Product Details

• Actors: Barbra Streisand, Steve Susskind, Judith Gordon, Philip Austin, Mike Myers
• Directors: Barbra Streisand, Dwight Hemion
• Writers: Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman
• Producers: Barbra Streisand, Dwight Hemion, David J. Goldberg, Gary Smith
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony
• VHS Release Date: September 27, 1994
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303224199
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,342 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

In the wake of MTV, disco, and the rise of reality-based television and 24/7 gossip, the notion of the pop diva has become commonplace, the title conferred on an increasingly broad (and dubious) array of ladies who sing. Consider this brilliant 1994 concert special, originally aired on cable, both as a warning about the debasement of the term, and as a primer on how a true pop diva comports herself. Acting as producer and director, and weaving her considerable gifts as an actress through a sumptuous bouquet of wonderful songs, Barbra Streisand creates a beautifully structured two-act review that works on multiple levels.

As autobiography, Barbra--The Concert shuttles adroitly between her plain Brooklyn origins and plush contemporary station as a Hollywood hyphenate. Using archival stills and film footage, as well as some deft film clips (such as a brief but disarming "duet" with Marlon Brando that reconstructs her "life-altering" teen crush on the actor) and witty sessions with an unseen therapist, Streisand manages to spoof her own image and tweak her supposed glamour, yet also celebrate her own persistent ambition and artistic achievement. Crucial to this self-analysis is a savvy choice of superb songs conspicuously skewed to Broadway musicals, from which she's chosen pieces that mirror her own beliefs and experiences. In the process, she makes such self-referential tactics seem revelatory instead of merely vain, succeeding in balancing romantic optimism, feminist self-determination, and flickers of amused detachment.

Spectacle and intimacy are likewise entwined to striking effect. A lavish stage set suggesting an oversized living room and the lush musical coloration of a full orchestra evoke great scale, yet the star meets her audience alone, a hostess ready to reminisce, meditate, or nakedly emote. Her hits are there, of course, but it's the thematic cohesion and collective emotional power that make Streisand's one-woman show a tour de force. Its five Emmy Awards are merely deserved confirmation that this is a rare entertainment indeed. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barbra Streisand 'The Concert Video + CD', December 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Barbra - The Concert : Live at Arrowhead Pond [VHS] (VHS Tape)

High Quality Streisand was 'The Concert' Video and CD. It was professional 'Top Drawer' all the way. I did not get a chance to see her live performance, but if the CD were a tape, I would have worn it out by now. The Video, well I need to replace that......it is very good, and I am not surprised it got a five star, from others. I have always enjoyed Babs and she never seems to let us down. My favorite part of 'The Concert Video' is when she does the psychatrist scenes. She is hilarious when she states: 'Have I ever seen a psychatrist? ' Slapstic Streisand....performs well. My favorite song is from Yentil. She does such a good blend with her alter voice in the screen video version. The blend is very well done. I have shown this video to anyone that wants to watch it. It is a favorite at my parties. People want to see it over, and over again. It is a crowd favorite.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barbra: On stage, Singing -- Right Where She Belongs, May 9, 1999

By 

Matt Howe "outloud98" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barbra - The Concert : Live at Arrowhead Pond [VHS] (VHS Tape)

She's older, wiser, and her voice has mellowed, but oh....There's nothing like Streisand LIVE. This television special is truly incredible. It starts with a mesmerizing editing job during the overture. By the time Marvin Hamlisch conducts "People" and Barbra makes her appearance (backstage video of her approaching the stage entrance) your spine is tingling! She steps onstage and the Arrowhead Pond audience goes crazy. Barbra sings "As If We Never Said Goodbye" and your eyes well up with tears!

The first act Barbra arranges around a psychiatrist theme -- couches and 60's songs! Ahh!

The second act is pure concert: Barbra on a stool singing great songs. When she launches into an incredible version of "Lazy Afternoon" you wonder why Barbra doesn't drag more great songs like this out of her past and sing them live. Incredible!

The climax (before 3 encores) is a medley from YENTL. When Barbra sings WITH HERSELF on "Piece of Sky" you'd think she'd blow the roof off the Arrowhead Pond! It's truly remarkable.

Buy it! Rent it! Own it! Barbra, sing live and release everything live!!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STAR, August 29, 2002

By 

F. Gentile (Lake Worth, Florida, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barbra - The Concert : Live at Arrowhead Pond [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I just re-watched this video after several years, and all the goosebumps are still there. It also re-confirms a fact: There is NO ONE alive on the planet today who is remotely as talented as Barbra Streisand. Though the days of her visibility and selling records in the big numbers might as well be considered pre-historic, she remains a true living legend, with any of the hype that surrounds celebrity today being totally unnecessary. I probably hadn't listened to her recordings or thought much about her in years, at the time of this concert. When I viewed it, it re-confirmed to me what true talent is, which you don't expect anymore, when the likes of Britney Spears are "superstars." Barbra in this concert is not only filled with humanity, charm, and humility, but "the voice" is as near perfect as any of her recordings....better, really. What might have been considered self-indulgence by anyone else, here, is only fascinating...she has the audience literally rising out of their seats at a mere gesture. There are many highlights, too many to mention. If you're a fan, this is truly the "ultimate event." If not, you should watch it anyway, to see first hand what is meant by "God given talent" There has never been anyone like Barbra Streisand, and there never will be.