The Butterfly Ball

I may be the only person who has visited this title and knows this one. This is one of the earliest forms of "Rock Opera" which indeeed features Vincent Price, Perched High Atop a concert venue reading the story of Mr. Mole. while David Coverdale( Yes the same one who was later in Whitesnake), Pace Ashton Lord and most of Deep Purple Play, jam and experiment.

This is a multi-media event and the story involves some man in a mole suit running around London and the English Country side. I have not seen this in years but remember it flashing from the man in the mole suit to Mr Price reading and then the music .

If you can find this it is a must ...not likely to see this on DVD , video chip or any future technology (By the way the picture on the cover of the box is quite similar to the Small Faces Ogden's Small Flake Lp).Its on a small label and it may be the only title they released on that label.. I wrote this mostly from memory..I still have a few brain cells left!

Probably because I was born the same year, or because I saw it over and over again on French television when there was a technical problem, I have got a sentimental value towards this animation/anime. The video is based on the book of the same name, so the characters are pretty much alike. It is mixed with weird human-like animals/insects and fantastic lyrics by Roger Glover, a certain enthusiasm radiates from the whole. The animation is great, it puts you in a fantastic mood for the day and I would encourage anyone to find the LPs or the new upcoming DVD of the 1976 concert, or go to the Roger Glover website, there are a lot of news flying around. When watching the video, try to spot all the references (three blind mice, the beauty dancing with the beast, the dancing tankard, masquerade, carnival, etc). I just love it! Highly recommended.

How can you possibly utilize the talents of Vincent Price, Twiggy, some fine musicians, wonderful source material and come up with this ABOMINATION called The Butterfly Ball? It looks like a couple of inexperienced students shot this with their clueless friends running around in animal costumes their mothers sewed for them. Disaster.

The Rock Operas of the 1970's gave us such legendary productions as Jesus Christ Superstar, Ziggy Stardust, Tommy and Pink Floyd's The Wall. The Butterfly Ball doesn't measure up to any of them by a long shot. Unlike the films mentioned, the Butterfly Ball falls victim to a novice director with no vision or discernible talent. Skip this rubbish and see one of the classics I listed.

...But only if you approach it as a live music show. I honestly didn't even understand that this was considered a movie, from what I've read Roger Glover was furious when he realised that someone put all those weird cutscenes over the actual live performance, which would be more than enough on its own. If you expect to see a movie while watching this you'll be disappointed, but the music is definitely a 10/10.