ADDITION Criterion Blu-ray - September 2009: These transfers were taken from the same elements as the DVD, but are rendered in 1080P. The original transfers were approved by D.A. Pennebaker - and according to the liner notes are from a 35mm dup negative although the original s surely look like 16mm.

It's all the same as the original DVDs but colors occasionally show some divergence (improved skin tones, and tighter overall) and grain appears as thick as a plush shag rug. The original 8-track analogue tapes have been converted to lossless DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 4468 kbps and both films sound unreal. You likely will never hear Hendrix sound this crisp, rich and deep - ever. It's the biggest appeal of the set. There are no subtitles - and little need for them for Philips narration. My Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked disc.

Supplements are duplicated with the same commentaries and the brief Pete Townshend video excerpt and 20-minute interview with Otis Redding’s manager Phil Walden. The 12-page liner notes booklet is also included.

Essential rock-documentary and an easy purchase for those even remotely keen. The audio is the key selling point in my opinion and we, no doubt, recommend.  

Gary W. Tooze

***

ON THE DVD: Criterion are making some of their boxsets a little more accessible by divvying up the discs into single editions. We saw this recently with Truffaut's The 400 Blows separating it as an individual purchase from their Antoine Doinel Box. This is another example -  the original 3- DVD Complete Monterey Pop Festival package by Criterion came out in late 2002 and included DISC ONE: "Monterey Pop" (also available separately now HERE), DISC TWO: "Jimi Plays Monterey" and "Shake! Otis at Monterey" and DISC THREE: "Monterey Pop -- The Outtake Performance". This is a decent gesture as it doesn't lock in the purchasers to obtain the entire contents of the combined collections if they are not keen on everything included.

What we have here are two short films on a spectacularly unique piece of kinetic musical history that evolved to a true cultural anomaly. Eviscerating even beyond those who may be keen on the music and lore - this has something of value to offer. Pennebaker's two documentary films capture beyond the gigs, which, with Hendrix dieing in 1970 and Otis Redding's equally historic Monterey set, just three months before he was killed in an airplane crash, already give insights into the performers. The commentaries and other extras define this DVD as the absolute definitive on these two films - I especially enjoyed Pete Townsend's frankness (wish it was the entire - not just an excerpt) although I got something out of everything I viewed and heard. As far as the image quality goes both are new high-definition digital transfers, supervised by D.A. Pennebaker and the audio is re-mixed by legendary recording engineer Eddie Kramer, presented in Dolby Digital and DTS. This is considered 'archival' and it's not going to look or sound any better folks.

It is almost impossible not to get caught up in the energy and 'feel' that these films exude. You need not be a fan of the music to appreciate this incredible DVD, but simply from a historical standpoint, and viewing the extensive extras, you probably will.   

Gary W. Tooze