Product Details

• Directors: Martin G. Baker
• Format: Color, Dolby, 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: Eagle Rock Ent
• DVD Release Date: December 13, 2005
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000BYRC56
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,990 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Marvin Gaye is one of the legends of Black American music. His career stretched from Motown pop hits in the early 60’s through the classic socially aware albums of the early 70’s and the intensely personal records of his later years before his untimely death in 1984 on the eve of his 45th birthday. He won a Grammy award for "Sexual Healing" in 1982 and was inducted in to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame in 1987.

Behind The Legend is a musical biography of Marvin Gaye with a special focus on the later period of his life. It has contributions from Gaye’s immediate family and from musicians and producers who worked with him. Also included is rare family archive footage of his "exile" periods in Belgium and Hawaii as well as intimate coverage of his bouts of drug abuse and his triumphant return to Los Angeles. The program features excerpts from "What’s Going On", "Distant Lover", "Come Get To This", "Inner City Blues", "How Sweet It Is", "Sexual Healing" and "I Heard It Through The Grapevine".

As a bonus feature there are live performances of "Let’s Get It On", a "What’s Going On" medley and a "Duets" medley.

There is an insatiable appetite for Marvin Gaye material and this program will be a welcome addition to many fan’s collections.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I had no idea, March 9, 2006

By 

L. Corey (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marvin Gaye: Behind the Legend (Dol) (DVD)

The voice is amazing, but I had no idea about the man, that's why I purchased this DVD. The documentary started out cheesy and I thought to myself, 'oh, boy, a second-rate production by a friend of a friend of a friend...' But as the movie progressed, I realized that I was being invited into some very personal memories and visuals of this amazing, peace-loving fan by his very current surviving family. I learned things that have completely changed my opinion of this magnificent creature, and have dispelled the previous 'gossip' I had always believed to be true.

I rate it a 5 if you want to know about the man. The visuals, and entire production I would actually rate as a 3. So it depends on you of that you are looking for. The man, or the production. I think it's a keeper, regardless.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Presentation, January 21, 2006

By 

A customer "mistermaxxx" (usa) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Marvin Gaye: Behind the Legend (Dol) (DVD)

Huge Marvin Gaye&this Documentary captures so many elements of the Man's life&the many things that went on in his Professional Life as well as Personal Life. he died so young&there is so much more Music he had to give to the World.I enjoy the footage&also the overall Presentation of His Legacy.this is a great Journey remembering One of the Greatest Musical Genius's to touch so many souls.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Poorly made video, March 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Marvin Gaye: Behind the Legend [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I would not recommend this video to people who want to learn about Marvin Gaye. They give vague references to the events that happened throughout his life, and if I had not read his biography by David Ritz I would have not known what was going on at all. They hardly even touch on his death, and his final years. It left me wanting to hear more from his wife and children, but I guess it must be tough subject to discuss.
That said, the tape provides some rare video footage of Marvin. There is very little of Marvin on tape in the first place, so each second is precious. The live performance of Sexual Healing is something I had been eager to watch and it did not disappoint, except they kept interupting it and speaking. Also, it says on the cover of the tape "Special Bonus: Let's get it on", but at the end there was only a live performance of "Whats going on". Nothing major, but it would be nice to see him sing lets get it on.

Excuse the cliche, but this is a must have for die hard fans, but not for the casual fan.