Customer Reviews

Depeche Mode: The Videos 86 - 98

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

That's right, a prostitute (belonging to one Martin Gore. I'll explain that in a moment).

Alright, this is the two disc collection, and not the previously released 1 disc collection. On this collection, you're still getting all the great videos included on the first release (21 videos, Stripped through Only When I Lose Myself), as well as an interview and a short film. Despite what others might say, the second disc is absolutely worth buying this for.

First of all, the second disc includes four great videos- But Not Tonight (from the Modern Girls soundtrack, so the video is interspersed with clips from the movie), Strangelove '88, One Caress (a great video, and the reason I bought this collection), and Condemnation (Paris Mix. This video, as well as One Caress, is very different from any other DM video I've seen).

The real treat on the second disc are the three mini films. Each film focuses on a different album (Violator, Songs Of Faith And Devotion, and Ultra). The band members give their thoughts and opinions of each album. I promised you a prostitute.

The second mini film, Songs Of Faith And Devotion, has an interview with Martin Gore in what I believe is his hotel room (it may be his home, but I'm not certain). During the interview, there's a knock at the door. When Martin asks "Who is it?", a trashy woman barges in. Martin looks terribly embarrassed as she says "Time is money" and he tries to shove her back out the door, telling her now isn't a good time, as he's in the middle of an interview. Martin sheepishly returns to the interviewer, who also looks embarrassed by the situation. Another reviewer here said he thinks it was a girlfriend, but I think not. The first thing out of a girlfriend's mouth ins't usually "Time is money", and people don't normally look embarrassed of their girlfriends and try to shove them out the door. In any event, it's a very amusing bit of film.

Oh, and the other mini films are good also (but just try to focus on watching them as you're still laughing from the prostitute bit).

Even if you already own the first 1 disc release, I would recommend getting this set, as the second disc contains a lot of valuable material. The only thing I wish were present on this set is the video for Halo.

I made a list of the songs in the Depeche mode - the videos. I am reviewing this in perspective of the old release of 86>98. There is not much difference within the instrinsics of the videos.

1. Intro -

2. Stripped: 4/5

3. A Question of Lust: 1/5

4. A Question of Time: 3/5

5. Strangelove: 3/5

6. Never Let Me Down Again: 5/5 - I thought this video had some awsome techniques and cinematography. "We're flying high"!!!

7. Behind the Wheel: 2/5

8. Little 15: 4/5

9. Everything Counts (live): 4/5 -very good filming and composite even for a live performance (non-musicvideo).

10. Personal Jesus: 3/5

11. Enjoy the Silence: 3/5

12. Policy of Truth: 3/5

13. World in My Eyes: 1/5

14. I Feel You: 2/5

15. Walking in my shoes: 4/5

16. Condemnation: 1/5

17. In Your Room: 2/5

18. Barrel of a Gun: 6/5 AWSOME!!! BY FAR THE BEST VIDEO ON 86>98

19. It's no Good: 3/5

20. Home: 4/5 - some might argue but i thought it was cool

21. Useless: 5/5 - Way cool!!! Majority of the video is taken from one camera angle

22. Only When I Lose Myself: 3/5

It's great to have all the later videos in one collection, but I found the audio and video quality left a lot to be desired. While I expected the videos to be grainy due to the 8 and 16mm film transfers, I felt they should at least rival their earlier "Strange" VHS releases. I actually pulled out my old VHS copy of "Strange Too" just to make sure I wasn't going crazy. I found the audio to be muffled & dull and the video to be darker and lacking definition on the DVD when doing an A/B comparison of the two. I can't believe I actually enjoyed the audio and video quality of a VHS tape better than the DVD. It's a great collection and I would recommend it, but it left me somewhat disapponted.

Although this DVD will be release on November 25th 2002, Here is what I know. It's 2 disk set. Disk one has the same videos as the original "86-98" DVD. The second disk will include 4 rare Music videos. Here is the list 1) "But Not Tonight" ( from the film "Modern Girls!!!"){Thanks for the correction} 2) Strangelove '88 (US Version) 3) One Caress (US Video) 4) Condemnation (Paris Mix).

it will also include 3 short films:
Short Films (Electronic Press Kits):
1) Violator Electronic Press Kit (E.P.K.) - February 13th, 1990
Interview with David Gahan and Martin Gore. Very good and funny. It includes outtakes from " Enjoy The Silence" and "Personal Jesus".
2) Songs Of Faith And Devotion Electronic Press Kit (E.P.K.) - January 27th, 1993 Interview with Martin, Andrew Fletcher, Alan Wilder, and David. Very interesting.
3) Ultra Electronic Press Kit (E.P.K.) - February 26th, 1997.
Very Good. Interview with David, Andrew, and Martin.

All I can tell you is "GET IT!!!"

There are four videos missing from this collection. Pimpf, Never Let Me Down Again(extended version), Halo, and Clean. The songs are from the Music for the Masses and VIOLATOR era. Those are great songs! You have have to buy the Strange and Strange TOO VHS's to watch them. I don't know where you can get the extended of NLMDA, but I seen it before. Dave Gahans shoes fall off his feet and start walking on its own (pretty cool video). Are they going to release a third DM - 86>98++ dvd and include those videos? I don't want to buy this dvd a third time...

I'm a little bit disappointed, they REALLY should've added them on there, but the rest of the dvd is good.

If you are a true DM fan, you have got to get this DVD. Other reviewers criticized this DVD for having limitations as though George Lucas produced this in Dolby 5.1. MTV videos from 15 years ago are not digitally mastered in Dolby 5.1, and neither is this DVD nor is it even possible. THis is an EXCELLENT compilation of 20 videos that were once played on MTV when MTV was worth watching! Buy it, you'll be glad you did!

"The Videos 86>98" documents Depeche Mode's visual history from 1986-1998. It has promotional videos for each single released during this era, and it also boasts a documentary featuring interviews with Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, Alan Wilder (who was with the Mode from 1982-95), and Dave Gahan, along with producer Flood, manager/producer Daniel Miller, and photographer Anton Corbijn. He's not only the band's photographer, but he also manages the band's entire visual output. In addition to directing 18 of their videos, he's also done much of their album artwork, as well as stage design for the band's tour for the "Songs of Faith and Devotion" LP. Having said all that, this DVD is as much Corbijn's as it is Depeche Mode's. Anton's dark, grainy imagery nicely compliments the mood of Depeche Mode's synth-based music, from the Western-themed "Personal Jesus," to "A Question of Time," to "Walking in My Shoes," to "In Your Room." But that doesn't mean Corbijn dominates the entire DVD. A few promotional clips directed by outsiders also stand out; the best of which is "Only When I Lose Myself," helmed by Brian Griffin. This double DVD set comes with another disc of goodies that weren't included in the now-obsolete single-DVD version of "The Videos 86>98." Four promotional clips are also included: "But Not Tonight" (a dated, but fun video that has scenes from the 1980's film "Modern Girls"), "One Caress," another version of "Condemnation," and an alternative version of "Strangelove." In addition, we have three documentaries promoting "Violator," "Songs of Faith and Devotion" and "Ultra." The first two are filmed by Corbijn, and they're both quite interesting, especially the one for "Devotion," in which we watch a goateed, rail-thin Gahan give his $.02 on the band and the making of the album. Fletcher, Wilder, and Gore also contribute their thoughts, but it's songwriter Gore who provides the most insight and depth. So, if you have the single-disc DVD, should you make the upgrade and get this double disc version? That depends on how much you like the Mode. Casual fans should probably stick with the single-disc DVD, but diehards like myself will enjoy the three documentaries on the second disc, so it's worth revisiting this very fine DVD of one of my favorite groups around.

I was so happy when the album came out, and even more excited to find the film. It is a great collection of 15 years of work from very influental artists. I have been a very dedicated van as long as I can remember. I really liked the format. mixing interviews with the videos. It is not always easy to find Depeche Mode videos, or interviews. The grainy texture mentioned by another reviewer I think is intentional, and i did not find anything wrong with the sound quality. The videos are creative and artistic. Intresting to watch even if you don't care for the music, but being Depeche Mode the music is still the best part. Overall I thought it was great, and would encourage all to check it out.

Overall, this is a wonderful retrospective of *nearly* every Depeche video ever made... it does contain EVERY significant video. My only complaint... the obscure video for the song One Caress is missing.

I have seen this title many times, and as a devoted Depeche Mode fan, I "just can't get enough"! ...It was definitely nice to see all of the videos again ("Strangelove" has always been my favorite), but the short films both before and after are really wonderful. To hear the band members' comment on their perception of what Depeche Mode is, where they've been, and where they want to go...that alone should make any fan (of Depeche Mode, or just the whole genre of electronic music) run right out for this one! An amazing compilation...simply the best from the best.