U2: Rattle and Hum

At the time of writing, this film is almost 20 years old. When I first watched it I was a half U2 fan, a U1 if you will. Joshua tree was one of my favourite CDs, but despite being a frequent listener of the earlier stuff, I'd remained unhooked. But after seeing Rattle and Hum I was almost literally breathless. It became one of a small handful of VHS music videos that I made the effort to take with me as I moved through life.

When I discovered the concept of digital movies, it was the first tape I digitised so I could watch it on my computer, and when video CD came along, I bought that too because the quality was much better than my amateur 'rip'. Naturally when DVD came along I had to have the quality offered by that too. And when I got my first portable video player, well Rattle & h Hum was the first DVD I ripped so I could play it on that (although Pink Floyds pulse had become it's constant companion too).

Today, I took delivery of my iPod Touch, and, sad bastard that I am, Rattle and Hum is the first movie I'm watching on it.

Why is it I love this film when the music press and the band itself seem to dis this film? I once read an article that suggested the band almost split after the release of the film. Instead they went off and regrouped into their post Achtung baby period. Better they had split and then reformed once whatever itch was out of their system, I think. I still hope they still will.

I love this film because it presents the band a their absolute peak. Every inch of concert footage is tight. Bono sounds amazing, much better than I ever saw him. The Edge soars, Larry beats perfect time, while Adam holds everything together. If that isn't enough, the photography is stunning. There is not a single scene in the whole film that would benefit from a different point of view, lighting setup or depth of field (except perhaps the Bono scene 31 minutes in where he tries his hand at graffiti backed by watchtower, personally I'd have made that blurred I think). The visuals are completely stunning and reinforce the bands stature already perfectly presented by just enough short of perfect performance.

If I last another 20 years, I'm confident this film will make the Journey with me.

"U2 Rattle & Hum" is one of the best rock documentaries ever produced because it not only showcases a band at work on stage and in the studio at the peak of their success, but also because it shares with us a rock group in the middle of a discovery. That discovery is U2's first wide-scale American tour, in which they start to explore American "roots" music, namely Elvis Presley and B.B. King, among unmentioned others. Aside from the blistering live performances in Denver, San Francisco and Phoenix, the band makes 'holy pilgrimages' to Graceland, Sun Studios and a Harlem church.

U2 were criticized for supposedly saddling themselves up against American musical icons (B.B. King collaborates with them on a tune, they record 5 tracks at Sun Studios, and haggle a Graceland tour guide into letting them photograph one of Elvis' motorcycles), but once the mechanics of the band's relationship are understood, it's obviously clear they are only peeking into this world in an introverted manner instead of trying to include themselves in it. U2 have always been a band with sharp detractors because they place an importance upon music to suggest that it can BE more than just music. This attitude has enabled them to arguably remain the most consistent and important band of the last 20 years.

The live performances are just amazing. "Exit," Bad," "Pride," "Bullet The Blue Sky," and "Sunday Bloody Sunday" are delivered with ferocious energy. The film is mostly in black-and-white, which lends itself that needed 'documentary' feel, except for 5 songs performed in color. The energy of the band onstage guarantees this to be a film that will sustain its liveliness no matter how many times you see it.

I have recently watched this DVD again for the countless number of times. It just gets better and better. Rattle And Hum takes you on a journey with U2 as they talk about their music, current tour and thoughts on various subjects.

This Music/Documentary gives a great insight to how U2 emerged into one of the most influential bands of all time. The selected songs, which include some of music's classics like "With Or Without You" and "Pride" are a must to watch. The brief but frank interviews give a somewhat comic and emotional look at the individual band members.

This is simply a must have for all U2 fans and a must see for all others.

I love this film, and have for years. Some were unhappy with the lack of documentary-like footage concerning who the band "really" are and such...but since it is described as a "concert" film, i got what i expected...footage of and about the formation of key songs and song adaptions. I never saw the film as self-congratulatory, and i think that's just a swipe by bashers of the band.......they (u2) just seemed to be enjoying themselves delving into the new musical forms they were discovering and paying homage to those forms. If you like music, see this dvd.

An outstanding documentary/concert film detailing the irish rock band U2 on a tour..of course the band plays their greatest hits and some other known songs, including a duet with blues great BB king..

Great cinematography and the black and white usage makes it all that much better.

A must see for any U2 fan.. On a scale of one to ten.. 8