I originally saw Live at Pompeii years ago then went on the hunt for the then out of print VHS. I have to say that as brilliant as the film is I am not a fan of the director's cut on the DVD with all the alternate clips (especially the new intro). Don't get me wrong, this is still an amazing must have for any Floyd fan. It documents the band after the Meddle album was released and right on the cusp of their major breakout (Dark Side of the Moon) which would officially end their psychedelic phase. The film gives a brilliant insight into the live and studio aspects of the Floyd which, as a musician, is always fascinating. If you like to see the inner workings of a band in the studio, performing live and on the road this film provides plenty. There are clips of the band recording Dark Side, interviews which provide a glimpse into how they perceived themselves and the evolution of the band (ex. Nick Mason saying they are all done because 1967 is long gone) and clips from the road with all the typical rock star banter and complaining ("And no crust!!!"). If you've never seen the original of this film then the newer DVD will probably be just as wonderful as the original is for me. I don't like change. Pink Floyd is a monumental rock band and this period of time for them shows some of the well thought out musical genius that was, and will always be Pink Floyd.

The idea. The scenario. The music. The performance. The Band. The greatest. I can only say that Pompeii and Pink Floyd talk for themselves. It transmitted me the complete idea of what Pink Floyd is...or was in that time. After seeing this movie every music lover will be you delighted and every Pink Floyd fan will be enlightened (and if you do not like music nor pink floyd at all don't bother continuing reading this commentary).The songs perfectly match the Greek amphitheatre, the space sequences shown, and every song was PERFECTLY performed, so exact, including the participation of a dog singin the blues in "Mademoiselle Nobs", Roger banging the gong with the sun behind (an amazing picture!!!), the speechless improvising between songs, that leaves you only with the desire of having been there when it all happened.It also contains some fragments of what was the beginning of the recording of the masterpiece "Dark Side of the Moon" and commentaries by the four, which you'll find very interesting and wise, which give you also the perspective of Pink Floyd by its members.Buy, beg, borrow or steal...(well, not steal), but see it right away cause Adrian Maben and Pink Floyd really hit the spot in this one.

In preparation for the Roger Waters concert held here in Malta yesterday night, I decided to watch this filmed relic of pre-superstardom Pink Floyd which I've taped off local TV several years ago. Obviously, the psychedelia--tinged songs including "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun" (which Waters also included in his Malta set) can't be faulted and the fact that the film offers a unique insight into the birth of the Floyd's magnum opus, "Dark Side Of The Moon" (1973) - which would forever change their fortunes and status in rock - would arguably make this essential viewing for serious rock fans everywhere.However, I have to say that the film as a whole was somewhat disappointing: starting from the fact that the title is a misnomer as this is not a filmed concert but rather a no-nonsense rehearsal, since only members of the crew (the band's and the film's) are present on the strikingly picturesque site of the Pompeii ruins, this is a largely uninspired filming of an emerging and ambitiously progressive band with static shots of the performing members alternating with repetitive crane shots and interspersed with images of bubbling volcanic lava. Besides, the film-makers' attempts at catching the Floyd in a casual mood (dining, during recording sessions, giving candid interviews and having in-band discussions) pale significantly in comparison to what The Beatles did in A HARD DAY'S NIGHT (1964).

Man oh man I LOVE this "rockumentry" of Pink Floyd in their early, pre DSOTM (Dark Side Of The Moon) days. This takes place in the ancient ruins of Pompeii and despite it being filmed back in 1971-2, the images and audio are really good. Crank this up on a modern home theatre system and you will see what I mean. The songs have been commented on by others on imdb so I'll focus on other things on this excellent movie. The band eating in the diner is hilarious, especially Nick Mason asking for apple pie *without* crust. Dave Gilmour asking people to trust Pink Floyd for not being a very drug oriented band was funny as well. Heh Heh. The atmosphere was perfect for the songs that were played there. I especially liked the fact the band was laid back, yet still energetic. They play all the songs on this film with aplomb. Some of the songs have some moodiness about them (Set the controls... Careful with that axe, Eugene)thanks to the lighting, fog, and time of day and that makes them even cooler. I enjoyed the behind the scenes stuff whilst they were recording their landmark album, DSOTM, and hearing the studio engineers complaining about "feedback" was a hoot. [Studio engineer]:"Feedback..." [Gilmour]:"What's rock and roll without feedback?!" Exactly! The dog singing the blues was also hilarious albeit goofy :-) If you're a die hard Floyd fan and have a taste for their older stuff, this is the video for you. If you're open minded and curious, I also urge you to buy this video. 10/10 here :)