Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii (1972) User Reviews (51)

All rock music lovers MUST see this film.

[jenrpeep · 10/10 · 15 August 2005]

This film is nothing short of "must see" documentary history. I'll never be able to fully express how moving it is to see the young men of Pink Floyd during uninhibited moments of creativity, eating and chatting together, rehearsing, having philosophical discussions about the fate of rock-n-roll music and the shaking off of their drug-oriented image, and even arguing now and then.

Beyond how intriguing the band and it's members are, the film itself is so well directed and beautifully shot. The sound is excellent. Incredibly artistic film montages add to, rather than detract from the music. I have never seen a better portrayal of live music. The sheer musicianship of these men is mind boggling. Each is highlighted at different points in the film and it is clear that they have immense skill and talent.

Pink Floyd was so ahead of its time and will never seem out of style. And this film, although shot in 1972, is as fresh as a daisy. There are some incomparable moments, making this truly the best rock documentary I have ever seen. David Gilmour looks very handsome, by the way, and will always be my favorite guitar god. **swoon**

The Best work of the Floyd by Far

[jayp1687 · 10/10 · 1 March 2006]

This is a concert with documentary inserts between songs set next to the Pompeii volcano. This is one if not the best musical performance by the Floyd. The set up and background provides an eerie/mysterious feel to it that is amplified by intense tracks such as "Careful with that Axe Eugene." Panned views of the volcano and computer generated graphics add to the effects. It unlike any other concert they have played in being that the only fans were those involved in the setup and movie creation. Songs like "One of These Days" provide an up-tempo song that highlights the drummer's capabilities. While the classic "Us and Them" shows their more mellow jazz oriented style. Extremely well produced a must see for any true Floyd fan.

A magical performance.

[genesisj · 10/10 · 4 June 2000]

Unfortunately this is the only film of them for future generations to see, but fortunately it is good enough to do them justice. This was filmed without an audience which is fitting as their "audience" didn't discover them until Dark Side of the Moon. The songs they perform are an excellent window into their genius. Sadly even today you won't hear these songs on classic rock stations because they are too long & you can't dance to them. My son was a post DSotM fan, but when he heard their earlier works he found a whole new band. The songs in this film will stand the test of time, I am sure. If they had made more performance films I would be in heaven. I will only have the memories of seeing them live.

A must have DVD.

[rollnrocker · 30 January 2004]

If you're a Floyd fan, then you know that the best way to experience their music is with both audio and visual. That's why this new dvd, `Live in Pompeii' is a must have. If you already own and love the video version like I do, you'll be blown away by the dvd. It has both the original version (in pan scan, minus the interviews) and a new director's cut (widescreen, with added interviews) as well. The visuals in this video are just amazing. The ancient amphitheater among the ruins of Old Pompeii is awesome and a great place for the band to play. There is a great mosaic shot of Nick Mason that is pretty trippy. The director's cut has footage from the band's recording of Dark Side, and some great interviews with the guys. This is definitely a must have for anyone's Floyd collection.

Fantastic!

[tau_ceti_ · 10/10 · 28 May 2002]

I absolutely love the Pink Floyd, but have been let down by Floyd-related things in the past, so I was quite wary of this movie. It managed to win me over, however, and now it's one of my favourites.

It was absolutely hysterical to see Mason go absolutely wild and smash his drums so hard that one of his sticks was flung off into the distance. It was amazing, how fast he managed to recover with a spare. Makes you wonder if he has some sort of quick release drum stick gadget hidden somewhere in his pants.

All in all, a fantastic piece. I highly recommend it!

Pompeii is the greatest

[redhed0417 · 10/10 · 2 September 2006]

I have been watching this DVD of Pompeii over and over and I just can't seem to get enough of it. I happen to really enjoy the interviews with the band members as I find them to be quite amusing! They have left my friends and I with many memorable quotes to use. The music on the Pompeii disc is unbelievably incredible and it only makes me appreciate the Floyd that much more. This DVD is the best ever. I do believe however that only a true Floyd fan can truly appreciate this movie, including the interviews. The shot of Dave with his headphones on coming out from behind the shadows to look at the cameraman just sends me over the edge every time I watch it. It makes me feel as if he is just looking at me, and it makes me melt every time. Nick to me seems a tad pompous at times but I understand he is from the upper crust of society. Rick seems a bit mousy at times, but his playing outdoes any of that. Roger of course is genius and Dave is unrivaled in his playing (and his looks!!)

Best Documental/Concert Movie Ever

[juancarlos_gmg · 10/10 · 4 March 2007]

The idea. The scenario. The music. The performance. The Band. The greatest.

I can only say that Pompeii and Pink Floyd talk for themselves. It transmitted me the complete idea of what Pink Floyd is...or was in that time. After seeing this movie every music lover will be you delighted and every Pink Floyd fan will be enlightened (and if you do not like music nor pink floyd at all don't bother continuing reading this commentary).

The songs perfectly match the Greek amphitheatre, the space sequences shown, and every song was PERFECTLY performed, so exact, including the participation of a dog singin the blues in "Mademoiselle Nobs", Roger banging the gong with the sun behind (an amazing picture!!!), the speechless improvising between songs, that leaves you only with the desire of having been there when it all happened.

It also contains some fragments of what was the beginning of the recording of the masterpiece "Dark Side of the Moon" and commentaries by the four, which you'll find very interesting and wise, which give you also the perspective of Pink Floyd by its members.

Buy, beg, borrow or steal...(well, not steal), but see it right away cause Adrian Maben and Pink Floyd really hit the spot in this one.

Worth the price of admission...

[zerodegreesk · 10/10 · 26 July 2002]

This movie gets better each time I watch it. The performances are pretty good. The "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" cut is fantastic, with the lights being raised up to the climax and then dimming back out. Very effective. Even the interviews, which don't make the band look particularly well, are entertaining. They need to release this on DVD already, don't you think? I bought a VCD version of it, but the video quality is horrible. DVD please!!!

Simply Astonishing

[atk92 · 9/10 · 10 September 2013]

It really should be no surprise that Pink Floyd of all bands could put together such a fantastic live performance. PULSE is one of the best live sets I have ever seen, but for the longest time Live at Pompeii eluded my attention. The first twelve minutes and the last twelve minutes of the movie are devoted to the best version of "Echoes" that I have ever heard. Other songs included in the set are "One of These Days", "A Saucerful of Secrets", and "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun". Depending on which version you watch, you will also get a glimpse of the band working in the studio on tracks for Dark Side of the Moon.

The cinematography of the movie has already been complimented upon by numerous reviewers, but it is definitely worth complimenting again, because it is so good. The actual interviews with band members vary in quality. Most interviews with Roger Waters involve him just messing with the interviewer. Mason and Gilmour are alright, but the best interview of the film is probably with the most under-appreciated member of the band, keyboardist Richard Wright. I watched this movie under the impression that is was only live set, and instead became an interesting mixture of live performances of music video quality intertwined with interviews and just filming the band hanging out in the studio. It almost seems like a documentary, and it works refreshingly well.

If I had to give the highlights of the performances, I would say that "Echoes" is a very obvious choice and is by far the highlight of the set. A not so obvious second in my opinion is "Careful With That Axe Eugene". This song manages to be so menacing yet subtle that I just can't help but like it. In both cases I find these performances superior to the studio recordings. The main detractor of this film is that "Echoes" is broken up into two parts. With a song so psychedelic and epic, it is such a shame it was cut in half. If the movie ended with the song in its entirety, it would have been almost perfect.

Never get tired of watching it!

[gwen-chaloner · 10/10 · 26 March 2008]

Unbelievably nostalgic yet so fresh! Brilliant DVD, the music is fantastic as always, the sound quality, visuals and whole production amazing. For years I only knew what they looked like in the 90s and later. To see how they looked in the 70s is awesome. I used to feel ambivalent about some of their music, I loved some of it but not all. Having this DVD to play and replay made me realize just what great musicians they were and still are and I usually follow it with Pink Floyd at Live 8, when the four of them got back together again for the first time in years. Amazing to see the march of time in their faces, they're my generation so its not off putting or anything. In fact it just confirms what we've all known for so long, Pink Floyd are Timeless (and still very handsome! I'll always love you David! Sigh!)

PINK FLOYD: LIVE AT POMPEII (Adrian Maben, 1972) **1/2

[Bunuel1976 · 6/10 · 18 August 2006]

In preparation for the Roger Waters concert held here in Malta yesterday night, I decided to watch this filmed relic of pre-superstardom Pink Floyd which I've taped off local TV several years ago. Obviously, the psychedelia--tinged songs including "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun" (which Waters also included in his Malta set) can't be faulted and the fact that the film offers a unique insight into the birth of the Floyd's magnum opus, "Dark Side Of The Moon" (1973) - which would forever change their fortunes and status in rock - would arguably make this essential viewing for serious rock fans everywhere.

However, I have to say that the film as a whole was somewhat disappointing: starting from the fact that the title is a misnomer as this is not a filmed concert but rather a no-nonsense rehearsal, since only members of the crew (the band's and the film's) are present on the strikingly picturesque site of the Pompeii ruins, this is a largely uninspired filming of an emerging and ambitiously progressive band with static shots of the performing members alternating with repetitive crane shots and interspersed with images of bubbling volcanic lava. Besides, the film-makers' attempts at catching the Floyd in a casual mood (dining, during recording sessions, giving candid interviews and having in-band discussions) pale significantly in comparison to what The Beatles did in A HARD DAY'S NIGHT (1964).

Director's Cuts aren't always that great.

[hotrats2112 · 10/10 · 23 May 2007]

I originally saw Live at Pompeii years ago then went on the hunt for the then out of print VHS. I have to say that as brilliant as the film is I am not a fan of the director's cut on the DVD with all the alternate clips (especially the new intro). Don't get me wrong, this is still an amazing must have for any Floyd fan. It documents the band after the Meddle album was released and right on the cusp of their major breakout (Dark Side of the Moon) which would officially end their psychedelic phase. The film gives a brilliant insight into the live and studio aspects of the Floyd which, as a musician, is always fascinating. If you like to see the inner workings of a band in the studio, performing live and on the road this film provides plenty. There are clips of the band recording Dark Side, interviews which provide a glimpse into how they perceived themselves and the evolution of the band (ex. Nick Mason saying they are all done because 1967 is long gone) and clips from the road with all the typical rock star banter and complaining ("And no crust!!!"). If you've never seen the original of this film then the newer DVD will probably be just as wonderful as the original is for me. I don't like change. Pink Floyd is a monumental rock band and this period of time for them shows some of the well thought out musical genius that was, and will always be Pink Floyd.

Interesting, but...

[jimmygeekrock · 7/10 · 11 January 2009]

There's no contesting Pink Floyd's impact on rock and roll (or on the recording of music post-1973). Despite any tarnishing that may have happened to their legacy thanks to the fake Floyd packages and Roger Waters' runaway ego, they were a great band. One of the greatest.

So I was a little confused what to make of this DVD. There's no denying that the band have some interesting interplay. There's no denying that they put together some great tunes here and there. There's no denying what a great location this concert was shot in. It might be the single best concert location ever committed to film. But the reality is that this is the Floyd before they broke free. Before Dark Side of the Moon pushed them over the top. What we're left with is a hit and miss compilation. There are some great moments, but there are also some truly trying stretches. Imagine a bunch of stoned hippies trying to turn a three minute single into a thirty minute "masterwork." Now add organ.

Great moments. Great band. Just not their best work.

Great movie

[pozy · 6 February 1999]

I just bought this movie today ay Best Buy, having rented it about five years ago. I am just astounded at the quality of the cinematography. If this this was just a movie it should have won an Academy Award for cinematography. But it is a documentary about one of the greatest bands of all time. Pink Floyd are the Beatles of the 1970's. This movie shows Pink Floyd at their best and happiest, in the early 70's. There is alos footage of the recording of the best album since Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Dark Side of the Moon. This band is so meticulous, and so conscious of what they put out. Their talent is so enormous, I would recommend this video to anyone. The musician-ship is so good by all members of the band, David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Richard Wright. It is so great to see them perform live and to be so young and talented. I was impressed especially by Richard Wright and Nick Mason. They are so good in this movie. So are Roger Waters and David Gilmour. David Gilmour's guitar playing moves me to tears. He is so good. Roger Waters songwriting is just so excellent. I wish that all four would get back together again and tour. Thank you Pink Floyd.

A wonderful live Performance!

[jeffrey.davis · 10/10 · 8 July 2000]

I loved this performance. Not only does Pink Floyd jam in an abandoned amphitheater in Pompeii, but they played some of the best old school Floyd songs. I've always wanted to see Pink Floyd perform "Saucerful of Secrets", and "Set the Controls for the heart of the Sun" live. It was amazing to watch them play so many different instruments throughout multiple tacks and still sound the way it was meant to. Roger Waters does one heck of a job on the percussion side of several songs as well. To top it all off, they also show some footage of how "Dark Side of the Moon" was recorded at Abbey Road studios. The interviews and anecdotes of the band is truly entertaining. After watching this video, I wish I could have been there during the taping. It was done beautifully.

Unique and imaginative reimagining of what a cinematic live concert film could be

[Red-Barracuda · 8/10 · 23 May 2018]

Before I saw this one I always assumed that this would be a standard live performance film. Well, looking back on it, I guess the clue is in the title, as Pompeii is no longer a bustling metropolis so it seems kind of unlikely it was going to have a typical concert venue - mount Vesuvius put paid to all of this some time ago, I won't go into specifics as to why but trust me, it ended in tears.

So what we have instead is Pink Floyd and crew in concert without an audience, but in the middle of one of Pompeii's amphitheatres. The performance is intercut with shots of the famous old Roman ruins, the beautiful artwork and still active volcano. The camera pans and zooms slowly around and it is all rather wonderful actually. This film catches Pink Floyd on the brink of superstardom, just prior to the release of the Dark Side of the Moon album. It captures them in their early psychedelic era, which I find the most dynamic and interesting in the band's history personally. There are many fantastic performances here, of songs such as 'Echoes', 'Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun' and 'Careful with that Axe, Eugene', the latter a song forever immortalised alongside the explosion to end all explosions in the finale of Michelangelo Antonioni's misunderstood counterculture classic Zabriskie Point (1970). Live in Pompeii remains one of the very best live concert films ever and is a very successful marriage of visual artistry and music; which is appropriate given Pink Floyd's ambitions.

Wonderful

[Jose E · 10/10 · 9 August 2002]

This is what Pink Floyd were like before Dark Side of the Moon shattered their status as a cult band. By performing in such peculiar surroundings they showed they didn't care if this was a daring move - playing live with no public but an empty amphitheater build 2000 years before.

The songs are greatly performed - the only flaws are the filming, that sometimes doesn't show what it should. Examples of that are One Of These Days and near the end of Echoes, part 1. However, the video is a must see and have for any true Floyd fan. The Mademoiselle Nobs bit with the dog singing to a blues melody is amusing, reminding us of the same device used in the track Seamus from the Meddle album.

By the way, it is said there is one edition of this video featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of the band in the studio, but unfortunately this is not the one I've got.

Forget about the lame stuff the Roger-less Floyd have put out and sit down, relax and watch a great piece of music.

10/10.

British psychedelia at its best...

[johnfos · 9/10 · 12 July 2005]

Much has been made of the DVD release of the extended 2003 Director's Cut of Live at Pompeii, but I actually prefer the 'Concert Footage' option in the features section of the DVD...

Following the departure of the Late Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd's psychedelic sound was consolidated with the album Meddle (1971), and three tracks on Live at Pompeii come from this album. The epic song, 'Echoes', is presented in two parts and has poetic lyrics: "Overhead the albatross hangs motionless upon the air... And deep beneath the rolling waves in labyrinths of coral caves... The echo of a distant tide... Comes willowing across the sand... And everything is green and submarine."

The atmospheric 'One of These Days' features the line "One of these days I'm going to cut you into little pieces" sung by drummer Nick Mason. And a blues number, 'Mademoiselle Nobs', features a howling Russian wolf-hound and Dave Gilmour on Harmonica.

Two excellent tracks were later released on the 1973 smash hit album Dark Side of the Moon: 'Us and Them' and 'Brain Damage'.

Also featured are 'Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun' and 'A Saucerful of Secrets' both from the 1968 Saucerful of Secrets album. And there is one other fascinating track: 'Careful with that Axe Eugene'...

Trivia: Pink Floyd was named after two blues musicians: Pink Anderson and Floyd Council.

Breathtaking documentary of the legendary group in their prime

[Quinoa1984 · 10/10 · 19 June 2003]

Not only does Live at Pompeii accomplish the assignment of documenting early Pink Floyd (though not early enough to have Syd Barrett), but it's directed by Adrien Maben with such an electric, slow to quicker and back to slow pace that even non-Floyd fans should take a look at this.

The film starts off with a bang- "Echoes", part.1, as well as the concluding part.2, rivals the version on their Meddle album, and in my opinion is their best, most free-wheeling (yet not in overtly psychedelic) improvisational piece. Along with this are the spooky "Careful with that Axe Eugene", the menacing "One of these days (I'm going to cut you into little pieces)", the mind-blowing "Saucerful of Secrets", the serene "Set the controls for the Heart of the Sun", and even a wonderful piece with a dog on vocals and Gilmour on Harmonica called "Mademoiselle nobbs". These early noteworthy tracks from Floyd's pre-Dark Side catalog is also incorporated with studio footage of the group recording sections of that LP, as well as interview footage where Waters, Gilmour, and Mason explain some of their opinions on the current scene of music (at the time), if they really take drugs (personally, I don't trust them), and how synthesizers help their iconoclastic creations.

In truth Live at Pompeii was made more for the main fan base of Floyd fans, and for those looking for a "Floyd Fix" it's a must-own (I pray they release a DVD of this because of the noticeable pan and scan format on VHS), however for those who like music videos in general there are camera tricks and such different splicing and editing that it can boggle and possibly enlighten the mind. It's a unique piece for fans and a trippy curio for casual listeners. By the way, if you can, try to seek out the VHS tape of the film. It may not be what is called the 'director's cut' like on DVD, but it's superior by not including cheesy new visual effects that cut into the greater effect of the original 1972 cut.

A Notable Artifact from Rock's Golden Age

[Screen_O_Genic · 8/10 · 13 May 2019]

Filming the veteran Rock group in an audienceless amphitheatre in the ancient Roman town of Pompeii, director Adrian Maben created a pretty unique musical film that focuses more on atmosphere than a linear narrative that usually accompanied such flicks. Interposed with Sci-Fi effects, scenes from Pompeii and interviews with the band members and them working in the studio, the film is a visually viewable document on a confident and able band on the verge of superstardom. Pummeling drums and crashing cymbals, airy and spacey guitar, subtle keyboard touches and gentle vocals evoke the Psychedelia from outer space sound the band is known for. A pretty compelling visual and aural soundtrack of an age when young men with long hair and genuine talent ruled the music world, this is a musical emblem of another time from the distant and enduring past.

a long video clip

[dromasca · 7/10 · 29 November 2008]

I have seen the short version of the film, as it has been broadcast last summer by the TV chain ARTE-TV. It is a great pleasure always for me to see in concert some of the great names of rock from the 60s or 70s, and in this case the quality of the film and the sound are very good. The setting is the amphitheater in Pompeii, combined with may shots from the ruins of the lost and rediscovered city. Beautiful setting, good music, and the faces of Pink Floyd members coming from time back more than 35 years ago - this is a fine experience for the music lovers. Otherwise the documentary value of the film is reduced, at least in this version. I read from other people comments that interviews and more preparation sequences exist in the longer version, unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to see them.

Pink Floyd (a.k.a. Pink Floyd Live At Pompeii)

[Seamus2829 · 10/10 · 19 April 2007]

I first saw this trippy concert documentary as a midnight movie some years ago (at least a year or two before 'The Wall'). As I always liked Floyd's music (especially the pre-Dark Side era Floyd), I sought out this film for some years, until the window of opportunity opened for me. As I watched Floyd perform a version of Echoes, which I liked even better than the one on the Meddle L.P., I just wished I had showed up stoned out of my bird. The film seems to have been filmed in several places,besides the ruins of that ancient Roman amphitheater (there are a few selections shot in a film studio). The interview sections are well documented, as well. There are sections of Floyd in the recording studio, working out the 'Dark Side' L.P. I wonder if any of that unused material has ever turned up on any Floyd bootleg? Now that I've heard that a longer version exists of this film, I'll have to scour the planet for a version of it. Does anybody know if there is either a DVD or VHS copy of it in existence? I would even settle for a bootlegged copy.

A Must For The True Fans

[Phantom Moonhead · 12 March 2000]

Pink Floyd,recorded live among the ruins of Pompeii. This 90 Minute film contains some superior versions of Floyd classics and also includes footage of the band eating at lunchtime and in the studio recording "Dark Side of The Moon". Some of the earlier tapes don't have the extra Dark Side footage,which was added later to help sales. Besides a few originals,tracks include "Echoes","A Saucerful of Secrets","Set The Controls For The Heart of The Sun","Careful With That Axe,Eugene","One of These Days" and also some alternate versions of a few Dark Side classics. Any Floyd fan out there who has not seen this should try to find it. It is interesting to say the least and I enjoy it much more than "The Wall"

Very good concert film/ documentary

[Jeremy_Urquhart · 8/10 · 30 April 2020]

It's not quite as good as 1994's PULSE, with less spectacle and not quite as great music (this last point is very subjective though, as I'm more of a fan of Pink Floyd's mid to late 70s output). The concert material is mostly great, added CGI animation aside, which is pretty dated. The other visuals, particularly of the beautiful surrounding landscapes, were really good though.

Still, the director's cut is probably worth it for the behind the scenes interview stuff. It's not as good as the music, and isn't hugely insightful, but it's still cool to get a glimpse of Pink Floyd doing their thing right before Dark Side Of the Moon would make them absolute musical legends.

It's a must watch for any Pink Floyd fan, but given its age and reputation I'm sure most fans have already seen it.

Closing one door, opening another.

[deprecation · 9/10 · 16 November 1999]

A long-haired, young, scrawny, unshaven Pink Floyd perform powerful versions of their early material. We are invited to listen to the epic ``Echoes'' while staring at boiling puddles of mud. David Gilmour's climactic vocal contribution on ``A Saucerful of Secrets'' is a gorgeous expression of joy... or is it a lament? This film is a revealing look at the budding talent of the foursome, exploring new musical avenues and approaching the zenith of its popularity.