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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A must for Abba fans everywhere, ABBA IN JAPAN captures a high-profile television special the group made for Japanese television in 1978 which became a highly successful promotional exercise. Having conquered Britain, Europe and Australia by this time, as well as scoring a few notable hits in America, Japan had so far remained somewhat immune to Abba's charms. Everything changed with a helping hand from this efficient but lavish-looking television extravaganza, after which the Japanese also took Abba to their hearts.
After thirty years the footage looks great and although most of the tracks are merely mimed to by the group, the likes of 'Money, Money, Money' and 'Thank You For The Music' are performed live with an orchestra and they come across very effectively indeed. A couple of the performances do suffer from rather intrusive dance routines, where the dancers are featured in front of Abba which places the group in the background for much of the time, but this is a minor quibble overall; anyway Agnetha and Frida look great throughout the proceedings! The special features a nice cross section of Abba's hits and some selected album cuts, including the majestic 'Eagle' and the stunning 'If It Wasn't For The Nights', and so it's little wonder that the Japanese were bowled over. I was half expecting to see a typically hyperactive Japanese television host coming on between the songs but mercifully the producers let Abba perform the introductions themselves - and in touching style too.
The behind-the-scenes documentary featured as an extra on the DVD is also interesting. Clearly, this is not going to be Abba's take on The Rolling Stones' GIMME SHELTER movie, but it nevertheless provides a worthy insight into the frenetic life of a pop group undertaking the sometimes unpredictable duties of promotion. Through the 20-minute film, we see Abba going through the prerequisite appearances on radio and attending press conferences, while conversely at one point they seem to be attempting to flatten large pieces of dough with enormous mallets in front of the assembled spectators! Well edited, the documentary echoes the hectic schedule of Abba's ten-day visit to Japan as they prepared to film the television special.
There doesn't seem to be a huge amount of Abba DVDs on the market, but ABBA IN JAPAN goes some way to redressing the balance. A beautifully shot film capturing Abba at their peak.
After thirty years the footage looks great and although most of the tracks are merely mimed to by the group, the likes of 'Money, Money, Money' and 'Thank You For The Music' are performed live with an orchestra and they come across very effectively indeed. A couple of the performances do suffer from rather intrusive dance routines, where the dancers are featured in front of Abba which places the group in the background for much of the time, but this is a minor quibble overall; anyway Agnetha and Frida look great throughout the proceedings! The special features a nice cross section of Abba's hits and some selected album cuts, including the majestic 'Eagle' and the stunning 'If It Wasn't For The Nights', and so it's little wonder that the Japanese were bowled over. I was half expecting to see a typically hyperactive Japanese television host coming on between the songs but mercifully the producers let Abba perform the introductions themselves - and in touching style too.
The behind-the-scenes documentary featured as an extra on the DVD is also interesting. Clearly, this is not going to be Abba's take on The Rolling Stones' GIMME SHELTER movie, but it nevertheless provides a worthy insight into the frenetic life of a pop group undertaking the sometimes unpredictable duties of promotion. Through the 20-minute film, we see Abba going through the prerequisite appearances on radio and attending press conferences, while conversely at one point they seem to be attempting to flatten large pieces of dough with enormous mallets in front of the assembled spectators! Well edited, the documentary echoes the hectic schedule of Abba's ten-day visit to Japan as they prepared to film the television special.
There doesn't seem to be a huge amount of Abba DVDs on the market, but ABBA IN JAPAN goes some way to redressing the balance. A beautifully shot film capturing Abba at their peak.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I can't add a lot to what's already been said about this surprise release DVD from Polar/Universal. But would just like to add that the DVD especially the limited edition, manages to achieve two things. Firstly that it's great to see ABBA performing in a different setting to what we've all been used to, and the live renditions of the 3 tracks are certainly interesting with the Swedish backing band going head to head with a Japanese orchestra! ABBA themselves seemed totally un-phased by this proving just how underated they were live. Secondly the 2 documentaries give a very good insight just why the world took ABBA into their hearts. So much of their real personalities shine through. Frida's playful personality is hilarious, as she constantly throughout both docu's insists on singing a song about a squirrel in Japanese that she has learned-even as they're leaving at Tokyo airport, there she is again, messing about singing and pulling faces at the camera! Benny shows his rebellious side by making some very funny remarks and smoking at the airport. Agnetha who always seems to be tagged as shy and reserved has some very funny moments too, especially waltzing with Frida during rehersals and the witty retorts at the mention of her bottom! It's a joy to see her warmth and humour. In fact they all come across like a bunch of good mates on holiday. This DVD is fantastically presented and packaged and whether you're an ABBA fan or merely nostalgic and looking for a real 70's timepiece that happens to feature the most talented songwriting/performing combo of that era, then this is worth every penny and does the job in style. The packaging is beautiful too and I'm wondering what other gems universal have up their sleeves for future release?
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
What a great release! Abba come across as humble and humorous and take indignities like being thrust in the background to make way for the over the top Japanese dancers in their stride...during the live 'Thank you for the Music' the group are subjected to a cascade of shiny gold paper falling on top of them, bits of which end up in Agnetha and Frida's mouths. The girls remove the offending objects most delicately. There are a couple of times when they appear to be trying to hold back from bursting out laughing. They seem much more relaxed then they do during footage of their 1977 Australian tour. Perhaps they preferred the gifts from fans - tasteful kimonos rather than stuffed koalas. The documentaries also have some tasty revealing moments..watch Frida and Agnetha waltz around together during rehearsals, putting paid to ongoing rumours that they couldn't stand the sight of eachother. There are also glimpses of Frida's son and Bjorn's then new wife Lena, and Benny constantly with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
Abba made many TV specials in different countries..here's hoping we can look forward to a series of 'Abba in Germany', 'Abba in Oz', "Abba in the US', 'Abba in England'...Yes, I have a dream.
Abba made many TV specials in different countries..here's hoping we can look forward to a series of 'Abba in Germany', 'Abba in Oz', "Abba in the US', 'Abba in England'...Yes, I have a dream.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
ABBA in Japan (and now on my DVD shelf!)
Being a huge ABBA fan I was over-the-moon when this was released.
The box is made with real quality and you can really see what you're paying for, it's super-glossy and... Read more
The box is made with real quality and you can really see what you're paying for, it's super-glossy and... Read more
Published 22 months ago by A. WILLIAMS
I MISS THEM
THE GREATEST POP GROUP OF ALL TIME, THEY ARE SO GOOD THAT EACH SONG IS A NUMBER ONE HIT,
IT'S A SHAME AMERICA JUST RECENTLY DISCOVERED THIS.
IT'S A SHAME AMERICA JUST RECENTLY DISCOVERED THIS.
Published on 9 May 2010 by Cristian Bruno
TaiwanMike
Great service on a product that is hard to obtain I Believe. Another sample of the grear service from Amazon
Published on 21 April 2010 by Mr. Michael A. Harvey
not for abba fans
ABBA: Live in Japan [DVD] [1978] [US Import]
to us who remeber abba live at wembley stadium, this dvd would be a grave dissapointment
unprofessional staging,... Read more
to us who remeber abba live at wembley stadium, this dvd would be a grave dissapointment
unprofessional staging,... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by W. Williams
It Could Be Much Better, If...
This is a great dvd! But It could be better. Cause it wasn't included all TV Specials released in Japan, like:
20 Nov News Centre 9:00 Japan
22 Nov 11PM Japan
22 Nov... Read more
20 Nov News Centre 9:00 Japan
22 Nov 11PM Japan
22 Nov... Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2010 by Roberto de Oliveira
ABBA In Japan (Deluxe Version) [DVD] [2009]
Realmene un DVD de primera calidad, en cuanto a la imagen y el audio.
Con extras que dan sorpresas al verlo. Read more
Con extras que dan sorpresas al verlo. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2010 by G. Mauro Alberto
abba in japan
Fantastic account of ABBA specials in Japan. Great behind the scenes documentaries and the stickers that come with the deluxe edition are awesome. Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2009 by Frank Horstmann
A Must Have for ABBA fans
The ABBA in Japan TV Special is excellent and well worth the money.
The two documentaries about their visits to Japan in 1978 and 1980 are interesting and show the four of... Read more
The two documentaries about their visits to Japan in 1978 and 1980 are interesting and show the four of... Read more
Published on 24 Nov 2009 by Mr. Robert Westlake
ABBA IN JAPAN TV SPECIAL.
HELLO.
Im not going to say to much, As most of it has been said in the other reviews. i bought the abba in japan delux dvd, i thought it was great to see abba in there... Read more
Im not going to say to much, As most of it has been said in the other reviews. i bought the abba in japan delux dvd, i thought it was great to see abba in there... Read more
Published on 18 Nov 2009 by S. COPLEY
abba-dabba-doo !
a fantastic buy for every abba fan everywhere! great tv special although most tracks are mimed a few live gems on here make up for it. Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2009 by oliver twisted
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