Customer Reviews

Freddie Mercury: Lover of Life, Singer of Songs

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A wonderful collection of documentaries, music videos and interviews from a Queen among Queens, Freddie Mercury! For those people who did not buy BIG Freddie Mercury SOLO Collection that included 2 similar DVDs, this set offers the chance to view the "Untold Story" Documentary with Freddie's family and close friends discussing the music, life and loves of this great rock god!

Here's the breakdown of what's included:

Disc One
* Freddie Mercury - The Untold Story [Documentary]
* The Making Of - The Untold Story

Disc Two - Singer Of Songs
The Solo Videos
* Barcelona
* The Great Pretender
* I Was Born To Love You
* Time
* How Can I Go On
* Made In Heaven
* Living On My Own
* The Golden Boy
*Bonus Videos
* Barcelona [Live Version]
* The Great Pretender [Extended Version]
* In My Defence [Re-Edit 2000]
Special Features
* Audio Commentary On The Documentary By Director
* 'Making Of The Documentary' Featurette With Extended Interviews And Deleted Scenes (25 Minutes)
* Audio Commentary By Freddie Mercury On The Music Videos: Taken From Archive Audio Interviews, - Talking In Detail About * The Specific Songs And Recording As A Solo Artist
* Each Music Video Is Accompanied By A Detailed Explanation By The Video's Director
* 'A View Forever' Documentary Describing The Creation And Unveiling Of The Freddie Statue In Montreux
* Interactive Photo Gallery

This is truly a tribute to a legend who left us too too soon! Cheers Freddie! We miss you!

It is well known that Freddie Mercury was an incredible talent, but if one isn't listening closely, it will be easy to miss the fact that he was, quite simply, our greatest vocalist (not just rock, but also opera, ballads, pop songs, gospel-style, etc.). In addition to being an indescribable singer, he could play the piano and write dazzling songs, in addition to making great records. His hauntingly beautiful voice and music shot him to the top of the music world, with riches, fame, and excess. He was also a homosexual, with an unstoppable lust for life and fun--a lot of fun. However, the biggest mistake that can be made is judging the man's work based upon his personal lifestyle. DO NOT DO THIS! It's wholly regrettable. Hearing the stories in this documentary, especially those from Mary Austin and Freddie's family, it is easy to see how sad the entire thing really was. He had it made, and yet he could not control his appetite for excess. But if anyone picks up the 'Live at Wembley Stadium' DVD or any Queen DVD release, they will also see that Mercury was also our greatest performer, almost a teacher of entertainment when it comes down to it. Though he died of AIDS at the somewhat young age of 44, he left a body of work behind him that can floor any artist. I love the music of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Cream, the Band, Elvis Costello, Billy Joe Shaver, Paul Simon, and plenty of old time rock and roll, so you can see that I have varied tastes, but the music of Queen is something else entirely--maybe better than anything. Something about his voice... As many poor lifestyle decisions as he made, and as early as he was taken from us, Freddie Mercury proved that it was possible to retain individuality in a society that was not quite prepared to accept who he really was, or what he really desired. But PLEASE, don't let this put you off. His music will never die, don't kid yourself. There's more people who love Queen than people who hate them, and no one can deny the uniqueness in their music. This documentary chronicles Mercury's life from conception to his diseased end, which was one of the saddest days in music history. But the importance of what he did remains unvarnished. Watch this documentary if you want to know more about the man, but be forewarned: the story is not entirely pleasant, especially if you don't want to relive the moments leading up to his untimely death.

I've read several books about Freddie and have been disappointed with the high drama, embellishments and straight out fabrications that the writers produce.

This DVD is a surprisingly impressive biography, from Freddie's birth to the end of his life. I was thoroughly relieved to find material that is professional and truthful.

"Lover of Life, Singer of Songs (2006) DVD" is fresh, professional, in color, great film making, with the addition of photos, concert footage, some videos (some behind the scenes), some previous FM interviews and it even shows off Freddie's outstanding drawing ability before Queen. I was blown away by the amount of material, art and Freddie's loved ones and close colleagues actually participating in this film.

The info seems quite accurate too, since the whole Freddie gang (FM Mother, Sister, Mary, Brian, Roger, Phoebe, Freddie's Jim, class mates from Zanzibar and India, college mates, previous band mates, close friends, colleagues and others) give there thoughts and views.

The comments and interviews are not in passing, forcing a microphone in relatives and friends faces. All participants sat for this particular extensive documentary and were candid. Close friends, family and colleagues only give comments throughout the film on areas of Freddie's life they experienced with him. No speculations or assumptions here.

The film takes the viewer to Zanzibar and India, talks with Freddie's family and classmates. The cinematography is great, the colors, music and people in various areas of the world are authentic. Photo's of Freddie as an infant and growing up are included.
This part of the film also depicts Freddie as a boy played by a young actor and is dramatized (only about 15 minutes), but concludes as Freddie's life takes him to Great Britain.

In GB school mates, family members, band mates, etc., comment on there interactions with Freddie during art school, about fashion, lifestyle, performing in bands, etc.
Mary in particular provides very candid comments on her relationship with Freddie and her suspicions that he was having second thoughts and why.

Later the documentary talks with friends, family members and colleagues about how Freddie told them he was ill, there interactions with him during those years and his strength in dealing with terminal illness.

All in all this is a well rounded piece of work; no prior speculated issues are avoided and instead of being sad and melancholy it's a celebration of Freddie's life.
The second DVD in this set are of Freddie's solo music videos.
Great extended versions of a few with Freddie doing what he loved, performing.
A must have for any Freddie fan.

Freddie Mercury is one of the best musicians of our time, and this DVD set definately covers every end of the man. It was very interesting, and there were a lot of important people involved such as Brian May, Mary Austin (long term girlfriend), Montserrat Caballe, Freddie's mother and sister, his producer, and even his last lover before he passed.

The documentary covers everything from his childhood in Zanzibar and India, to his final moments. The problem for me was it was overdramatized at points that didn't need it. The entire first half hour covers his childhood, where they show where he had pictures taken of him, and they have a child actor playing him as a young boy. Although I'm glad they put so much effort into it, I just found myself hoping the whole thing wouldn't be like that (which, thankfully) it was not).

The videos on disc 2 are reason enough to buy this DVD set. Very rare footage, including three music videos from the Barcelona album. Also a few live performances are featured here.

I highly recommend this to any fan of Freddie Mercury, and I'm very glad I bought it myself.

A wonderful collection of documentaries, music videos and interviews from a Queen among Queens, Freddie Mercury! For those people who did not buy BIG Freddie Mercury SOLO Collection that included 2 similar DVDs, this set offers the chance to view the "Untold Story" Documentary with Freddie's family and close friends discussing the music, life and loves of this great rock god!

Here's the breakdown of what's included:

Disc One
* Freddie Mercury - The Untold Story [Documentary]
* The Making Of - The Untold Story

Disc Two - Singer Of Songs
The Solo Videos
* Barcelona
* The Great Pretender
* I Was Born To Love You
* Time
* How Can I Go On
* Made In Heaven
* Living On My Own
* The Golden Boy
*Bonus Videos
* Barcelona [Live Version]
* The Great Pretender [Extended Version]
* In My Defence [Re-Edit 2000]
Special Features
* Audio Commentary On The Documentary By Director
* 'Making Of The Documentary' Featurette With Extended Interviews And Deleted Scenes (25 Minutes)
* Audio Commentary By Freddie Mercury On The Music Videos: Taken From Archive Audio Interviews, - Talking In Detail About * The Specific Songs And Recording As A Solo Artist
* Each Music Video Is Accompanied By A Detailed Explanation By The Video's Director
* 'A View Forever' Documentary Describing The Creation And Unveiling Of The Freddie Statue In Montreux
* Interactive Photo Gallery

This is truly a tribute to a legend who left us too too soon! Cheers Freddie! We miss you!

This is an excellent documentary about the life of one of the 20th century's most dynamic personalities.The footage and interviews are incredible. Well Done! Bravo!

Get this while it is still available! It is everything other reviewers said, and more. I even liked the docu-drama treatment of Freddie's early life, chlld actors and all. The commentary contributions by friends, family, and professional associates are great. The music videos are wonderful!

How does any documentary adequately cover the life of a personality as big and bold as Freddie Mercury in two hours? Not an easy task, but the Torpedo Twins do a nice job in "Freddie Mercury: The Untold Story", the feature length documentary included with this set. Covering the span of Mercury's too-short 45 years, the documentary includes a cavalcade of interviews, featuring Mercury's mother and sister, his Queen bandmates Brian May and Roger Taylor, and an array of friends, as well as archival interviews with the man himself, live performance footage, and re-enactments of Freddie's boyhood years on the isle of Zanzibar and at boarding school in India. Freddie the talent was and remains world reknowned; Freddie the man was parts outrageous extrovert and retiring introvert, and this documentary gives you about as close a glimpse of the whole man as you will ever get. Recommended. Also worth your time is the collection of solo music videos from Freddie's sundry projects outside of Queen, all highlighting Freddie's unique style and unfailing showmanship.

This movie is a really great way to see how Farrokh Bulsara became Mr. Bad Guy himself Freddie Mercury. It really tells the story of his life from birth to death, with interviews from the very people he loved. With interviews of Mary Austin, his producers, his mother, his sister, and more, you really learn a lot about the greatest preformer the music industry has ever known. If you are a Queen fan, this is one you need for the collection.

I love Freddie. Best singer, song writer and showman ever. You can see the love in Mary's eyes for him in every picture. Nice to see an accurate account of his life from the people closest to him. Had tears in my eyes at the end.