The ABBA Story - The Winner Takes It All [DVD] [1999]

The other good inclusions are rare video footage (for example, a very youthful ABBA performing Waterloo in Swedish before their Eurovision selection committee); the chance to hear from ABBA's behind-the-scenes crew - people who worked alongside the group; and the so-very-Swedish candid nature with which the four discuss both their successes and their failures, their strengths and their weaknesses. Having modern-day celebrities offer their take on events also helps make this video accessible to the younger audience.

The big drawback on this video is Agnetha. Agnetha retired to Sweden in 1988 and supposedly no longer speaks English well. She refused to be interviewed on camera, but instead agreed to record an audio interview and to let the crew shoot some pictures of her in her home and neighbourhood. This is a shame as Agnetha in many ways was ABBA's face and that she chooses to hide it now detracts from what the video tries to accomplish.

Still, I give this video five stars, and you should buy it for no other reason than to listen to Frida Lyngstad's Swedish accent (watch out for her pronunciation of "a specific track") A video to stick in the cupboard and bring out when you have an afternoon or evening to kill. Enjoy!

I would have to agree with a previous reviewer, that if you want to know about the making of the musical "Mamma Mia" this DVD is a fine starting point. However, if you want to know more about Abba, this DVD is not going to fill too many gaps in your lack of knowledge. I found the interviews with Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha, and Frida to be too short, where surely there should have been more time devoted to them and the magic they created as a group!

Would I have bought this for myself? Sasdly the answer is no.

As for the content itself, interviews with and footage of the group members about Abba are what makes this interesting (including early material from Swedish TV), especially the voice of Agnetha, even if she is simply reading parts from the English version of her book Som Jag Ar. Unfortunately, and perhaps cynically, much of the programme is about Mamma Mia. This is of scant interest, and the inclusion of Steps and Bjorn Again unnecessary. Pete Waterman's talking head is an irritation.

With so much footage still not released, eg Abba's appearances on the Olivia Newton-John TV special from 1978, the Music for UNICEF concert, and many other appearances, performances and interviews, it is a pity that this release has so much padding which has nothing to do with the group. I can only hope that future releases will meet fans' demands. This does not include the ITV show featuring celebrities and Pop acts covering Abba songs. This dreadful show should be consigned to oblivion. Denise Van Outen's performance of Gimme Gimme Gimme is a punishment.