Product Details

• Actors: James Brown
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Shout Factory
• DVD Release Date: January 27, 2009
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001N5BDKW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,647 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

LIVE AT THE BOSTON GARDEN:APRIL 5 196 - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, February 20, 2009

By 

Volunteer of America (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: James Brown: Live at the Boston Garden - April 5, 1968 (DVD)

This has got to be one of the greatest performances ever available on DVD. The incredible originality and talent of James Brown and his players are on full display in this 1968 concert. You can read elsewhere about the social setting and great contribution made by these musicians (and dancers); as well, rest assured, this is one of the greatest live performances you'll ever experience. James Brown is in his prime; totally confident, totally in sync, like his successor Prince an extraordinary singer, dancer, showman; his band is fully up to his standard. What a great DVD, and what a great price! Great crowd too.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best, December 24, 2010

By 

Soul Survivor - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: James Brown: Live at the Boston Garden - April 5, 1968 (DVD)

My apologies to Tina Turner for stealing her song title, but there are no better words to describe James Brown in concert, and this video captures him at the very pinnacle of his incomparable talent. Just as James Brown's life had its glaring imperfections, this film, produced as it was on a public television station during an incendiary moment in American history, has some faults. The camera angles are often distracting, missing some of Brown's amazing dance moves, and the sound quality is lacking in spots. HOWEVER....the bottom line is this film, shot in black and white, captures both the unmistakable magnetic, almost hypnotic effect James Brown had on his audiences, and the aura of sheer energy and passion that succeeds in making you completely overlook any flaws. And for two hours, the film succeeds in showing James Brown somehow making the audience in Boston that night forget their angst and anger over the murder of Martin Luther King just the day before.

Throughout my nearly sixty years on Earth, I have had the good fortune of seeing literally hundreds of musical artists live, from Artur Rubenstein to Elvis Presley; Miles Davis to Bruce Springsteen, Tina to the Temptations. Most were extremely enjoyable if not memorable, but all of them take a back seat to the indelible performance I saw from James Brown on a cold winter night in February, 1969 at the Milwaukee Auditorium. Before now, the only DVD I had of James Brown live was a poor imitation shot at Montreaux in 1981 when he was clearly past his prime. When I serendipitously happened to see the Boston Concert available on Amazon, one I never knew even existed, I couldn't pull out my Visa fast enough, and was like a little kid again when the package arrived.

After viewing the video the first time, I had to replay it again. And again. And yet again. I couldn't believe what I was seeing through the tears in my eyes. The feelings I experienced brought me back to that night in Milwaukee forty-one years ago as though it were yesterday. The magic of a performer only a few ever attain. Sinatra had it. Springsteen has it. But in his own inimitable fashion, James Brown performing live inspires like no other, and this video, despite its sixties television look, makes you forget your reality for a while, transporting you to a time and place as only the Godfather of Soul could. If you truly appreciate the greatness of rhythm and blues and soul music, this is the best twelve dollar investment you'll ever make.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Even better as an historic document than as a concert film, July 3, 2011

By 

K. Gordon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: James Brown: Live at the Boston Garden - April 5, 1968 (DVD)

While this is far from the best filmed James Brown concert technically and arguably even in terms of performance
but this film, off a rough B+W live broadcast for television has a good share of amazing moments.

It took place the day after the assassination of Martin Luther King, and cities across the US were in flames.
In an attempt to keep Boston calm, the mayor has Brown's concert broadcast live, and then re-run through the night.
It worked.

As for the concert, Brown is always a terrific performer, and especially the more bluesy numbers are great and feel heartfelt.

But perhaps more fascinating is the danger in the air, which almost comes to explosion when fans start climbing on the stage.
A very interesting historical document, and showcase of a performer going above and beyond.