Product Details

• Actors: Perry Farrell, Casey Niccoli
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Bros / Wea
• VHS Release Date: August 24, 1993
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630288103X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,389 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Morning sunlight dazzles upon the shining silver wings of this beautiful bird, as it pauses for a moment of reflection. A compelling combination of sleek abstract styling and rustic charm, sure to enchant the bird-fancier in everyone! Polyresin. 6" x 3 1/2" x 8 1/2" high.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Disturbing, Chilling, and It Rocks, December 15, 2004

By 

Swampsprite "Swampy" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gift [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Any movie put out by a musician is going to be geared toward their particular fan base. This movie is no different. However, I get the feeling that even if a person was not a fan, and they kept an open mind toward the message this film is putting across, that there is a chance that they could enjoy this twisted tale of love and drug addiction.

While recording an album, Perry's common-law wife (there is footage of their santeria wedding on here in "flashback"), overdoses on heroine. He comes home to find her dead, and instead of immediately calling the police, he bathes and prepares her body, and it is implied that he actually has sex with her corpse. Sick? Well, duh... yeah.

Yet, when you sit and watch this movie, and put yourself in Perry's place, even if you have no necrophiliac tendencies (the author assures all readers that she has no such tendencies!), you can sympathize with him. After all, if you came home to find the love of your life dead, wouldn't you want to pay your last respects in private, without the rush of authorities coming to take the person away from you in a terrible state? Would you want all these people touching and hauling off your loved one before you could say good-bye in your own way? Not everyone reacts to death and grief in the same manner and the assumption that people do is poignantly addressed.

Granted, Perry is no actor, but he pulls this off with an amazing sense of sincerity that really hits home.

There are some funny parts, particularly at the beginning, and the rooster that roams their house is oddly hilarious, especially when one knows that this truly was one of their pets.

Perry is an intelligent person with intelligent points to put across. This shows in his music, this movie, and countless interviews when he is not discussing alien visitations. Intelligence and talent have always attracted me to this band, and "Gift" is just another example of this.

If you are a fan, as I am, there is no question that you will enjoy this movie. If you are not, you will likely enjoy it anyway provided you are into dark and introspective stories.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic Ecstasy in ART, March 5, 2006

By 

Manon Rain (Lapeer, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gift [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Put aside the drugs and the sex, although crucial componenets, as another reviewer stated it is mainly about LOVE. Love of another, love of music, love of art, love of self. This is the best low-budget movie I have ever seen because it captures the tone of Jane's Addiction, Perry himself, and the Ritual album to perfection. When I see this video it makes me feel exactly how the album does. I enjoyed seeing the actual album artwork from Ritual and Nothing's Shocking. Perry is such a prescence that acting skill could be mediocre and still captivates the viewer. In all of its suppossed vulgarity it didn't come across as so to me where in other films it certainly would have. I think Perry is amazing and I think the love he and Casey had was so mystical in itself. I think that love although dark was quite pure and definitely inspiring. I am continually inspired by the classic girl video and it was nice to see more footage of their Santeria wedding. It is so romantic and powerful. I feel anyone, even non-Jane's fans should watch this film if they consider themselves a lover of great music in general. It encapsulates a time in rock n roll by a very pionerring band. Gift is a gift to everyone who views it whether they know it or not. Beautiful!!!!!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind-Blowing, February 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Gift [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The Gift is an intense and revealing look at the L.A. drug subculture and the profound way it shapes the city's music scene. Jane's Addiction are a band for the ages and this movie proves it. But it also shows that the life of the musician and indeed the drug addict, is by no means an easy ride. It is also a moving love story, made all the more convincing by the fact that Casey Niccoli was Perry Farrell's real life love interest at the time this film was made. Above all else however, is the truly mindblowing 'duet' of "Don't call me Nigger, Whitey" between Jane's and Body Count. I have never seen such energy in a live performance.