Documentarian D.A. Pennebaker focuses his lens on a 1973 concert by David Bowie, who performs under the moniker Ziggy Stardust with his glam-rock backing band, the Spiders From Mars. While some backstage footage of the theatrical singer-songwriter is featured, the majority of the film is devoted to the music played onstage, which includes hits, album cuts and covers of Rolling Stones and Velvet Underground songs. Bowie also shocks fans by announcing his intention to drop the Stardust persona.
The new version of the film features:
- The full uncut performance featuring seldom seen scenes with the legendary guitar player Jeff Beck not included on previous DVD and soundtrack releases, including his high-octane performance on Bowie’s anthemic 1972 hit, The Jean Genie.
- A fully restored, 4K visual mix overseen by DA Pennebaker’s son, Frazer, and Chris Hegedus
- A 5.1 mix undertaken by producer Tony Visconti
- An extended running time of one hour and 42 minutes
The concert’s the thing, and there we see this amazing phenomenon in full glory, prancing like some vaguely benign princeling at his hypnotised fellowers’ behest.
Guardian
The result miraculously resurrects a seminal moment in rock history, elevating Ziggy Stardust into the landmark cultural event it always should have been.
AV Club
| Genre |
DocumentaryMusic
|
| Runtime | 102 minutes |
| Rated | PG |
| Directed By | D.A. Pennebaker |
| Starring | David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder |
| Language | English |
| Country |
UK
|
