Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Polygram Video
• VHS Release Date: March 2, 1999
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630530162X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,756 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

At its best, VH-1's Behind the Music series walks a fine line between valentine and deep dish, coaxing personal tragedies and dark career missteps from its subjects while still acknowledging their achievements and saluting the fans. This well-timed profile of the Canadian country crossover queen is an apt example, benefiting from abundant early video footage and a willingness (albeit very delicately employed) to raise some of the tougher questions about her public image.

The former Eilleen Twain's struggle from provincial lounge bands to a budding Canadian career, only to be thrust into the role of surrogate parent when her parents died in an auto accident, is presented sympathetically, of course, as is her identification with her adoptive father's Ojibwa culture. But the 60-minute documentary also notes subsequent media skepticism about this rags-to-riches saga, while allowing Twain and some passionate defenders (including singer Faith Hill and Nashville journalist Robert Oermann) to knock the nay-sayers.

Meanwhile, Twain's putative country credentials are examined more in terms of Nashville's Music Row power elite than her music. We learn how she was initially groomed as a country marionette, mouthing other people's songs, dismissed as an outsider, then begrudgingly accepted as a star after she teamed with producer and future husband Robert "Mutt" Lange to record her own songs. What's never really addressed is whether Twain's slickly crafted songs are true examples of country music, or archetypes of the chicken-fried mainstream pop-rock that now accounts for much of the "New Country" boom. Twain's readiness to exploit her beauty and aerobicized midriff is another story, of course, but who can blame the filmmakers?

If the story sometimes edges toward hagiography, crude but endearing video footage offers un-retouched glimpses of the future superstar in early, pre-pubescent performances, as well as in teenage Canadian TV excerpts, and as the big-haired, chameleon vocalist in a slick resort review. --Sam Sutherland

Product Description

At its best, VH-1's Behind the Music series walks a fine line between valentine and deep dish, coaxing personal tragedies and dark career missteps from its subjects while still acknowledging their achievements and saluting the fans. This well-timed profile of the Canadian country crossover queen is an apt example, benefiting from abundant early video footage and a willingness (albeit very delicately employed) to raise some of the tougher questions about her public image. The former Eilleen Twain's struggle from provincial lounge bands to a budding Canadian career, only to be thrust into the role of surrogate parent when her parents died in an auto accident, is presented sympathetically, of course, as is her identification with her adoptive father's Ojibwa culture. But the 60-minute documentary also notes subsequent media skepticism about this rags-to-riches saga, while allowing Twain and some passionate defenders (including singer Faith Hill and Nashville journalist Robert Oermann) to knock the nay-sayers. Meanwhile, Twain's putative country credentials are examined more in terms of Nashville's Music Row power elite than her music. We learn how she was initially groomed as a country marionette, mouthing other people's songs, dismissed as an outsider, then begrudgingly accepted as a star after she teamed with producer and future husband Robert "Mutt" Lange to record her own songs. What's never really addressed is whether Twain's slickly crafted songs are true examples of country music, or archetypes of the chicken-fried mainstream pop-rock that now accounts for much of the "New Country" boom. Twain's readiness to exploit her beauty and aerobicized midriff is another story, of course, but who can blame the filmmakers? If the story sometimes edges toward hagiography, crude but endearing video footage offers un-retouched glimpses of the future superstar in early, pre-pubescent performances, as well as in teenage Canadian TV excerpts, and as the big-haire

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A very headstrong and talented woman July 4, 1999

By [e-mail]

I think it was so courageous of Shania to take care of her siblings after her parents got killed in that head on collision. She is a woman who truly gave her all in life, and she really strove to make the most of it. She started out in poverty, and she ended up having several multi-platinum albums, and many #1s. She marks an era in both Country and Pop music, and she hit the #1 spot in both categories. Coming from me, an aspiring singer, I know it's not easy. Shania, my dream would be to sing with you, and you truly are #1!!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just My Opinion, In a Nutshell..... May 1, 2000

By Eric Degerstrom

Please understand that this is just my perspective, my opinion, but I consider this an exceptionally important and emotionally moving video.... that being said....I have to add...If someone made a 1 hour video of Shania Twain sitting on a sofa drinking tea....I'd buy it.....

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars touching February 24, 2000

By Kelliann Winkowski

I think that the VH1 behind the music are very interesting and I am glad they do it. It makes you realize that all artists do not always have the world handed to them on a silver platter. Shania grew up in poverty. Shania had to struggle to keep her family together after the death of her parents. She gave up everything in order to put food on the table. With her great success, (thanks to the help of her hubby Mutt Lang) She does not take life for granted, I think she knows, that it all can be taken away in just a short period of time. She appreciates the value of money. And she gives back to the world what she has been given.