" Gimme Shelter " Criterion - Region 1

(aka "Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter" )

directed by Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin
USA 1970

Most people consider Dec. 6, 1969 the day the '60s were deflowered. It was the date of the Rolling Stones' infamous free concert at Altamont Speedway in front of an estimated 300,000 fans. Concerned over security, the band hired members of the Hells Angels, who, with lead pool cues and meaty fists, only served to escalate the tension and ultimately the violence. When the show was over, four people were dead -- including one stabbed to death by an Angel -- and so was the notion that an entire generation could come together and conquer the world with peace and love.

The acclaimed documentary Gimme Shelter, which celebrated its 30th anniversary two years ago with a remastering and theatrical re-release, is an unintentional chronicling of that reality slap which came so cruelly on the heels of what's considered that decade's finest hour, Woodstock.

The film, directed by David Maysles, Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin, was originally intended to merely follow the Stones on their U.S. tour to support the Let It Bleed album, and consequently features a number of stellar live performances of the band (not to mention a performance by Tina Turner and her microphone that is perhaps the most erotic thing captured on film).

Excerpt from Mike Bell's film review located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: December 6, 1970

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DVD Review: Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Criterion Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:31:33
Video	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 7.56 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate
Audio	Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
Subtitles	English, none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Breathtaking new high-definition transfer of the uncensored 30th Anniversary version, remastered and restored from the camera original • Exclusive Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround sound mixes • Never-before-seen performances of the Rolling Stones at Madison Square Garden in 1969, including “Little Queenie," “Oh Carol," and “Prodigal Son," plus backstage outtakes • Audio commentary by directors Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin, and collaborator Stanley Goldstein • Excerpts from KSAN Radio’s Altamont wrap-up, recorded December 7, 1969, with new introductions by then-DJ, Stefan Ponek • Altamont stills gallery, featuring the work of renowned photographers Bill Owens and Beth Sunflower • “The Rolling Stones, Altamont, and GIMME SHELTER”: A 44-page booklet with essays by Jagger’s former assistant Georgia Bergman, music writers Michael Lydon and Stanley Booth, ex-Oakland Hell’s Angels chapter head Sonny Barger, and film critics Amy Taubin and Godfrey Cheshire • Original and re-release theatrical trailers, plus trailers for Maysles Films' classics Grey Gardens and Salesman • Filmographies for Maysles Films and Charlotte Zwerin DVD Release Date: November 14, 2000 Keep Case Chapters 27

Comments

This landmark concert film is given the much deserved royal treatment from Criterion.

The film has been remastered from the original 16mm negative and looks incredible given its low budget documentary origins. Colors are impressive as is detail. Contrast is a little flat, but I am confident this is inherent in the original materials. A fair amount of fine film grain is visible which only helps to enhance the experience. Some slight film damage is occasionally visible, but is primarily confined to scenes that include a lot of optical fades and effects. As explained by the demonstration, many of the optical fades were not present in the original negative and therefore later generation prints were used for these portions. Trust me, you'll hardly notice.

Both surround audio tracks sound fantastic. My initial reaction was that the Dolby Digital was much more impressive. After further comparison the DTS is much quieter, but also offers a more subtle and natural aural experience.
As the restoration demonstration shows, this film looks and sounds far better than any previous release. So who am I to argue?

Add to a near perfect presentation some very worthwhile extras and we have an absolute must own from Criterion. (Five out of Five)

(Please note. While scanning for screen caps I noticed that there was significant frame overlapping/ghosting every few frames. Given the care that went into this release and Criterion's stellar reputation, my only conclusion is that this issue must have been unavoidable given the type of film elements used.)

- Mark Balson

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