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Australia released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Captured on tour and 'off-duty' this almost lost and forgotten documentary concert film showcases one of the world's most respected singer song writers. Following Leonard Cohen on his 1972 World Tour - featuring performances in Berlin Vienna Copenhagen and Israel this is an exciting release of a once controversial film directed by legendary prize winning film maker Tony Palmer. Fresh and exhilarating Leonard Cohen's artistry and creative force soars through 19 classic performances including Famous Blue Raincoat Sisters of Mercy and So Long Mariane and features some of his most rousing and thought-provoking poetry. Bird on a Wire has been painstakingly restored & reedited from recently discovered footage. ...Bird on a Wire
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I saw Tony Palmer present this film recently, and he talked about it for about an hour. The film was made in the early '70s and, as Cohen wasn't happy with it, Palmer passed it to Cohen to re-edit. The re-edited version was shown a couple of times but was deemed to be pretty much a mess. The film was then lost. Recently, the audio tapes were found, together with editing fragments of film. The film here is a reconstitution by Tony Palmer of the original film, using the fragments. I don't know how close it is to the original edit, as Palmer was working from memory after a thirty-year gap. It was intended by Palmer to be a film about Leonard Cohen; not just a record of a tour. Palmer had complete access to Cohen for the duration of the tour and it is a very interesting and moving record of a significant artist in his prime. The price of the DVD is amply justified by the Jerusalem concert sequence alone, which is amazing and very moving, and it left me emotionally drained. It can be argued that some of Cohen's performances on this DVD are superior to the versions on the records that made his name, and I know there is industry interest in obtaining the rights to the tapes to release a CD.
I agree with the previous reviewer that there is a sequence of footage from the Vietnam war that is gruesome, but it is not inappropriate because it occurs just after Cohen speaks about the political meaning in his work, and this was in the early '70s in the aftermath of the Vietnam war when political currents were running fast and powerfully.
I agree with the previous reviewer that there is a sequence of footage from the Vietnam war that is gruesome, but it is not inappropriate because it occurs just after Cohen speaks about the political meaning in his work, and this was in the early '70s in the aftermath of the Vietnam war when political currents were running fast and powerfully.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By KTpl
Format:DVD
I bought this dvd without consideration due to the fact that I like Leonard Cohen too much. It is pretty like a documentary not a typical concert video I should warn you. However, if you are a good fan of Leonard Cohen you would enjoy it definitely because it is one of the oldest and finest concerts of Cohen. I really enjoyed the DVD with it's interesting and informative concert tour memories. In addition to this, if you'd like to watch the documentary of Cohen with some concert videos you should purchase it.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Gerrida
Format:DVD
This is a wonderful film originating from Leonard Cohen's 1972 tour through Europe, ending in Jerusalem. It seems as if no one had been aware of the cameras on as well as off-stage, so the viewer gets a very close and intimate look at what happened before, during and after the gigs. There are some confrontational moments when fans wanted an explanation from Mr Cohen and the band and even their money back because of the breakdown of the sound system, also many moving scenes which almost leave you in tears.
If one takes into account that Tony Palmer had about 3000 fragments of film to put together without anything but his memory to rely upon, this is just an amazing film. It captures the atmosphere of the 70's, the talent and wisdom of the young poet/singer, the love and admiration of his fans, also the technical and other practical issues the artist and his band had to deal with. The footage of Leonard Cohen as a child and young writer and his love of the sixties, Marianne Ihlen, is heart-warming.
This excellent film is a must have for all Cohen fans and for anyone who has some interest in the music history of the time.
If one takes into account that Tony Palmer had about 3000 fragments of film to put together without anything but his memory to rely upon, this is just an amazing film. It captures the atmosphere of the 70's, the talent and wisdom of the young poet/singer, the love and admiration of his fans, also the technical and other practical issues the artist and his band had to deal with. The footage of Leonard Cohen as a child and young writer and his love of the sixties, Marianne Ihlen, is heart-warming.
This excellent film is a must have for all Cohen fans and for anyone who has some interest in the music history of the time.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Every Cohen fan must buy this
This was very moving in a way i didn't expect. It is more a tour diary than a concert film and so you have backstage footage galore and mistakes, problems, hassles,and triumphs... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Tando
2.0 out of 5 stars
Cohen's great - Palmer's not
As others have said, this is a brilliant document of Cohen's 72 tour. I can't help but be moved by the songs and the sheer exhaustion the whole band feel when they come to their... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2011 by O Baker
4.0 out of 5 stars
historic cohen
bearing in mind the history of this filming and how much was 'lost' in the past, this is a fascinating, if sometimes disturbing, portrayal of his tour and the pitfalls that artists... Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2011 by J. Stretton
5.0 out of 5 stars
The great documentary director
Was switching between the channels and saw the documentary about Leonard Cohen on BBC4, but was captivated and could not stop watching. Read more
Published on 28 Dec 2010 by Fisherqueen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bird On A Wire
This is an honest account of early Cohen tour warts and all. Makes good contrast to tour of Songs from the Road. Well packaged.
Published on 25 Sep 2010 by Jason
4.0 out of 5 stars
almost perfect
Bird on a Wire is a must for anyone who enjoys Leonard Cohen. Insightful and moving it leaves you with a lump in the throat at the end as the film transmits Leonard's emotional... Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2010 by Peter A. Rhodes OBE
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