Product Details

• Actors: Pink Floyd
• Directors: Matthew Longfellow
• Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Eagle Rock Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: August 26, 2003
• Run Time: 49 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (155 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000AOV85
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,518 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Classic Albums: The Making of The Dark Side of the Moon" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The most phenomenal recording in rock & roll history is thoroughly examined in Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon. The Floyd's 1973 masterpiece remained on bestseller charts for nearly 14 years, and its enduring importance is honored here by all four members of Pink Floyd and key personnel (engineer Alan Parsons, mixing supervisor Chris Thomas, sleeve designer Storm Thorgerson, and others) who played essential roles in the landmark album's creation. Produced for the Classic Albums series that originally aired on VH-1, this thorough and thought-provoking study highlights a track-by-track dissection of the LP's master tapes (including the spoken-word passages that bookend the album), superbly interlaced with archival footage, early demo tapes, concert animations, and latter-day acoustic performances by David Gilmour, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright to demonstrate each track's contribution to the final mix--a sonic exploration that extends to the illuminating bonus features. Informative interviews abound (including Rolling Stone senior editor David Fricke), and much-deserved credit is given to saxophonist Dick Parry, solo vocalist Clare Torry, and former Capitol Records chairman Bhaskar Menon, who fostered the album's U.S. commercial success. For Floyd fans, musicians, and studio technicians alike, this is a must-have addition to any DVD library. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" Classic Album is the creative story behind the masterpiece: "Dark Side Of The Moon". "Dark Side Of The Moon" transformed Pink Floyd from art house favorites to global, stadium superstars. Prior to 1973, Pink Floyd maintained a relentless gigging schedule and by the time they came to record "Dark Side Of The Moon" had already created many of the basic tracks. "Dark Side Of The Moon" would be the first Pink Floyd (post Syd Barrett) album where Roger Waters would supply all the lyrics around a concept: The Circle of Life. With the timeless qualities of its production and musicality, allied to the hypnotic evocation of its central themes - alienation, paranoia, madness, war and death, "Dark Side Of The Moon" would become the album that would dominate the 70's and 80's (with a record number of 741 consecutive weeks in the Billboard 200). This program takes an in depth look at the making of the 1973 album. All four members of the band Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright are featured in exclusive interviews. Roger, David and Richard play songs and demonstrate themes from the album. Alan Parsons (the original engineer) takes you through the multi track tapes giving a unique insight into the musical fabric of the record and the program is illustrated throughout with archive footage. "Dark Side Of The Moon" with its combination of great songs, inventive effects and one of the best known sleeves ever, tapped into the world's collective subconscious and became a landmark in Rock history and a truly Classic Album. Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" Classic Album is the creative story behind the masterpiece: "Dark Side Of ThThanks for all your help.e Moon". "Dark Side Of The Moon" transformed Pink Floyd from art house

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 81 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathe in the DVD!!! August 4, 2004

By K. Kaczmarek

Format:DVD

If you are a fan of Dark Side of the Moon (DSotM) then you will love this disc. The feature runs as long as the actual album and gives insight into the development of each song. It's amazing to see the Floyd seperately playing bit pieces of each song. What is amazing on this DVD is Alan Parsons and his explanations and demonstrations of all the details we have grown to love on this disk. The bonus material rocks just as hard. Over 10 bonus tracks including additional interviews, insight and music. Pink Floyd is the best!!!!

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A touching exploration of a classic album September 25, 2003

By FloydWaters

Format:DVD

For the most part I was happy with this DVD, and in actuality I would give it a 4.5, but even with the slightly flawed parts, there were some that were simply so stunning that I can't help but give a 5.

The best parts belong mainly to Richard Wright, who offered a very interesting look at the music itself, and his composition process. Furthermore, he gave wonderful demonstrations of parts of "Breathe", "The Great Gig in the Sky", and "Us and Them". Even though some may notice that he can have a slightly tentative interview style at times, this does not diminish in any way what he is saying--in fact, he is actually the most engaging narrator of the four. His piano demos, especially the one for "Us and Them" are moving, to say the least (I do wish he'd sung, because he really does have a beautiful voice, but that's all right--his playing was truly graceful). One very nice thing about the way the demos are done in this DVD is that they are often blended in and out of the original recordings. Quite frankly it amazes me that Richard Wright and David Gilmour are able to play demonstrations that have an original twist to them--and yet they can be successfully be blended to the originals.

I will admit that there were a few sections that grated on my nerves, and the culprit was usually Roger Waters. Once in MOJO Magazine, Nick Mason said that the bassist made the most "dreadful demos", and his attempt at "Money" was a strain to listen to, to say the least...I probably will return to that bit as infrequently as possible! On my first listening I also found that Mr. Waters went on a bit much, and I didn't really have the patience to want to listen to it, as I thought the musical aspects were by far the more unique and interesting feature of this DVD. The thematic aspects have been discussed numerous times in interviews.

Finally, I'd like to add that some customers' failure to read the description of the DVD and understand in advance what one is purchasing is no excuse for a poor rating. Such a rating says nothing about the quality of the DVD as what it is intended to be--a documentary, not a live concert or anything else. Please, before you buy this, KNOW what you are purchasing! But if you are interested in a documentary about The Dark Side of the Moon, I think you will be very satisfied.

54 of 60 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dark Side of Human Nature and the Making of a Classic... January 11, 2005

By J. Brittman VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

After watching this documentary on the making of the Dark Side of the Moon, one question kept popping into my mind: Why can't these two legendary musicians (Waters & Gilmour) put aside their differences and reconcile? It has been over 20 years since the bitter split of Pink Floyd, yet we, the fans are left with little to no hope of ever seeing this band reform and play their classic music just one last time. Alas, I digress, the DVD itself is a fascinating look into the making of the Dark Side of the Moon album, track by track. All four members are featured in extended interviews giving their memories of making what would become one of (if not THE) greatest rock albums ever recorded. Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright look like old men, wait a minute, they ARE old men; nevertheless it is shocking to see the then and now pictures of the band. Roger Waters has some very lucid memories concerning the meaning of his lyrics for Time, Brain Damage and Money. David Gilmour not only speaks of the recording and mixing of the album, but he also plugs in and plays some classic Dark Side tunes. Richard Wright, as well, plays some of The Great Gig in the Sky and Us and Them while opining about how he discovered the chord progressions that would become history. Nick Mason is scattered throughout the film but certainly states that this was the best that the band had ever gotten along. Was this the creative apex of Pink Floyd? It certainly was the most democratically made Pink Floyd album with all four members getting their ideas through, as opposed to the later years (The Wall and The Final Cut) where Waters basically ran the show. Some other points of interest include an extended interview with Alan Parsons who was the session engineer and mixed the album almost perfectly. Throughout the film, Waters speaks of the duality of man and of empathy and how the world is sorely lacking it today. Mr. Waters, why can't you show some empathy for your former band mates and legions of fans around the world and put the Floyd to bed properly? Highly Recommended to any classic rock fan, but an absolute must for Pink Floyd diehards.