Rockshow (1980) *** 1/2 (out of 4) The title to this concert film is quite fitting as it covers the 1976 U.S. tour by Paul McCartney and Wings. I've seen countless shows of The Beatles as well as McCartney solo but this was the first time I had ever seen a complete (or near complete) show by Wings. I wasn't really sure what to expect especially since I've read some negative things about this film but for the most part I thought the documentary was highly entertaining and the concert was great. I've read a few people complain about the actual look of the concert and while it isn't nearly as well filmed as shows today, for its time the thing still looks pretty good. If you watch many concert films recorded from this era they pretty much look like this. With that out of the way, the music is what's really important and we've got some major winners here. The entire concert is a blast with many great hits, some lesser known tunes and everything from loud rock to some quieter ballads. The best way to see this film is in its uncut, 139-minute glory, which was remastered and re-released in 2013. This includes several great songs that were missing from the previous theatrical version including a wonderful and touching version of "Blackbird." Other great tunes include "Maybe I'm Amazed," "Let Me Roll It," "My Love," "Silly Love Songs" and the rocking "Band on the Run," which has quickly become my favorite song from McCartney. McCartney and the band show a lot of energy throughout the show and I especially liked the softer, acoustic side.

Paul McCartney's first post-Beatles band, Wings, embarked on a massive world tour (Wings Over The World) in 1975/6 - probably the first of its kind. It ended up at Wembley Arena (aka the Empire Pool) in late 1976, and made its way onto record as Wings Over America that Christmas.Rock Show is the theatrical movie edited from the footage of the Seattle concert from that tour, dropping about 10 songs from the 30 or so in the full show. It should not be confused with the hour-long TV documentary called Wings Over The World.This show, well filmed and brilliantly performed and recorded, features the classic Wings of Venus And Mars and Speed Of Sound, and is probably the best filmed record of Paul McCartney at the height of his performing abilities.Edited to add:15 May 2013Having just watched the 2013 restoration edition, this is the first time I have seen Rockshow at the cinema. Restored and remastered, the missing songs have been restored and they are just as good as the rest. My videotape copy was 4:3 aspect ratio, so it was pleasing to see it for the first time in 1.85:1. The sound was excellent - crystal clear, even if sometimes the mix lost parts of the sound (it was a little too toppy for my taste).Two criticisms: one, some of the camera-work was out of focus (not much you can do about that!) and, two, only the audience was in stereo at my showing: the music was a single sound source from the screen. I don't know what they will have done for the Blu-ray.

I saw this in 1987 on MTV I think it was. You know back when they used to play good stuff. It was wonderful. Why it isn't on DVD is beyond me. If someone decides to release it on DVD please use the same footage without any remixes as I never like remixes. I mean one should never mess with a masterpiece. I have a cassette tape of the original soundtrack that I listen to on my home stereo that a friend made me. I love this music. I think this was a great period for rock music. Please release this without any remixes and in it's entirety on DVD! Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Jimmy McCulloch, they're all here. And they're all good. This is from the golden age of rock. You know back when people had to be good before they got a recording contract.

To my knowledge, Wings Over the World and Rockshow are not the same thing (as one comment seems to state). Both are based on Wings' 1976 world tour. But,to my knowledge, Rockshow is a concert film and was released in theaters (at least it played occasionally in theaters over the years). Wings Over the World was a TV special that aired in 1979 - I remember watching it. I recall it being more of a look at 'life on the road' side of the tour. All apologies if I stand corrected.