Product Details

• Actors: AC, DC, Phil Rudd, Ronald Belford Scott, Cliff Williams
• Directors: Eric Dionysius, Eric Mistler
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: July 1, 1991
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300273199
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,349 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Two generations of AC/DC freaks have come of age since Let There Be Rock, but while the band has done just fine, thank you, with Brian Johnson as its lead singer, there are those who still consider the late Bon Scott to be the real AC/DC front man. They're the ones most likely to be stoked by the video release of this concert film, recorded in Paris in 1979--especially considering that it was Scott's final filmed performance; he died just two months later--but there's plenty here for all the band's adherents. They were riding high at the time on Highway to Hell, their biggest album to date, so about a third of the 13-song set comes from that recording--including the title tune, arguably the catchiest combination of riff and chorus in the entire AC/DC canon (although "The Jack," "Let There Be Rock," and "Whole Lotta Rosie" are right up there). But it's never really been about the tunes with these guys; theirs is a style built on crunchy, three-chord rock, short on melody but big on groove, with the anonymous but solid rhythm section of rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, drummer Phil Rudd, and bass player Cliff Williams holding it all down. Scott, a bare-chested shrieker, struts about like Robert Plant, but then as now, it's diminutive lead guitarist Angus Young who steals the show. Decked out in his usual schoolboy uniform, Young is a ball of antic energy from the first notes, duck-walking à la Chuck Berry, throwing himself on the floor, stalking and prancing about the stage, doing a kind of striptease and mooning the crowd during "Bad Boy Boogie"… and still managing to turn out some scorching solos. The film includes interview segments (featuring inane questions like "Are you waiting for the Third World War?" and "Do you feel you're a star?"), as well as some shots of the boys goofing around offstage--filler, basically, until we return to the power and glory of AC/DC's music. --Sam Graham

Product Description

Filmed at the 1980 Paris concert, the blazing heavy metal masters unleash 13 searing songs, including "Live Wire" "Highway to Hell" and "Let There be Rock." Year: 1980. Director: Eric Dionysius, Eric Mistler. Starring: Phill Rudd, Ronald Belford Scott, Cliff Williams, Angus Young, Malcolm Young.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Bon......., May 2, 2003

By 

scott belba (Auburn Mass) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AC/DC - Let There Be Rock [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Let There Be Rock is the 1979 concert in Paris put on by the legendary rock band AC/DC with their original lead singer Bon Scott. The concert was in support of the album Highway To Hell and a year later Bon would be dead and AC/DC would have the biggest seller of there carear with Back In Black, but this one's about Bon.
The video is a blend of concert fottage and interviews with the band.
The set list includes some of the bands hits like Highway To Hell, Rocker, Sin City, and Whole Lotta Rosie. Watching this vid really puts you up close with the band and gives you an insight as to the inner workings.
The interviews and back stage fottage is a double edge sword becouse as usual Bon and Lead guitarist Angus Young give the bulk of the interviews. Some of the questions borderline on inane like "Are you waiting for the third world war?", seem very foolish and forced but the movie has its moments of fun. The on stage fottage is fantastic and Bon comes off as both charming and affable. Angus and Malcolm Young (Angus's brother and backing guitar) along with Drummer Phill Rudd and Bassist Cliff Williams work in such perfect harmony with each other that it's not hard to see why AC/DC has such staying power.
By the end of the movie however you can't help but feel a little sad becouse after watching the movie you really feel that you got to know Bon well and knowing that he passed away a short time latter makes you feel for the loss suffered by not only the family and friends of Bon but by the music world all togeather.

39 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best of what AC/DC is all about!, July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: AC/DC - Let There Be Rock [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is old school AC/DC. Back in Black was just an idea in their bourbon-clouded heads at this point. But for hard core, blue-infused, heart-thumping, good old rock, this is it. There is an old saying about the Grateful Dead that applies equally to AC/DC in this era....."They aren't the best at what they do. They're the only ones that do what they do." Guns-n-Roses, Mettalica, Tool and others have tried but have gotten caught up in their own hype (and started singing f'in ballads of all things!!). If you need proof that AC/DC influenced a generation of bands, watch this video after a few shots of Jack. This band fought tooth and nail against the conventions of long-haired rockers that have screwed up their simple formula. Play simple songs. Play them well. Play them LOUD. And remember.....it's a long way to the top if you wanna rock-n-roll!!!

49 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic rock concert video needs to be on DVD!, November 23, 2002

By 

Continental Op "philmarlowe39" (San Clemente, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AC/DC - Let There Be Rock [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Since I've retired my VCR and turned to the DVD side of The Force, "AC/DC: Let There Be Rock" really needs to be on the new format. This video is a true rock classic and a must-have for any serious AC/DC fan.

Filmed in Paris from one of the band's last concerts with legendary screamer Bon Scott, "Let There Be Rock" shows why AC/DC was recently labeled by Q Magazine as "The #1 Band You Must See Before You Die". The sheer energy and ferociousness of Angus Young's performance is truly a wondrous sight to behold. And the rest of the band keeps chugging along with an intensity that few rock bands have had either before AC/DC's late 1970's/early 1980's heyday or since.

The interviews are pointless, but amusing to see Angus & Co. get more and more fluthered as the film goes on. In particular, Bon Scott displays his legendary charm (and his forgettable stage wardrobe). Scott's charm might come as a surprise to the casual onlooker, particularly for a man who penned Shakespearean sonnets like "Big Balls", "Beating Around the Bush" and "Up to My Neck in You".

No matter, I once showed this video to my twentysomething neighbor who listened to nothing but 2Pac and the Wu-Tang Clan. He quickly became an AC/DC convert after laughing hysterically at Angus' on-stage antics and being wowed by his incredible guitar virtuosity.

Once again, this video is a must for serious AC/DC fans and the only reason it didn't get five stars was due to its unavailability on DVD. Come on! Get with the program!