Marc Bolan T Rex Born to Boogie The Motion Picture DVD (NR) +Movie Reviews

Superb on All Counts

Jonathan Drake | Lincoln, NE United States | 05/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD finally brings together not only the restored BORN TO BOOGIE, but also a multitude of extras, including two live concerts in which Bolan and his associates are at their peak. It's interesting to contrast the two performances; in the 5:30 show, the acoustic set is much stronger; in the 8:30 show, the electric stuff is sensational, leading off with a rousing version of CADILLAC. The restoration of the image from 16mm is absolutely first rate; most of the footage was rescued, along with the original stereo recordings, from 100s of rusting film cans in Ringo's garage. Tony Visconti, who worked with Bolan during his key era, did the remastering of the soundtrack, and it's absolutely remarkable; no distortion, and great presence. There are also interview extras, a long piece on the restoration of the film, outtakes with Elton John and Ringo during a jam session, and much, much more. As someone who saw T Rex three times in the US (at their first Carnegie Hall gig, which was a triumph, though the audience simply didn't get it; at the Palladium in NYC on 14th street, where Bolan pleaded with the audience to no avail to "get it on," and finally at a tragic gig at a dump called The Joint in the Woods in New Jersey, shortly before his untimely death), I've always felt that Bolan was severely underrated. Now, here's the proof in 2005 that T Rex, which during its heyday was responsible for 25% of all record sales in the UK (yes, that's right), was one of the masters. Buy, enjoy, and play loud. The movie itself is something of a mess, with a number of useless fantasy sequences that don't come off, but the two concerts more than make up for it; this is rock and roll history, and a copy of this should be an essential in every collection."

Now you can show everyone what we've known for years!

Aaron L. Pincus | State College, PA | 06/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally! Given T-Rex was under-appreciated in the U.S., I've always been asked what Marc Bolan and the boys were all about! Now I can simply play this wonderful 2-disk dvd and show everyone. This is the ultimate for any Bolan fan. The production is beuatiful, the sound is fantastic, and you get many additional extras including an excellent look into the restoration process, interviews with producer Tony Visconti and Marc's son, Rolan.

Filmed by Ringo Starr for Apple Films, the DVD includes the original theatrical release of Born to Boogie, as well as full coverage of the 5:30PM and 8:30PM Wembley Pool concerts. The movie has its moments, the highlight being a splendid run through Children of the Revolution in the studio with Elton John and Ringo sitting in. That version is even better than originally released single. I could do without the rest of the surreal fantasy scenes that interrupt the concert footage, but it reflects the same playful strangeness seen in Magical Mystery Tour. Given both concerts are included in their entirety, you lose nothing even though 3 songs from the 8:30 show don't make the original movie.

As for the music, it's absolutely peak T-Rex. As was the norm for 1972, both the early and late shows are 1-hour and have the same set list. Nonetheless, they are markedly different. The 5:30 show is a bit ragged, and Bolan is plagued with microphone problems (he literally has to follow the swaying microphone back and forth while singing Telegram Sam). In addition, Bolan's guitar is turned too low in the first show and the rest of the band seem a bit stiff. Yet, it still reflects a band at its creative apex (having hit it big with Electric Warrior and completed many tracks for The Slider). The second show is AWESOME and worth the purchase by itself! The band is tight, Marc's guitar is loud and driving, and the energy exchanged between Bolan and the crowd drives the set forward to increasingly intense musical peaks. I did notice that Tony Visconti (who mixed the DVD) adds some subtle lead guitar lines here and there that are clearly not being played by Marc on stage, but this is not a distraction and there are plenty of true leads played, especially as the late show fires up. The songs are as fresh today as they were in the 1972 days of T-Rexstacy. What's great is that T-Rex fans get the total live experience they've craved for years AND the unfamiliar viewer will finally "get it" and "get it on" with Marc and T-Rex. As an avid fan for over 30 years, I can finally say "I'm satisfied!" You will be too!"

BOLANS HOLY GRAIL

M. Richards-warley | West Palm BEach | 05/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow..this is awesome!! Currently on vacation here in jolly olde England and just had to buy this DVD !! You will not be disapointed..its the ULTIMATE BOLAN EXPERIENCE !!Whoever put this together deserves a Knighthood..its not just the Born To Boogie movie which has been cleaned up and looks Fab..sounds Fab

.Us Rexers have seen it a million times on poor VHS or Bootleg..Its the Extras that just blow you away...The 5.30 afternoon concert is Bolan at his best..the colors, sound, energy is unbeleivable.Marc was only 24 when he strutted his stuff and boy does he look likes hes having a blast.I forgot how Beautiful Mickey Finn was..its such a shame that they are no longer here..

How this film has rotted in a basement for the last 33 years is a crime.Top Hats off to Rolan, Sanctuary, Martin Barden and" all the cats..you know who you are" for having the balls and passion to bring this out for the masses.It must have cost a fortune to clean up and I hope it sells by the truckload.

I was a Bolan Childe in the 70s and seeing this wonderous 5 hours today brought a tear to my aged eyes..it really was like 1972 again and I hope the star that Marc was/is will still be allowed to shine..big time.

Thanks Ringo for giving your blessing and especially to Rolan who never got the chance to really know his Father...remember Marc made SO many people happy..as he says in the film."your'e my People"...pass the kleenex.

Sorry to ramble but this is the Bolan Holy Grail..so much to see,feel and just be..there are so many jewels in this crown...BUY it ..darken the room,open the champagne and ROCK On..You will not be sorry ..honest.."

It's Wonderful

David E. Weintraub | 03/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, I'm not a huge T Rex fan, or I shoueld say, I wasn't one before I purchased this DVD. I randomly came across it on my TV for; it was being given away as part of a fundraiser for Public TV. I bought it the next day, since I really didn't care about Long Island Public TV, being from Jersey.

That said, the DVD is amazing. Bolan is a light that shines, and one I didn't know enough about.

The movie portion, "Born to Boogie" is a bit weird, in the Pink Floyd kinda way, yet more comical. The Elton John and Ringo Starr parts are very interesting. But for me it's more about the two LIVE concerts that accompany the DVD. Both are amazing.

The energy Bolan brings to the table, the camera angles, the footage, the sound, everything. It's just awesome. He exudes fun, life, and graciousness.

The audience is blown away by his music and vibe, and frankly, that's what did it for me.

Anyone who is a fan of singer songwriters, whether it be Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley, Stephen Malkmus, or even Gene Ween, will absolutely love this DVD.

"

Beyond stunning; beyond essential

Michael Topper | Pacific Palisades, California United States | 06/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The past year has been a banner one for Bolan fans, what with the proper remastering of the Tyrannosaurus Rex catalogue and now the release of Born To Boogie in a special 2-disc deluxe edition, with extras so astounding you wonder why such sensational, historic footage lay dormant in warehouses for 33 years. First, the film itself is probably rock'n'roll's greatest lost classic: originally only seen in the UK in 1972 and then given a brief VHS appearance in the early 90s, it's considered a Holy Grail for Bolan fans, containing as it does exhilirating footage of his career-capping Wembley performance with a great superstar jam w/Ringo and Elton John (including a scorching "Tutti Frutti" and vastly superior take on "Children Of The Revolution"), and the famous/infamous "Mad Hatter's Tea Party" sequence where Bolan plays elegant acoustic versions of his most sexually provacative songs to himself, Mickey Finn, Ringo and a group of nuns eating hamburgers at John Lennon's Ascot estate. There's real fireworks here, as Bolan (who was at the absolute peak of his powers in the spring of '72 when all this was filmed) plays the rock-god icon to the hilt. Indeed, this isn't just a "lost" classic but one of the best rock films period, and some recent reviewers have been moved to comment that the teen riot seen here makes arch-rival Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" film (admittedly a great film and performance in its own right) look like a wake.

It would have sufficed many fans who have been hankering for a proper version of this out-of-print goodie to simply have the film back with restored video and sound, and that has been done here. But, much like what occured with Led Zeppelin's DVD set,

researchers spent years combing the vaults for additional outtake footage, and what they found simply blows the mind. In addition to the complete 8:30 Wembley show featuring three superb tracks not seen in the film, the entire 5:30 matinee show was also found. Although the setlist is the same, it is fascinating to compare the two: the matinee performance features Bolan in a fetching blue outfit, being ever-so-slightly more reserved and serious in his playing (but still a total fireball), while the evening show is rife with delirious over-the-top abandon, Bolan laughing it up and showing off for the crowd, knowing he is king of UK pop. Both shows are amazing in their own fashion and although the same songs are played, several of the performances differ ("Cadillac" and "Get It On" feature very different guitar jams, while "Cosmic Dancer" is Finn-less in the matinee show).

Besides this there is also a fine documentary made by Bolan's son Rolan in which he interviews many of the participants to the spectacle; the interview with Tony Visconti is the most illuminating, and it is also of interest to see what Bolan's 29-year old son is like these days. Then there's more outtake footage of the "Tutti Frutti" and "Children Of The Revolution" sequences with Elton, and perhaps the icing on the cake: a long-lost film of one of the earliest Tyrannosaurus Rex performances from the autumn of '67, performing "Sarah Crazy Child" in what looks like London's Middle Earth club. This footage is absolutely priceless to Bolan fanatics like myself; the cool beatnik/hippie atmosphere, the liquid light show in the back, and the scant but mesmerized audience all bring one right back to those heady underground days. People like Tony Visconti and John Peel knew that Bolan was a star from the moment they met him; watch this footage and see if you can see the star quality in the making...

There's also extensive documentaries on the restoration, and although what they did with the video and sound is astounding, you probably won't watch these more than once. The Easter Egg footage is a four-minute compilation of Bolan's 1972 home movies shown while the song "Born To Boogie" plays. All in all, this is a DVD you will be playing over and over again, obsessing over every detail, soaking up Bolan's mythical aura in glittery,

glorious technicolor and 5.1 surround sound, mouth wide open at the unbelieveable fan mania on display. For years Bolan's status in the US has been that of one-hit wonder and cult hero, a mere footnote (albeit an important and critically respected one) in rock history; this re-release of "Born To Boogie" deserves to singlehandly put him right up there with Elvis, The Beatles, Hendrix and Zeppelin as a total rock icon. Although T.Rex's reign was relatively brief (about 2 1/2 years from Oct 1970 to June 1973--but hey, Hendrix's wasn't much more than that, was it?), it changed the world forever."

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	Marc Bolan T Rex Born to Boogie - The Motion Picture Genres: Music Video & Concerts NR 2006 2hr 15min Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music) Release Date: 06/20/2006
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