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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 |
 "Actually worth 4 stars"Nice stuff. I would have given 4 satrs becouse the new Led Zep DVD has much more footage and doesnt break away from the satge as much. I just can't rate Zep anything less then the highest allowed.  "Better off with the 2003 set"Every so often, I get an urge to rent this movie...and as hard as I try, I can help but nod off during "Dazed and Confused". I used to feel ashamed...and then I'd be talking to people and I realized I wasn't alone! There are some truly great moments in this show ("Since I've Been Loving You" and "No Quarter" among others), but the poor camera work (very choppy and WAY too much time pointed at Plant's crotch), the dream sequences and the more "mainstream" song selection make this one a yawn-fest. THANK GOD for the new Zeppelin set! A version of Dazed and Confused recorded when they were still interested in playing it!! Much better than the version here. This one is for avid, die-hards only. If you want quality and more album cuts, get the new one.... "Excellent concert film of Zep despite what naysayers say"Led Zeppelin's classic concert film and live album The Song Remains the Same was released in October of 1976. This film was made in July of 1973 during the band's Houses of the Holy tour during the band's four or so night stand at New York's Madison Square Garden and in later 1973 with filmed fantasy sequences filmed around the band's native England. The reason for this film and its offshoot album, was because frontman Robert Plant was in a serious car accident that nearly killed him and his family in 1975. Because of his injuries, there was no tour to support the Presence album. Instead, guitarist Jimmy Page decided to resurrect this concert films/tapes filmed and recorded in 1973. The film intertwined live performances with unique fantasy sequences. We see bass player John Paul Jones as some masked marauder leading a brutal mission on horseback. Plant played a Celtic hero who sails a boat and rides a horse to save a fair maiden only to have her vanish before his eyes. The person who handed Robert the sword was his then-wife Maureen. Page played a young soul climbing up a mountain and also played the Hermit of the Tarot recreating the inner sleeve of Zep IV. Finally, drummer John Bonham was himself showing off his automobile collection and car racing and hanging with his family. I first saw this film in October, 1985 and subsequently got its soundtrack on cassette for my 10th birthday in January of 1986. I own both the DVD and CD. I like it quite a bit. Although the band members were not happy with this live effort, many fans disagreed. What I like best about TSRTS are the fact that it includes great, rocking versions of Rock and Roll, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You and The Song Remains the Same(first half of Plant's fantasy sequence), as well as epic long versions of No Quarter(where Jonesy's fantasy sequence took place), The Rain Song(second half of Plant's fantasy sequence), Dazed and Confused(which was filled with lots of interesting guitar/elecronic sound effects and Page bowing his guitar and also Page's fantasy segment), Moby Dick(Bonzo's best drum solo appears here and Bonzo's filmed sequence), Stairway to Heaven(which decimates the studio version) and of course Whole Lotta Love which kicked serious ass especially with the 50s rock and roll medley thrown in. I know some people really don't like extremely long rock songs(Yes, ELP, Rush and Pink Floyd were notorious for it), but if you don't mind sitting and listening for about half an hour with an open ear and mind, the live recordings and the film kick ass. Some gripe that this movie sucked but I loved it! "Cry-Babies SHUT UP!"I don't know why I do this, just because I'm a Zepplein freak I guess. I just can't let another "Zeppelin weren't very good this night" comment slide. People who write that just don't know what they are talking about, period. Yes, we thankfully have the new DVD, and the West Was Won CD, but to say that they couldn't cut it on Song Remains Same is just a flat out LIE. To be fair, YES, there is some cutting of performances using video footage from different nights and things like that, and there is the "fantasy" footage that may or may not bug you. BUT, there is plenty of live music and live video to show you Zeppelin flying high in all of its glory! The bow sequence alone during Dazed is EPIC, Jimmy is channeling the music from somewhere, who knows where! Anyway you cut it, the band is in AMAZING form, pure and simple, and if you are unable to be moved by this performance, that is ok I guess, but you should stick to your Sinead O'Connor records and other "brilliant" "artists" of the like.  "Good film"An unintentionally funny film this. John Paul Jones' scenes are particularly hilarious. If you notice Bonham's scenes are very macho and not at all "fantasy" sequences like Plant and Page. The tracks are for some reason very quiet (compared to the Madison Square Garden songs on How The West Was Won DVD) and on some Plant sounds quite croaky. If you've watched it a lot you'll find the entire movie is strangely put together (the editing for instance).Since I've Been Loving You and an emotional Rain Song are the highlights for me at least. It just lacks the power that Led Zep had on stage. |
