zeppelin, for all their popularity and fame, were a pretty camera shy band who avoided giving interviews and releasing live footage of them playing. However, for many years, the one exception to this was 'The Song Remains The Same' movie, released in 1976, which combined the band playing live at Madison Square Garden in 1973 with various other scenes in between. Since this film's release nearly 30 years ago, there have been recent releases of the band live which supercede this DVD. These include the awesome 'Led Zeppelin' double DVD and the 'How The West Was Won' soundtrack both released in 2003. However, in perspective, 'The Song Remains The Same' still remains an awesome live document and should not be ruled out. Some reviewers seem to have bashed this release with comments such as relating to the fact the concert footage is intermingled with scenes of the band at home and fantasy settings. I take these people's points however at the end of the day this DVD is a MOVIE not solely a LIVE MUSIC DVD. Also, when the scenes do eject away from the concert footage, the live music at the concert continues playing and so you still hear Led Zeppelin live even if the scene is concentrating on something else. Furthermore, the other scenes aren't all that bad. Some of them are just fantasy settings, whilst others are scenes of the band members at home and in other parts we even get interviews (including a 5 minute rant from manager Peter Grant at the concert; filmed backstage where he is rightfully complaining about fake posters being sold of the band). For the music on 'The Song Remains The Same' release, you really have two options. The first is to get the DVD, which gives you the full film, and therefore the music played, the live footage and the extra scenes. Alternatively, if you just want to hear what features on the film, buy the soundtrack CD which features the 9 live tracks which are played, plus the Bron-Yr-Aur intro and the 'Stairway To Heaven' studio version which plays at the end of the film. The actual Madison Square Garden concert from 1973 was one of Led Zeppelin's highlights in terms of their live career. All in all, 9 songs which they played there are captured in the film. The highlights have to be firstly, the almost half-hour long version of 'Dazed and Confused', where the band keep the song in suspense in miraculous style. 'No Quarter'. which features some whizz keyboard work from John Paul Jones and some great guitar solos played by Jimmy Page (during ths song, another fantasy scene ensues in the movie). John Bonham's drumming is furious and creative during the performance of 'Moby Dick' and the band's closing showcase of 'Whole Lotta Love' is a memorable finisher. All in all, the music itself is great. Eventhough I would never say this film DVD holds a candle to the recent Led Zeppelin DVD release and the 'How The West Was Won' live set, it is still an excellent film with some timeless captures of the band performing live at the time when they were at their peak. The concert is brilliant, the few interviews are good and the fantasy styled editions, yes are a little cheesy but aren't too bad non the less! For any Led Zeppelin fan, this DVD is a great extra for your collection.  "Towering musical document!"Led Zepellin is possibly inch by inch, the most complete, authentic and original rock band in the last sixties and seventies. From the riffs of Jimmy Page, to Bonham's drums. This concert on Madison Garden is not only a historical document but a timeless proof for the new generations who will born about the stature and presence of this heavy band. The ensemble, the original arrangements, the language and score of every one of his pieces will engage. I love from that age Moby Dick in which Bonham will give us a true tour de force, Lemon Song for instance, that was not played. I didn't like Whole lotta ` love , and to my mind Stairway to heaven, Rock& Roll and Moby Dick were the jewels of the crown. An unforgettable spectacle all the way.  "Not bad at the time"When 'The Song Remains the Same' came out in cinemas way back in 1976 Led Zeppelin were really giving fans an experience of them 'Live' but on the big screen. Unfortunally fast forward to the year 2003 & much anticipated "DVD" is the complete picture of the career from 1969 to Knebworth 1979. Granted it was released several years ago, but it really needs 5.1 sound mixed. Still good to watch but showing it's age in production / camerawork & lack of any editing. A Robert Plant DVD would be a worthy edition to my collection if one does finally get released. "An essential for any true Led Zeppelin fan."I'm as big a fan of Led Zeppelin as there is. I live for Jimmy Page's 25+ minute long solos, and John Bonham's pounding drums, and Robert Plant's ear ringing vocals. If you're a similar Led Zeppelin fan, this legendary DVD is an absolute essential for your collection. It combines the band's fascination with fantasy and folklore and their incredible onstage talent and poise. It also shows glimpses into real life, unedited, unstaged scenarios from the lives of the band members. I bought the other live Led Zeppelin DVD, "How The West Was Won" (an I strongly, strongly recommend that as well for any true Led Zeppelin fan. John Bonham's amazing 10 minute long improvised drum solo during "Moby Dick" in this DVD (The Song Remains The Same) is astonishing. Not only is what he does an amazing physical feat, but an incredible, ingenious musical feat as well. Jimmy Page gives one of his best performances I have ever seen in his 26 minute long version of Dazed And Confused, playing with the legendary violin bow. The songs performed on this DVD are: 1. Bron-Yr-Aur (studio version) --- 2:06 2. Rock And Roll --- 4:02 3. Celebration Day --- 3:49 4. The Song Remains The Same --- 5:53 5. The Rain Song --- 8:25 6. Dazed And Confused --- 26:52 7. No Quarter --- 12:30 8. Stairway To Heaven --- 10:57 9. Moby Dick --- 12:46 10. Whole Lotta Loave/medley --- 14:23 11. Stairway To Heaven (studio version) --- 8:02 |
