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List Price: $19.99 | | Label: Bmg Special DVD Products
Salesrank: 191370
Released: February 12, 2001 |
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| Used Price: $46.99 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Half its members may be dead and its leader may be keeping a low profile, but the Who remains enormously popular. Devotees who haven't availed themselves of Jeff Stein's thrilling, self-mocking 1979 documentary about the group shouldn't wait another minute now that the film has been painstakingly--perhaps heroically--restored to its theatrical-release length from original elements. The sound is clearer than on previous video releases, images are once more crisp and color-rich, and adjustments in tape speed make the Who sound like themselves again, particularly in vintage television performances and filmed club dates from as far back as the band's sonically thrilling, early R&B period. Special features are, shall we say, extensive: 100 or so minutes of multiple-angle footage, an insightful interview with Roger Daltrey, a featurette about the film's restoration, and a mesmerizing, isolated John Entwistle audio track. --Tom Keogh
The Who - The Kids Are Alright Reviews:
These kids are alright 
2009-10-05 - I am not exactly a big fan of the Who, but I do enjoy their music. In fact my first introduction to their music was in high school visiting a friend, smoking a joint, and listening to this totally bitchen album, Who's Next. I've heard songs on the radio of earlier releases, but once Baba O'Riley hit my speakers it was captivating. This DVD was an eye opener for me. I once worked in a print shop in Hollywood and had done some litho work for The Kids Are Alright tour. It would be a few years later before I actually saw the Who live at the LA Colliseum with Living Color as their opening act. The pacing of this DVD is quick and sure footed. Would liked to have seen more of Keith Moon, who in my opinion was the driving force behind the Who music. But mostly to learn more of the connection Keith had with Pete Townsend. This DVD is well worth the price for all you diletante Who fans. And an extremely worthy item to have in any diehard Who fanatic's collection.
The Kids ARE Alright!
2009-06-25 - A must for any Who fan. Great clips from various tv shows the Who appeared on, starting with The Smother Brothers Show. Keith Moon is brilliant on this DVD, a MUST OWN for all Who fans!
if you own just one Who DVD, make it THIS ONE !
2008-12-20 - This 1979 Documentry is done the old fashion way, let the music and clips do the talking, there is no narrator, a lost art form by today's standard.
The film flows very nicely from song to interview back to song, ect.
I think the film is a 10, my ONLY gripe is, the film starts with "My Generation" then progresses nicely up to "Who Afre you" then for no reason, inserts "My Generation" from Monterey. I think the director just wanted to use the clip, because at the time it was unreleased and is shot very nice from D A Pinnebaker.
But its an extra song so WHO cares. It just messes with the flow of the movie, other than that, its fast paced, packed with Full length performances (there is one "medley" section though). It shows the amazing video from 1968's Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus "A Quick One" Many of the interviews are quit humerious.
Just a great documentry of the WHO era with Keith Moon.
I actauuly thought of making a second volume of material and videos from 1980-present in the same style and format called "The Kids are still alight", but maybe someone will do it for me someday.
Enjoy the Film!
Fee Fi Fo Fum! I Hear the Electrifying Sounds of Four Englishmen!
2008-10-20 - And those Englishmen that I speak of are Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon, better known to the rock world and their fans as The Who. In this 1979 rockumentary directed by Jeff Stein, the band is shown in classic clips performing some of their best songs. When it opens, we see them performing "My Generation" on "The Smothers Brothers Show". After the documentary's titles are shown, we cut to a clip of them singing "I Can't Explain" on what would be the last broadcast of "Shindig", ABC's evening answer to their ever-popular "American Bandstand". About a half-hour or so into the movie, we're treated to their electrifying performance of "See Me, Feel Me/Listening to You" at the 1969 Woodstock Festival. In between these rocking performances, we get to see the four men reveal their true selves during interviews, such as the one done by English TV show host Russell Harty. Here, you get to see them display their sense of humor, with Harty not batting an eye. They are also asked, by various fans, questions on topics ranging from drugs to looks. Although all four members are interviewed, none is interviewed more often than Pete Townshend, who presents a thoughtful, serious side of himself. Of course, no Who documentary would be complete without clips of him destroying his guitar during concerts, for which he is legendary. During the "Smothers Brothers" segment, after Tom watches Townshend destroy his guitar, he tells his brother Dick to bring his guitar (so that Townshend could destroy it!). We also get to see drummer Keith Moon during his crazy, maniacal moments and on the drums. I would say he was The Who's equivalent of The Beatles's Ringo Starr, who, by the way, we see talking to Moon. Throughout this whole movie, we hear the best that these guys had to offer, including the aforementioned "My Generation" (we also get treated to a clip of them singing it at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival), "I Can't Explain", "Teenage Wasteland", "Happy Jack", "Tommy", "Pinball Wizard", "Won't Get Fooled Again", "Magic Bus", and at the end, "Long Live Rock".
These men knew how to rock; their music defined a generation. If you're a fan and think that they rock, like I do, then you should no doubt love this showcase of one of the best rock bands of all time.
Twelve stars
2008-08-16 - I ordered this DVD on January 16, 2007 -- I can't believe that I didn't write a review at the time -- and I've played it so many times that the grooves are getting worn out. No, seriously, I'm so worried that it will get scratched that I just ordered two more copies.
I was a Who fan. This DVD turned me into a raving Who fan. It starts out with a bang (a real one, complete with drum shrapnel and burning hair) and ends with a blistering live performance of WGFA (Won't Get Fooled Again) from 1978 -- Keith Moon's last public performance with the band. There's also a live version of "Baba O'Riley" from the same session in 1978, and magical footage from Woodstock of Daltrey singing "See me, hear me, touch me, feel me" as the sun breaks over the horizon and floods the stage. Makes me want to have been there even more than Hendrix's performances do.
I just watched "Live at Isle of Wight" (as well as the Woodstock footage), and the '78 live versions of Baba and WGFA are every bit as electric as the performances in '69 and '70.
The bonus material is also fascinating: if you look at what they did during the restoration and audio cleanup of the original release, your jaw will be hanging on the floor (if you like such things).
This deserves twice as many stars as I can give it. No offense to anyone who doesn't like it, but how that's possible is beyond my comprehension.
Long live rock.
P.S. You should also get your hands on the DVD about the making of Who's Next: amazing, truly amazing -- behind the scenes info from Townshend, Glyn Johns, and many other people involved with the production of the record. It answers a lot of questions, like "Is that a *violin* at the end of Baba O'Riley?" (Yes, played by Dave Arbus) and "Is that a synth loop?" (No, but you'll have to listen to Glyn Johns's explanation because I don't quite understand it)
