Customer Reviews

John Denver - A Portrait [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are a true John Denver fan, This is the video you want to have in your collection. John goes on in the video to tell about his life and how many of his songs were developed from being in nature. From the Colorodo mountains he loved to the last Frontier of Alaska, you travel with John and his kids and friends to discover what this man really believed in.

John Denver has always been honest and sincere and it comes through in this video. It is wonderful to listen to how the songs were created. He has always been a wonderful story teller. I wish he was here to tell us more. "Though the singer is silent there still is the truth of the song"

I was surprized by the documentary style presentation of this video, but really like most of the songs and their accompanying video. I appreciated the lyrics much more after hearing of how they came about, especially Rocky Mountain High, Calypso, and the "uncle named Matthew". The background, music and video of "Don't Close Your Eyes Tonight" is pretty sensual for a country boy. A couple of the more policitally based songs I'd never heard before, but they were tolerable. Also, seeing John as a young newcomer with that wonderfully clear voice was great! I'd forgotten how "rocky-mountain high" his vocal range really is. Denver fans will enjoy this one - and it will tug at your heartstrings to see him bearded, surrounded by his favorite meadows and mountains, and talking directly to you as if over a cup of Starbucks. We'll miss him.

This is John's self-portrait. It's what he would tell you about himself if you were a close friend who asked, "Of all the work you have done, what did you enjoy the most and what are you proudest of? And please tell me the stories behind how it all came about." Wonderful! There are videos on this tape that I have never seen before. It's a touching and joyful look into the heart of this brilliant, amazing man. END

Although I'm a fan of John Denver, I'm not overly fond of this item--it's just not that interesting. However, my chief complaint is picture quality. The excerpts of John's TV specials and music videos are okay, but the footage filmed for this project stinks. There's very little contrast, sharpness or detail, and the color looks like that of a badly-adjusted color TV: smeary, blotchy, and mostly just red-orange--especially flesh tones. There's also much video noise and some artifacts (dust and dirt). Quite frankly, the VHS edition looks the same, and I would bet money the manufacturer used the master for the videotape and simply transfered it to DVD--no adjustments, no going back to the negative do redo it (in fact, the transfer print looks like it is several generations removed from the negative). Home video has NEVER looked this bad! I'll never understand how Mr. Denver could have remotely approved this video, and it's a pitiful legacy for such a talented performer and songwriter.

As always, its a delight seeing John up and about, knowing he is gone, but this is not my favorite VHS. It is okay tho. Sorta like a personal visit with him at one place he enjoys being at. Not long enough tho. Wish they had a video with nothing but him talking and enjoying himself, like a home movie type of thing. Anyhow I am glad I have it now and will keep it as I will all the others I have purchased of him too. He surely was some fella, and very few like him come into our lives like he did. So glad his grandma gave him a guitar. If he didn't become a singer, how much we would all have lost out on.

All I can say,I am the biggest J.D. fan there is.This is the only concert I had of him while my mother was alive.We watched this show until we knew it word for word.But we never got tired of it.My mother was in a wreck with my husband and his mom.My mother came home with me,Swearing she was fine and I asked her did she want to watch J.D.?She said no not now,The next morning I found her gone to be with Father And J.D.The cause 8 broken ribs.This dvd still helps me deal with the pain.And if you like good clean shows and songs that are feel Good .This is IT!

i've admired john denver for years.i have liked every thing that he has done. his music,his careingfor people and working to save the environment.i dont think most people know how much he has really done. he dont get the credit that he really deserves. joh is my favorie singer. i love his videos on nature.

We need more Videos and books on John Denver. His music always lifted the spirits.

You have to like John Denver to enjoy this bit of self serving tripe. I'm not a JD fan, and never have been, but I was coerced into watching this bit of JD and found that, unless you are a fan, you're not going to enjoy this. He does "compose" one new song, on camera, but that would have best been left uncomposed. He hasn't had any new music in many years and he did his best work when he was popular about 25 years ago. He does even get to the point of saying "far out" in this documentary (and he was serious when he said it - old habits die hard). Unless you are a big fan of JD, find another tape or DVD to buy. Don't waste your time on this one.