Warner Vision/Warner Vision .
R4 . COLOR . 50 mins .
E . PAL
Feature
Contract
The Beach Boys were one of the most successful pop groups of all time, particularly in the ‘60s. They produced hit after hit and after a difficult period in the early ‘70s, the original lineup of the three Wilson brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis joined up once again with cousin Mike Love and long time friend Al Jardine to release a new album entitled 15 Big Ones. They embarked on the Good Vibrations Tour to promote the album and to play their impressive catalogue of hits.
There weren't enough seats inside the plane.
This release features footage from the Anaheim Stadium along with interviews and rare footage of various events featuring the band. There are some nice inclusions for die hard fans such as the Wilson brothers performing the song I’m Bugged at My Ol’ Man at a piano, appearing a little like a home movie. Another highlight is seeing them perform in a small church along with a gospel choir. Also featured is an amusing arrest of Brian Wilson by a couple of highway patrolmen, the police are in fact Blues Brothers Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi. Brian Wilson is charged with a violation of the surf code.
The feature runs for a rather brief 50 minutes but features most of their hits. The concert footage along with interview and archival footage looks every bit of its age, but for nostalgia buffs and die hard Beach Boys fans this is enjoyable viewing.
Track listing...
Fun, Fun, Fun
Be True to Your School
I’m Bugged at My Ol’ Man
God Only Knows
I Get Around
You Are So Beautiful
That Same Song
Good Vibrations
Sloop John B
Surfin’ USA
California Girls
Help Me Rhonda
It’s OK
Rock ‘n’ Roll Music
Wouldn’t it Be Nice
As long as you take into account the age of this footage you should find it reasonably enjoyable and a good look at America’s musical history. Many will struggle to get past the poor quality though. There are many highlights on offer and a tonne of hits so if you are a fan, give it a look, just be warned that it was made in 1976 and hasn’t aged well.
Video
Audio
Extras
Contract
Video is supplied in full frame and it really looks its age. It is riddled with grain and film artefacts along with a washed-out look due to age. Colours are poor and detail is also very average. For something this old, it has a decent excuse for its appearance, however there are many other releases from this time in a much better state, due to better source material no doubt.
As good as it gets.
Audio is slightly better than the video but again, due to its age and the poor source materiel, it is not the best. There are three audio mixes available, a Dolby Digital stereo mix, a DD 5.1 surround mix and a DTS 5.1 mix. The stereo mix is pretty basic and there is little difference between the DD 5.1 and DTS tracks. All are full of hiss and poor clarity but these issues are really not a fault of the transfer. It is always nice to have surround mixes, but for audio that is not too great to start with, why bother? A stereo mix would have been more than sufficient for this feature.
There are no extras with this release.
Overall this is an enjoyable look at the Beach Boys at what many consider to be their peak. It is an enjoyable film if you can get past the aged appearance of it. Possibly it will only be die hard fans who will bother purchasing this one, but for casual fans it offers a decent look at the band. There is nothing new or too candid here, but the footage shown is enjoyable and the concert and studio performances also capture the band well.