Product Details

• Actors: Joseph Forester, Lloyd Banks, Bob Marley
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Polygram Video
• VHS Release Date: July 1, 1991
• Run Time: 70 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301955013
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,256 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It doesn't get more sublime than this. If anyone is still wondering what all the fuss was about, check this moment in reggae time controlled by the music's avatar, the late Robert Nesta Marley. Marley didn't write and sing songs; he channeled them. And he's clearly a man possessed here, witnessed by an ecstatic audience that's clearly been transported to another, better reality! Of the many performance videos and bio footage devoted to reggae's king, Live at the Rainbow is far and away the finest. Recorded with perfect discretion by the filmmakers during the summer of 1977, just as the Exodus album was peaking on charts and four years before his untimely death, Marley's charisma comes off the screen in potent waves. By then, of course, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer had gone their separate ways, and, unfortunately, a video of comparable quality was never made to capture that legendary joining. But the new Wailers band packed its own star power, including that generated by the late Carlton Barrett on drums and his equally legendary brother "Familyman" on bass, Junior Marvin on lead guitar, and the exquisite harmonies of Bob's backup trio. Dressed in modest, colorful Rastawomen gear, their hair covered, Marley's wife, Rita; Judy Mowatt; and Marcia Griffiths (the latter two were solo stars before they joined up with "Brother Joseph") created background harmonies that remain the competitive standard today. --Elena Oumano

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally available...with some rare songs..., February 21, 2005

By 

an acquaintance (interzone) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bob Marley and the Wailers Live at the Rainbow (DVD)

So it falls to me to review this first? This June 1977 concert at London's Rainbow Theater captures the recently reconfigured Wailers ending a European tour to promote the masterful 'Exodus' album. The rare videotaped performances of 'Trenchtown Rock' and 'Rebel Music', and 'Crazy Baldhead', dating from the earlier Wailers repertoire, and performed wonderfully well here, are the treasures of this collection, however. Missed notes on some songs, including the beginning of 'Exodus', and guitarist Junior Marvin's failure to notice his boss Bob about to start singing 'Lively Up Yourself', are minor annoyances, as is the loss of Aston Barrett's famous distinctive bass line in 'No More Trouble', jettisoned in favor of a 'new', harder sound (surely a reaction to the exciting energy of London's 'new wave' summer of 1977). By the way, it always annoyed me that the front cover picture on the VHS and now the DVD editions is most definitely not from this 1977 show, but rather is the same photo that graces the 1975 Live at the Lyceum album. I wish those responsible would show some commitment to historical accuracy, and use a photo from the actual show in '77. The DVD sound and picture are good, considering the age of the videotape source. I purchased my DVD copy of 'Live at the Rainbow' from Amazon France, and it includes an accompanying DVD entitled 'Carribbean Nights', which is an informative and enjoyable look at Marley's life and times. While 'Caribbean Nights' contains no full-length performances, it does contain several exciting if brief film clips of various performances such as the Leeds, UK 1973 show with Peter Tosh. Hopefully these early performances will someday make it onto DVD as well.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last, on DVD!, October 13, 2005

By 

Geeky Lion "Know before you speak" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bob Marley and the Wailers Live at the Rainbow (DVD)

Even though this concert is probably Bob Marley's most used performance, it is still a relief to see it on DVD. It is definitely a must have for all Reggae fans. I think it's too bad that they are still releasing the edited version on DVD. The actual performance is actually almost three hours long. The highlights of the show is when Bob sings Crazy Baldheads. I agree with the first reviewer on the fact that the concert in Dortmund, Germany is long overdue but so overlooked and it is in my opinion Bob Marley's best performance. The great news is that there is so much more to come for Bob Marley's fans like maybe the concert in Zimbabwe...
The documentary that originally aired on the Entertainment Channel under the name "The Bob Marley story", then oddly "Caribbean night" is one of my favorites. It's too bad that they edited out the Bunny Wailer interview featured in the original version for contract/money issues. I'm not sure if they made their way back on this DVD as I am reviewing this from my knowlegde of the VHS tapes.
If you were craving something "fresh" from Bob Marley, here it is?

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Natural mystic live, May 31, 2001

By 

Enrique Torres "Rico" (San Diegotitlan, Califas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bob Marley and the Wailers: Live! At the Rainbow [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Back in 1978 I was fortunate enough to have seen the king of reggae perform in a small amphitheatre. When Bob Marley and the Wailers hit the stage the audience knew they were in the presence of very special human being. When you watch this video for the first of a guaranteed many times you will be astounded by the magical charismatic vibe Bob Marley delivered to his audience. This excellent live performance captures the essence of his spiritual being and the dynamic energy he displayed. The accompanying musicians are minus Bunny Livingston and the late great Peter Tosh but have no doubt that this version of the Wailers was more than competent. The backup vocals by the I-Three's, which included his wife Rita Marley are as soulful as it gets. See Bob prance and contort on the stage like a shaman, with his wild dread locks flowing about as he casts his magic on the crowd. the interaction between Bob and the audience is a symbionic delight. Whether it is a down tempo number like "No Woman No Cry" or an exuberant original version of "Jamminng" Bob Marley struts his stuff like a man possessed. He had a message to convey to the world and in his short life of 36 years he achieved immortality and accomplieshed his goal of reaching many people. Twenty years have passed since his death and his music lives on and this live concert captures the vitality of his music. If you have never seen him perform this is a good video to get to see why he was and still is such a favorite throughout the world. See this video for a live performance nearly 25 years old but powered and fresh as a mystic breeze blowing in from Jamaica. Long live the Honorable Robert Nesta Marley!!!