Rating of
3/4
Does not suck
Bribaba - wrote on 05/05/11
The Rolling Stones documentary based on their 1972 tour of the US has a background story almost as controversial as the film itself. Shot by former Time/Life photographer in grainy but very sharp b&w, this is a verite and definitive account of a rock band on tour. A bit too 'verite', in fact, as the film depicts the lads powdering their noses on a local flight, among other excesses It was such scenes which prompted Mick Jagger, mindful of the effect the film might have on their visas, to apply for and get, an injunction preventing the film from being shown unless in the presence of its maker.
I saw the film at the Castro Cinema in San Francisco where Frank fetched up one day. An announcement was made on the local FM radio station that there would be a screening, and within an an hour Castro Street on which I lived was flooded with people. The manager of the cinema opened the ceremonies, requesting that punters in the balcony treat the seats carefully as they'd not been used for thirty years (this is a very old cinema). Frank came on stage somewhat reticently and introduced the film in compliance with the legal edict.
Its reputation has not been exaggerated by its rarity, it really is a terrific piece of work and completely debunks the notion of rock star glamour, another feature which must have irritated Jagger. Best of all are the musical sequences - after all this was the Stones at their peak. Bobby Keys, Jim Price on formed the horn section augmented the band, which was further enhanced by Stevie Wonder jamming away on some tunes.
