|
 |
Marc Bolan and T. Rex: Born To BoogieDirector: Ringo Starr Rating: M 325 minutes Sanctuary/SonyBMG It's obvious just from looking at the deluxe packaging that a lot of work has gone into the double DVD issue of this portrait of T. Rex at the height of their success in 1972. There's a 32-page colour booklet inside a well-designed folding cover, which itself is housed in a special box. But that's almost nothing compared to the work undertaken on the movie itself. 272 rusty cans of rotting film were meticulously restored over two years, the original 16-track audio was located and brought up to 5.1 standard, and the result is 'Born To Boogie' seen and heard at its absolute best. The original movie ran for just over sixty minutes, so it's a surprise to see that the DVD's running time is nearly five and a half hours. Though one wouldn't necessarily want to watch them all in one sitting, the extras are fascinating in their own way: deleted scenes and out-takes, as well as recent interviews with sound producer Tony Visconti and the band's only surviving member, drummer Bill Legend. Marc Bolan's son Rolan conducts these interviews, as well as hosting documentaries on the film's restoration process. A fascinating extra is the earliest known video performance of the acoustic Tyrannosaurus Rex, whose live performance of Sarah Crazy Child is introduced by John Peel. On its initial release, many critics saw 'Born To Boogie' as just another example of Marc Bolan's well-documented ego, which certainly does come across, though mainly in his on-stage persona. With the passing of a few decades though, perhaps other aspects can be appreciated as well. For a start, these are the only surviving examples of a full T. Rex concert (the movie features highlights of one of two separate gigs held on the same day; the DVD includes both shows in their entirety as bonuses). The hysteria generated is real, and the band showed that in concert, they were a no-frills rock band, with a sound that to this day is very much their own. Additionally, this is as close as we can get to a portrait of Bolan as a person; perhaps another reason to applaud this release. Naturally, the hits such as Jeepster and Get It On are included, as well as some classic solo acoustic numbers like Spaceball Ricochet. Various surreal vignettes break up the concert footage, most of which still don't make sense to those involved; these include some jamming between T. Rex, Elton John and the film's producer and director Ringo Starr on Children Of The Revolution with Bolan's head sticking through the grand piano and the cameramen in clown suits... Obviously, a lot of people still care enough about Marc Bolan and T. Rex to put in so much collective effort on this DVD. Bolan's charisma and talent is undeniable throughout; he struts and plays to the camera like the star he always considered himself to be. His lead guitar work is surprisingly proficient as well. On another level, the original press release for the film stated, "It is not intended as a documentary of our time and moment," but it turns out to be just that as well. If any more incentive is needed - it just plain rocks!  |
|
The latest issue available now!     |
All content copyright dB Magazine