Product Details

• Actors: Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne
• Directors: Rhino
• Format: Widescreen, DTS Surround Sound, Surround Sound, Digital Sound
• Language: Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Unknown)
• Subtitles: Italian
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Rhino Records
• DVD Release Date: March 22, 2011
• Run Time: 286 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (438 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B004GF244K
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,200 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #3 in Movies & TV > Blu-ray > Performing Arts
  • #21 in Movies & TV > Blu-ray > Special Interests
  • #35 in Movies & TV > Blu-ray > Music Videos & Concerts

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Exceptionally moving but not the least bit sentimental, Concert for George is a splendid tribute to the late George Harrison, whose contributions to the Beatles were so often hidden in the long shadows of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. A year to the day after Harrison's November 29, 2001 death, Eric Clapton assembled some musicians--people who had played with Harrison and known him intimately, including McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Tom Petty--to perform his music at London's Royal Albert Hall. They take on not just the predictable ("My Sweet Lord" and "Something," beautifully sung by Billy Preston and Sir Paul, respectively), but also lesser-known fare like "Old Brown Shoe" and "Beware of Darkness," all to superbly empathetic effect. But the tune most likely to make you misty-eyed is "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," which brings together three of the five musicians who played on the original recording: Ringo on drums, Clapton replicating his own classic solo, and McCartney playing piano and harmonizing with Clapton's lead vocal. Concert for George enjoyed a brief theatrical release, but even those who caught it on the big screen will delight in this two-disc DVD edition. Disc 1 features the complete concert (sans interview and rehearsal footage, but with a few additional songs and in the original running order), while disc 2 contains the theatrical version and some additional backstage and photo material. All in all, a beautiful piece of work. Wish you were here, George--but man, what a way to be missed. --Sam Graham

Product Description

Blu-Ray pressing. Filmed on November 29, 2002 before a sold-out audience at Royal Albert Hall the Concert For George is a beautifully filmed, joyous celebration of some of the most significant music of the 20th century. Includes breathtaking performances of some of George's songs from rock's most influential artists and pop culture icons including Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Monty Python with Tom Hanks, and Ravi and Anoushka Shankar.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

138 of 144 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars George! March 20, 2004

By tonyfromky

Format:DVD

The concert event had the chance to be sappy and morose. Thank God, it isn't. Instead, it's a lot of George's friends covering his songs, having fun doing it, and otherwise doing what they've always been doing.

Summary: Great guests, superior musicianship. Buy This DVD. Now.

The show opens with a few words from Clapton, who introduces Ravi Shankar and his daughter. They play a fair amount of Indian music. It's pretty good, I have to admit, though not my cup of tea. One word - Ravi Shankar's daughter is quite the sitar player... She plays a piece and violates at least 2 rules of physics. Amazing.

Then the Western band forms up. They play a number of songs, with luminaries being introduces and added to the band over the course of the evening.

Highlights, in no particular order:
1) Ringo :-) During "Honey Don't" Look for Albert Lee. His solo is blistering though short.
2a) Clapton on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
2b) Clapton having the class to not play all the solos thereby making it the "Eric Clapton Show." Instead most of the real guitar work is being done by someone I don't know. I think it's Clapton's long-time guitarist. My son and I call him "THE Guy".
2c) Clapton in general
3) Watch Tom Petty's guitar player get OWNED by George on "Taxman". Tom does this song kinda weird, it's probably the weakest track.
4) Sam Brown. What a voice!
5) Waa Waa. Amazing.
6) Something by Paul, via uke.
7) Ravi's daughter and her sitar. Your eyebrows will fly up!
8) Dhani has George's spooky eyebrow thing going on.
9) Jeff Lynne is there, and takes an active part doing what he does best. Bob Dylan is notably absent.

Every track is worthwhile and many are superb. And while a lot of similar productions are muddy and horrid, this isn't. Eric is running the show, and keeps it moving and clean.

The only dings I give this production are
1) The "behind the scenes" footage is too sparse. I know there had to me more...
2) The band isn't introduced well enough. I expected a close up of every performer, with a hello, and a name. See 2b) above.

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Overwhelming Experience October 14, 2003

By David S. Jenkins VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Worlds beyond the usual concert film, this is a deeply emotional experience for those lucky enough to have had George's music woven into their lives. A perfect balance of joy, laughter and loss, a delicate and perfect balance of rock, pop, blues, comedy, classical Eastern raga and ukelele. Contrary to most tribute and hall of fame concerts finding dozens of dinosaurs falling all over each other in sloppy camaraderie and faulty beats, this assembly under Eric Clapton's direction give specific, tight, heartfelt and soaring performances of exceptional grandeur... so obviously trying to do their best for George that it tears your heart out at points. Clapton's work is both grief stricken and exhilarating, McCartney's sadness renders him unusually subdued and appealing, Anoushka Shankar's performance is absolutely transcendant, and Sam Brown's rockin' rendition of "Horse to Water" is a killer, a real treat. This film is, to put it simply, an exquisite and overwhelming experience. Thank you George. And George, just so you'll know... there wasn't a dry eye in the theater...

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just saw the theatrical release October 3, 2003

By Nick J. Trombetta

Format:DVD

Wow!!!! I don't know how anyone can sit through this with a dry eye!! Stunning, heartfelt performances by George's buddies. Jeff Lynne's sound mix was awesome!! The interviews with Eric, Tom Petty and others really shed light on the love for the man we all miss. George created the original benefit concert and it is only fitting that everyone came together on the anniversary of his death to pay tribute. Now I will wait patiently until the DVD release in November.

Long live George!