Search - The Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter [Criterion Collection] on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Violence, Brief Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Drug Content Movie Release: 1970 DVD Release: 11/14/2000 Format: DVD - Pan and Scan Edition: Dual Layered,Restored/Remastered,Special Collection Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 31 mins Studio: Criterion Members Wishing: 31 Genres: Culture & Society, Music, Concerts, Social History, Vocal Music See Also: Gimme Shelter [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

This musical documentary concerns the Rolling Stones and their tragic free concert at Altamont Speedway near San Francisco in early December 1969. The event was all but destroyed by violence that marked the end of the peace and love euphoria of the 1960s. The night began smoothly, with the supercharged Flying Burrito Brothers opening up for the Rolling Stones and performing the truck-driving classic "Six Days on the Road" and Tina Turner giving a sensually charged performance. But on this particular evening, the Stones made the fateful (and disastrous) decision to hire the Oakland chapter of the Hell's Angels motorcycle gang as bodyguards and bouncers. It was a foolhardy, careless choice that turned the night into an unmitigated disaster; halfway through the Stones' act, the Angels killed one black spectator, and injured several others who were present (including Jefferson Airplane's lead singer Marty Balin). In the film, we watch Mick Jagger -- ere an ebullient, charismatic performer of bisexual charm -- reduced to standing on stage like a frightened child with his finger in his mouth in wake of the violence. Unsurprisingly, the Grateful Dead refused to perform after the violence erupted; the picture ends on a despairing note, with the Stones repeatedly watching a film of the murder. Celebrated documentarians Albert and David Maysles directed and Haskell Wexler shot the film, with heightened instinct and control; as a result, this film is considered one of the greatest rock documentaries ever made. Stones songs performed include "Brown Sugar," "Under My Thumb," and "Sympathy for the Devil." ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

The Rolling Stones concert at Altamont will forever be remembered as one of the most frightening moments in rock & roll history. Gimme Shelter documented that night with chilling cinéma vérité accuracy. Criterion has delivered the film to DVD in a package that exceeds the expectation of any fan. The disc offers a standard full-frame transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1. English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, and Dolby Digital Stereo. English subtitles are accessible. The exhaustive, generous supplemental materials include a commentary track by directors Albert Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin, and their associate Stanley Goldstein. Their enlightening and entertaining comments are relevant from both a filmmaking and a gossipy backstage standpoint. Also available on this disc are never-before-seen concert footage from the band, backstage footage, a still photograph gallery, and trailers for both the original film and the 30th anniversary re-release. A 44-page booklet containing a series of well-written essays accompanies the package. In the nicest historical touch on the disc, Criterion has included a large portion of the broadcast done by KSAN a day after the concert occurred. This is simply a spectacular disc that is a must-own for rock & roll enthusiasts. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide