Glastonbury Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

Very good documentary, far better than the

In July 2005, when I reviewed for this website the 'official' Glastonbury Anthems 1994-2004 DVD, I started my review off thus: 'What, no David Bowie? No Pulp? No Orbital? No Orb? No Goldfrapp? No Levellers even?'. Was Julien Temple reading that? Because those six artists all appear on this wonderful documentary, I am glad to say, along with other favourites like Alabama 3 and Faithless, so it is hardly surprising that I give it five deserved stars. This is excellent - with great footage (although the 'interactive' option of choosing different songs was a little shaky at times). Snips showing tripped-out revellers enjoying the festival since 1970 (youthful John Craven reporting from the site is funny), various interviews with Michael Eavis - did you know his beard was once black? - and some great footage (the standout being Pulp singing 'Common People'). Check out disk 2 for the whole versions of each song - worth it for Goldfrapp's 'Strict Machine' alone. Hugely enjoyable, recognised many many characters I had bumped into there, and pretty up-to-date (includes for example, Babyshambles and the flooded tent area opposite the Glade, from 2005). As someone who has been to Glastonbury pretty much every time since 1990, it was great. I recognised a couple of people in the travellers' area as well, which was hilarious. This documentary has been accused by some of being disjointed, but that is part of its charm - my Glasto memories are so mixed up by years of caining it, that I can't remember what year was what either. Just made me want to take my clothes off, grab some cider from the fridge, run into my garden and shout 'I love you, world!'. Then I remembered I live in Plaistow beside West Ham Stadium, and thought better of it.

turn on, tune in, rock out

This docu-film is a wonderful shambolic crazy ride thro the Glastonbury experience. You are taken on a journey from the beginning to end of the world's greatest festival from raving outside the food stalls to rocking out to some spell binding, goosebump inducing, stadium performances by the likes of Coldplay.

Meanwhile, it flashes back through history with original clips from the 70s, 80s, 90s - naked hippies, travellers on buses, rioting gatecrashers bursting the fences. Snippets of interviews with Michael Eavis punctuate the 'story' as it goes along...

Every aspect of the festival is covered from the colourful characters you meet wandering around to the mud slides- oh and of course the toilets. Ever thought you could find someone who could be sooo happy to clean out the world's most notorius toilet system?!

This is typical Glastonbury - great memories for those that have been or an education for those who haven't. This will show you why Glastonbury is the best & most original festival in the world - and why others - Reading, 'V 'etc - could never create the same kind of atmosphere.

I particularly like the fact this docu-film shows a wide range of performances - like world music, theatre, circus & reggae as well as the stadium fillers. It is this aspect as well as the characters that is exactly what makes Glastonbury so unique: you can wonder around all day & night and you never know who or what you will come across - from naked pixies, men in tuxedos and horse heads & old man with a pram - it's all there!!

Sit back, pour yourself a 'Magners' & enjoy....

oh and you better dust off that rucksack for next year then.....