Concert for George (2003)

User Rating:

8.7/10   

Director:

David Leland

Release Date:

10 October 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Documentary | Music

Plot:

George Harrison's friends, family, and bandmates unite for a tribute concert on the one-year anniversary of his death. |

Plot Keywords:

Concert | Tribute | Live Concert | Reunion | Beatles

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Gary Brooker	...	Himself
Joe Brown	...	Himself
Sam Brown	...	Herself
Jim Capaldi	...	Himself
Eric Clapton	...	Himself
Carol Cleveland	...	Herself / Best girl
Ray Cooper	...	Himself
Andy Fairweather-Low	...	Himself
Terry Gilliam	...	Himself / Barber / Mountie
Dhani Harrison	...	Himself
Olivia Harrison	...	Herself
Jools Holland	...	Himself
Eric Idle	...	Himself / Barber / Mountie
Neil Innes	...	Himself / Barber
Terry Jones	...	Himself / Barber / Mountie
Jim Keltner	...	Himself
Katie Kissoon	...	Background vocals
Albert Lee	...	Himself
Jeff Lynne	...	Himself
Marc Mann	...	Himself
Paul McCartney	...	Himself
Tessa Niles	...	Background vocals
Michael Palin	...	Himself / Bevis
Tom Petty	...	Himself
Billy Preston	...	Himself
Anoushka Shankar	...	Herself
Ravi Shankar	...	Himself
Ringo Starr	...	Himself
Klaus Voormann	...	Himself

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some risque humor.

Runtime:

Brazil:146 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Germany:o.Al. | UK:PG | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington, London, England, UK

Company:

ArenaPlex LLC

Trivia:

This was the first time that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr performed together on stage since the breakup of The Beatles.

Touching

This was a heartwarming film by way of Harrison's music. The musical production was top notch. The film production was simple and functional. I expected more auteurism - more interviews, personal tidbits, more of a developed documentarian style...and more (some? any?) George Harrison - in person. This aspect was understated (at least compared to my expectations). George (almost) never appears in the film. A somewhat surprising choice considering how magnetic each of the Beatles are/were... and how much photo/film documentation they've undergone. Aside from merely two or three photo stills and a brief voice recording after the credits, George was represented totally via his music (and almost hauntingly by his son who shares many of his same unique mannerisms on stage). And a few short remembrances/personal interviews that always pertain to his music, not to his life.

In the end this makes sense. This film wasn't about George. It was a film about his friends remembering George in the best and most moving way they know - through the depth of Harrison's music, and through the love and respect apparent in performing his music. This was much more affective than any amount of personalized interviews. It was, after all, a Concert for George, a reminiscence by way of his songs - not by way of documentarian interviews. It becomes almost a meta work - the film documents with relative detachment a concert that documents George's music and life. Such a film necessarily lacks the same punch as the live concert - but it does not compensate by fully exploiting the advantages and accessibilities of the film medium. However, in the end this approach is not only more subtle and disciplined (directorially), but infinitely more poetic. The music and the performances tell the story. As I said, the choice worked but is somewhat unexpected, and may keep some wanting more George.

Aside from Eric Clapton's meandering and jejune guitar god solos, the musical performances were absolutely top notch. Although many stood out, my favorites were Joe Brown and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.