Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

Bowie is clearly enjoying himself here, although today he claims to find this record of the Spiders final show unwatchable. The costuming IS spectacularly dated and Ziggy's antics do more to camp up a storm than forewarn of an imminent apocalypse. Aside from the music though, there is more going on here than silly, decadent posturing. Backstage musings by Bowie are suggestive of why he is not merely a relic from a past era: there is inherent tension between the public persona and the demand to discover the "real" Bowie. Rock music has since split into 2 positions along these lines: for the most part, the English traditions of camp and irony have served as a distancing device from the demands of an "authentic" self which can impose on others in an intrusive way- Jewel's folk music/"Knight Without Armor" is merely the latest manifestation of the latter tendency (also, despite the hatred of hippies, Nirvana ironically shared their "no hang ups" philosophy in their "Come As You Are" period). Ziggy was, at the time, the most extreme movement away from the "authenticity" of Woodstock Nation in which there was nothing separating the performer and the audience...been an "alien being" also guaranteed a spectacular show for record buyers who may otherwise have had little interest in live music given the high fidelity improvements in recording technology and home sound systems which were starting to become available. It is the irresolvable tension between these two tendencies toward camp/authentic which helps generate the excitement of the audience captured in this film, and which can still inspire interest and enjoyment today.

This concert-film, mixed with concert footage, backstage looks and interview clips, highlights Bowie at his best. It is situated in a rock era that was actually coming to an end. Glam-rock was a new style that was very hot in the UK and it got its start in 1971. It would be the style that would help Bowie launch his career from performer to star. It was a style that would end its own reign by 1975. Bowie, after a slow start in the late 60s, would work in experimental music and styles. He again emerged in 1972 as the colorful and asexualized, alter ego, Ziggy Stardust. Complete with, psychedelic colors, gritty film stock and lot of awesome rock-and-roll, this film is an androgynous, flamboyant spectacle.

Be aware that this film is listed as 1983 also, because it was released in 1973, but only in a few theaters and film-festivals. It wasn't until Bowie got really huge in the 80s that the film was re-released ten years later. The film had a number of problems with the shooting of the concert. Director D. A. Pennebaker, who was only planning on shooting 20 minutes' worth of the concert, was so taken in by Bowie's amazing aura on stage, that they changed plans and shot the whole thing. Unfortunately, that caused extra challenges due to lack of cameramen, audio issues and lighting problems between the stage and the audience.

His simple solution for the lighting was telling everyone to take as many photos as possible so the flashes would help with the lighting issue. The initial release of the film in 1973 was deemed a sloppy mess. Even Bowie, who said in the film, that this was their last appearance as the Spiders From Mars, who would bail on the Ziggy persona a year or two later, lost interest in the film, because of the delays in getting the technical issues fixed, until they were able to clean things up for the 1983 re-release.

If you ask me those technical issues are what make this film so great. The grittiness of the film grain, because of the low light, the streakiness of the lights and colors, because of the film stock and the edgy, vinyl recording sound, all help to create this mood that I feel Bowie was trying to convey.

Bowie is all smiles throughout this film too. He obviously is having a lot of fun and thoroughly enjoys his craft. Even in moments when things get serious you still feel a playful positive mood coming off of him and out of the screen. His talent is beyond amazing, especially when you consider this was very early in his career. They do an amazing version of Space Oddity. All the songs are well done. This is a definitive version of what a cool concert film can be and it is even more interesting when you think about the fact that he would have an even more amazing career for the next 40 years after this.

7.8 (B- MyGrade) = 8 IMDB.

Decent capture of David Bowie at his creative, flamboyant best. Good concert, and it's not all about Bowie. Mick Ronson's guitaring almost steals the show.

Interesting behind-the-scenes footage adds a new, more personal, aspect to the live concert genre. Could have done with more of that though, as the behind-the-scenes stuff is fleeting, and sometimes seems token. Maybe some footage of practices and sound checks, or interviews with Bowie, would have been in order.

Not perfect though. Production quality is quite raw and rough. Sound quality is variable.

A must-see for all David Bowie fans.

This concert film is probably most famous for capturing a pivotal moment in music history. It is the last show that David Bowie performed under the Ziggy Stardust persona and the last time he was on stage with his backing band The Spiders From Mars. Seemingly his announcement near the end of the show stating that this was the final appearance was not only news to the audience but to the band as well!

The film takes the form mostly as straightforward concert footage. There is also some backstage material interspersed throughout which I think it would have been good to have had more of, seeing as it revealed a little bit more of what Bowie was like behind the mask. But as it was, the vast majority of material is taken from the concert. The approach taken is very stripped down and basic. There isn't really a lot of imagination in the approach but I guess the idea was to let the show speak for itself. Perhaps though it might have been better for a live performance by such a flamboyant performer as Bowie to be presented with a little more imagination. Sometimes, it's the audience reactions to the show that are truthfully the most interesting, seeing as some of his fans seem to be almost hyper-ventilating with emotion. Some of the costume changes now provoke a chuckle or two; although, in truth, I have always found the fashions of the 70's glam rock era to be absolutely catastrophic. But at the end of the day it is a time capsule film and in this sense it is interesting. Even if Bowie does feel the need to do a mime artistry routine.

The concert itself? One for Bowie devotees especially I would say, of which I am not one I have to admit. But I thought Mick Ronson was very good on guitar and they all do knock out the tunes with some energy. It was also interesting to hear a good version of The Velvet Underground's White Light/White Heat close the show.

but I like it. This is a terrific concert recorded 30 years ago by Bowie. Considering that Bowie is in his 50's now and still recording and touring this is an excellent opportunity to see him in his prime. His voice is in great shape & the songs are first rate. Ziggy is one of the peaks in Rock and Roll history. Also Mick Ronson is one of the greatest rock guitarists ever. Much has been made of the costumes & Bowie's use of mime etc. but it is the music which carries the day.