The Grateful Dead Movie

Captured during a five-night stand at San Francisco's Winterland in 1974, the Grateful Dead are in fine form playing to sizable crowds through an elaborate sound system that literally looks like a huge wall. Late band leader Jerry Garcia, looking fit (without a gray hair in sight), co-directed this lengthy film (with Leon Gast, most recently celebrated for his fantastic documentary When We Were Kings), which is as much about the fan scene surrounding Grateful Dead shows as it is the music itself (sometimes that sociological angle is interesting and sometimes it isn't, especially when several of the group's best performances are interrupted by mundane footage of happy hippies milling about Winterland's lobby). Highlights include great renditions of "Eyes of the World," "Morning Dew," and "U.S. Blues," and longtime fans will appreciate seeing essential Dead collaborators Keith and Donna Godcheaux onstage. Presented in newly remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, DVD extras on this double-disc 30th anniversary set include 95 minutes worth of additional concert performances (including "Sugaree," "China Cat Sunflower," and "Dark Star"), the documentary film "A Look Back," several "making of" featurettes (on the film, the animated sequence, and the DVD itself), a 1974 television ad for the band's Mars Hotel album, a visible lyrics option, 24-page booklet, and more. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)[Blu-ray Review—Nov. 8, 2011—Shout! Factory, 2 discs, 132 min., not rated, $24.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1977's The Grateful Dead Movie features a great transfer and DTS-HD 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 stereo options. Blu-ray extras are identical to the DVD release, including audio commentary by supervising editor Susan Crutcher and film editor John Nutt, seven bonus songs with optional onscreen lyrics (95 min.), “A Look Back” retrospective (29 min.), a “making-of” segment on the animated sequence (17 min.), a “making-of” featurette (15 min.), a multi-camera and multi-track audio demonstration (6 min.), an archival TV ad for the band's Mars Hotel album, a gallery (with photos, production notes, film stills, and other historical items), and a 24-page booklet. Bottom line: an impressive Blu-ray debut for a classic concert documentary.]