Product Details

• Actors: Ric Ocasek, Ben Orr, Greg Hawkes, Elliot Easton, David Robinson
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Rhino / Wea
• VHS Release Date: October 24, 2000
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004YS4X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,903 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a splendidly entertaining document of this seminal 'New Wave' band, February 17, 2005

By 

Dave "missing person" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cars Live - Musikladen 1979 (DVD)

Although certain Cars fans favor the "Heartbeat City" era, I suspect that a high percentage of Cars lovers lean toward their first couple albums, from 1978 and '79 respectively, as their favorites. The concert performance contained herein was recorded for the German pop music series Musikladen in late 1978, and although The Cars received notoriously unflattering reviews from the British press on this European tour, every track is performed with a lot of energy and conviction anyway--it barely feels at all like they're merely going through the motions. The only time that technological primitiveness seems to be a problem is with the pompous, overloud syndrums at the beginning of "Good Times Roll"--the syndrums were kept in check on the studio version--and if this was the best they could do in a live setting, they should have just been smart & ditched them altogether instead of feeling the need to recreate the studio version so exactingly. As for the camera work, it's very tastefully done--Elliot Easton was a great lead guitarist and thankfully both he and synth player Greg Hawkes are given solid coverage so you can actually watch what they do. Hawkes' performance with various devices on "I'm In Touch With Your World" is impressive and highly amusing, plus it's interesting to see him switch to guitar making for a 3 guitar attack on "Take What You Want". Hawkes usually looks incredibly stiff and hopelessly nerdy on stage, but what the hell, it's pretty amusing--it's probably just what came naturally to him. Ben Orr had a total command on playing bass guitar, and he's in great voice here, plus he kind of serves as the "front man". Ric Ocasek's stage presence is ultra-collected--he never smiles or speaks to the audience (it's no surprise to learn that Ric hated touring)--and when matched with his confident performance, not to mention his sunglasses, it provides a certain mysteriousness which is quite fitting for a guy like Ocasek. The background vocals leave a little to be desired, but still, it's not a huge gripe. Don't come to this DVD expecting "Jurassic Park"-style sound & visuals--the sound quality, although mono, is real good sounding mono, and the picture quality is very good as well. Plus, there are no weak tracks in the entire concert. Although others have complained about the audio & picture quality, I must say I feel the lack of gloss and relative 'lo-fi'-ness to be a refreshing change of pace. If you prefer gloss and polish, then go listen to the Cars' studio albums.

In addition to the concert, you get a 40+ minute interview segment with all 5 Cars members together, and it's a major addition. Although there is a slight sense of awkwardness from time to time, Easton, Ocasek, and David Robinson are all in great spirit and display cool personalities that are impossible to dislike. Easton had long hoped for a Cars reunion and he's clearly delighted to be with his old band-mates again. And Ocasek once again comes across as mysterious yet with a solid dose of whimsy--he has a way of being amusingly evasive. Hawkes, true to form, is pretty quiet, as is Orr. It's obvious that they all knew Ben Orr was nearing the end, and indeed, he died just a few months or so after the interview took place--this probably had a lot to do with the idea of bringing the full band together one last time, but either way, I think it's really great that they did so before it was too late.

If you're a bonafide Cars fanatic, I can't imagine you'd think this is anything less than a supremely enjoyable DVD. Even medium-level fans ought to find it worthwhile.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's about time!, January 17, 2001

By 

Paul H Scates - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cars Live - Musikladen 1979 (DVD)

As a longtime fan of The Cars, I was very happy to see this DVD released. It's divided into two main segments, the 1979 German TV show performance and a very recent (this summer?) interview with all five members, sitting together and talking about the old times: interesting, and sometimes amusing, recollections of their early live dates, how they met one another, album cover art, how they never seemed to play into the whole "rock star" image and kept their feet on the ground and remained a Boston-based band. Sadly, Benjamin Orr appears very ill and weak, and therefore says the least. But he smiles quite a bit and offers some nice comments. As epected, Ric Ocasek seems to do a lot of the talking, although guitarist Elliot Easton really seems the most open, relaxed and talkative. They seem to genuinely enjoy being in each other's company again. Especially touching is Easton's claim that he was "very proud" of the work he - and the band did - and then he looks over to the other four and says "I'm very proud of these guys". For a band with an image/reputation as somewhat cold and aloof, this interview goes a long, long way to change that. The performance footage itself is great. Yes, a little rough. Not the best sound in the world, but their playing is energetic and great to watch, especially Easton, Orr and Hawkes. Ben Orr certainly had a wonderful stage presence. Dressed all in black leather with shaggy hair, sleepy eyes and all, he LOOKED like a cool rock bassist. Easton's guitar work is exceptional, especially on "My Best Friend's Girl", where he nails the solo (notes AND tone) from the recording. I recommend this DVD to anyone who was ever into The Cars...you'll really enjoy it.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here is the song list I found, August 3, 2006

By 

handle123 (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cars Live - Musikladen 1979 (DVD)

1. Good Times Roll
2. Bye Bye Love
3. Nightspots
4. I'm In Touch With Your World
5. My Best Friend's Girl
6. Candy-O
7. You're All I've Got Tonight
8. Take What You Want
9. Since I Held You
10. Don't Cha Stop
11. Just What I Needed