Sympathy for the Devil details
| Formats: | 15 DVD, Blu-ray |
|---|---|
| Starring: | The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Marianne Faithful, Rolling Stones, Anita Pallenberg |
| Directors: | Jean-Luc Godard, Jean-Luc Goddard |
| Genre: | Documentary - General |
| Studio: | FREMANTLE HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Sympathy for the Devil |
15 Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 2 hours 26 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 05 Jun 2006 |
| Main languages: | English |
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Most helpful review
A good disc, but it's the wrong title
By Savage (632 reviews) from London, England , 02 Jul 2006[Highly rated reviewer]
I'm somewhat troubled by the fact that the BFI have marketed this as 'Sympathy for the devil'. That was the title given to it by its producer (and bit-part player), Ian Quarrie, after numerous difficulties had beset the production and he decided to add on a full version of the Stones song at the end. This caused Godard so much anger he famously assaulted Quarrie at the LFF screening.
The original title, and the only one which really makes sense, is 'One plus one'. Originally, this was going to refer to adding the act of creation (the making of the song) to the act of destruction (the gradual radicalization of a terrorist), but the film never developed along those lines, and Godard instead focused on the random acts that go to cause things instead. It's part of the point of the film that we never hear/see the finished song: the whole flim remains unfinished, as do the various acts of rebellion/revolution/anarchy which are intercut with the Stones at work.
Quite how Mick and Keith (whose surname is misspelt on the credits) felt about their masterwork being lumped in with the other things on display here we may never know, but ironically, given the speculative nature of the filming, this is one of Godard's clearest visions. No matter that students are tearing up Paris, and no matter that they claim inspiration from his earlier film, 'La Chinoise', rebellion has become kitsch, the revolution will be televised, popular culture has even managed to eat up 'Mein Kampf', and there's nothing left to be serious about. One plus one equals, not two, but nothing at all.- Was this review helpful to you?
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(8)Disappointing Rolling Stones Blu-ray!
By a customer , 17 Nov 2012I like the Rolling Stones later material on blu-ray and find them to be a talented exciting group. However I did not understand what this disc was about and although I played it several times - each time I closed it down at the half way stage.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Good and bad
By stmirrenbill (1 review) , 19 Jul 2012Good to see the song develop in the studio but all the 60's political and arty stuff that happens around the studio scenes. is just annoying.- Was this review helpful to you?
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devil for sympathy
By juradino (813 reviews) from London , 20 Jul 2011Oh god, when I was young I watched this in double bill with Zabriskie Point and wondered how on Earth Rolling Stones got the money to jam in studio for ages to record one song when they claimed to be good musicians. I also thought that those scenes with black power were in New York. Now it looks like totally different film. Still, it has Brian Jones alive in it, sort of. It is almost like some elongated Old Grey Whistle Test with smatterings of Top of the Pops. Keith Richards plays bass and there is mysterious keyboard player who probably had to offset the drugs so that they came up with the final version. Interesting stuff.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Disappointing Stones
By CelluloidSniper (1 review) , 13 Jul 2011THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS Show review anywayHide
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I've got more than sympathy for the devil
By a customer from UK , 13 Apr 2010Wow, I love the long shots and the crazy metaphors. This is definately a film to digest rather than analyse, but if you like funky music and strange content this is for you. There are not many (or should I say any) films like this made nowadays. I cannot say that this is a shame because it is certainly of it's era, but it is upbeat and righteous.
I reckon we all need a bit more black power.
Don't think, just enjoy!- Was this review helpful to you?
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