Customer Reviews

New Order: Item

5 star:		(14)
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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

A preliminary thought. People should not write reviews unless they have actually seen the DVD. Some of the reviews on this page have factual errors. Fact: the video for WFTSC _is_ included (and it's a missed opportunity, IMHO). Fact: There are _no_ original videos of "Temptation" and "Ceremony" in addition to the new ones. Fact: The documentary is NOT a part of this DVD; it is a part of the two-DVD set called "ITEM." Fact: The documentary is 140 minutes, not 70. It is the complete, laser disc-only version of the documentary that was sliced down to 60 minutes for US release on VHS way back when.

Now to the review. The music video DVD contains impeccable transfers of nearly all of New Order's videos, with audio remastered to Dolby 5.1. As with nearly every product New Order has ever released, the quality is state-of-the-art. The visual transfers are clean, and the sound is stunning. This is particularly true of the later videos.

Many of the videos are classic mini-works of pop art. Jonathan Demme's video of "The Perfect Kiss" has never looked or sounded better. Ditto for "Blue Monday," "True Faith," and "Regret." Pick almost any video--and there are a ton of them here--and you'll get the sense that the director salivated at the chance to do his/her best work with this pop cultural icon.

I would not, however, buy this DVD standalone. You should purchase the boxed set, titled "Item," which also includes the extended documentary. The main difference between the extended documentary (included in the "Item" set) and the original, shorter VHS released in the US is the longer play given each music video. That's somewhat redundant, given better prints of the videos on the other DVD in the set. On the other hand, there are some true gems that you don't often see. In particular, there are Republic-era live performances of "Temptation" and "Everyone Everywhere" at the Montreaux Jazz Festival, a gig arranged by Quincy Jones.

For those who have never seen this documentary, there are good and bad points to it. One good thing is that it puts the lie to Tony Wilson's self-serving, perniciously misleading "legend" of propelling so much of New Order's success. That rubbish was, unfortunately, publicized around the world by the otherwise-spectacular film "24 Hour Party People." Setting the record straight, several segments in the documentary--filmed when the wounds were still raw--convey a sense of the smoldering, justifiable hostility some band members had toward Wilson, who seemed to exploit the band more than anything else. The main negative is the narration. Thankfully, it's scarce. But it seems like it was written by the kind of "spotty student" Bernard identifies as a major segment of New Order's fan base.

For any real fan, this DVD set is _serious_ value for money, and it is too long overdue. It's so friggin' good that I'm tempted to buy a second copy to keep as a sealed backup, because I'll never want to be without this stuff. A truly glorious collection.

I have just received this outstanding two-disc DVD set today, and it is indeed the New Order "Item" product and not "A Collection" as incorrectly listed here on Amazon's product page.

This two-disc "Item" DVD set includes both "A Collection" and "New Order Story."

To reiterate, I ordered ASIN/Amazon product number B000ANVNHQ as listed on this page and received the two-disc DVD set titled "Item."

Below are the contents of each DVD.

Disc 1, "A Collection" contains the following videos:

Confusion
The Perfect Kiss
Shellshock
State Of The Nation
Bizarre Love Triangle
True Faith
Touched By The Hand Of God
Blue Monday '88
Run
World In Motion
Regret
Ruined In A Day
World
Spooky
1963
Crystal
60 Miles An Hour
Here To Stay
Krafty
Jetstream
Waiting For The Siren's Call
Round & Round - USA/Patty
Regret - Baywatch
Crystal - Gina Birch Version
Ceremony
Temptation


Disc 2 contains the documentary "New Order Story."


This is a must-own set for New Order fans.

Repeat: this product is "Item" and not "A Collection."

Digitally remastered, 5.1 Dolby surround, twenty-two videos. New Order has produced some of the most visually stunning videos in the past two decades, and while it's certainly taken long enough to compile them, it's well worth the wait. At two discs, we've not only the near-complete videography, but also the "New Order Story" (the entirety of disc two) clocking in at about seventy minutes, which is twice the length of the original VHS release.
After teasing us with the bonus DVD included with the redundant "International," we get the whole shebang.
Videos include:
Blue Monday
Confusion
The Perfect Kiss
Shellshock
State of The Nation
Bizarre Love Triangle
True Faith
Touched By The Hand Of God
Fine Time
Round & Round
Run
World In Motion
Regret
Ruined In A Day
World
Spooky
1963
Crystal
60 MAH (or MPH, whichever you prefer)
Here To Stay
Krafty
Jetstream
Included are two new bonus videos of both "Ceremony" and "Temptation" as well as their original versions.

A must-have for any New Order fan, and it'll fit well on the shelf next to 316 and 511.

For almost thirty years, the collective group known first as Joy Division and then New Order have made an impact on the world of pop music that is interesting and profound. Shunning the very trappings of fame that most bands would kill for, they have remained true to their own elusive muse.

The music videos they've made have always been stand-outs. From the early hectic nature of "Confusion" to the slickness of "Bizarre Love Triangle" and the explosive "True Faith" and the oddity of "World", the boys and girl of the band have never made a dull video. Sure, some aren't as great as others ("Shellshock" and "World In Motion" spring to mind), but the overall effect of having every NO music video ever made including the new ones from "Waiting For The Siren's Call" is more than worth the occasionally bad video.

And the additions of new videos for classic tracks like "Ceremony" and "Temptation" (as well the infamous "Regret" on the beach with the cast of Baywatch) is fantastic.

If that wasn't enough (and I'm assuming the reviews are for ITEM, the two-disc collection), you get the 1994 "NewOrderStory", which is by far one of the most interesting (if obtuse) "documentaries" ever committed to film. As weird and wonderful as the band themselves, it makes a perfect companion to the 2002 film "24 Hour Party People".

All in all, this is a must for any NO fan. The only grumbling point I would have is the non-inclusion of the few Joy Division live performances or the video for "Love Will Tear Us Apart", but the NO Story has two scenes from the band's early days with Ian Curtis as well as the video (which is interrupted by an annoying frontman from a certain band named after a US spy plane from the Sixties).

So if you love groundbreaking music videos and getting a look at one of the most enigmatic bands of the modern rock era, ITEM is for you. You can't go wrong with New Order.

Seriously, this is a nice buy for those of us who miss this kind of music. I had seen a few of these videos on videocassette that coincided with the Substance complilation (I believe). But that was about 10 or 12 years ago. I had mostly forgotten what I had seen.

These are my favorites from the first DVD:

Confusion- I had forgotten what the original 7" version sounded like. It has more of a "street" sound to it, as opposed to the mix on Substance. The video is a time capsule of early-80's era dance music. Granted, I was only a child in the early 80's, but I remember going roller skating, and getting excited when they would lower the video screen, and show music videos. There are some nice touches in the video that pay homage to New York, like the pizza in the oven.

The Perfect Kiss- I don't need to say a word.

Touched by the Hand of God- I don't remember seeing this one before. It is a parody of heavy-metal bands. Bernard, Stephen, and Peter have on very dreadful heavy-metal wigs and outfits. Gillian plays an awful keyboard-guitar instrument. Bernard and Peter really get into it, showing every metal performance cliche, like pointing at the audience and thrusting pelvises. When Stephen threw the guitar in the air for Bernard to catch and play, I nearly died.

Round and Round- Perhaps my favorite video. It is pure genius. A series of young, bare-shouldered models look at the camera and subtly change poses, all filmed in black and white. It kind of reminds me of Jean Harlow's famous "word-picture" photos. Interspersed are very quick flashes of primary-color images of fruit being cut, etc. From a photography perspective, it's very engaging. I only recognized one model, Veronica Webb. I don't know if the rest were professional runway models, or just girls they found on the street. Anyhow, they really evoke a sense of the feminine ideal in the late 80's.

World- An hommage to Fellini and La Dolce Vita, shot with one continuous camera. Very inspired. The old woman sighing in the end encapsulates how the "jet-set" life can leave you lonely, when your youth is gone and no one notices you anymore.

Ruined in a Day- Set in a Buddhist temple, this one has a quirky quality that plays up AND satorizes the theme of the song.

1963- A woman dressed up in what looks like something Jean-Paul Gaultier designed for a winter collection in the early 90's. She emerges from an oversized, old fashioned suitcase, and traipses through the countryside. I did find it kind of stupid that she was looking for "New Order", instead of someone in particular. Plus, I think supermodel Linda Evangelista would have been perfect for this video.

60 Miles an Hour- A kind of "short film" about a redneck guy in a bear suit who picks up a hitchhiker, and gets attacked by a dog. It's funny, especially the look on the young woman's face before she gets into the truck.

Here to Stay- The first time I heard this song. The video is almost like something you'd expect from Radiohead or Crystal Method. The song itself is killer.

Temptation (Paris)- A nicely done "new" video for the single, which never had a video to go with it. An androgynous-looking woman shoplifts a 12" vinyl record, and plays it at home. It starts out in black and white, and shifts to beautiful color.

There are a couple of stupid videos, like Spooky and Fine Time, but nothing that tarnishes the rest of the video collection.

The NewOrderStory documentary is a nice bonus.

great DVD
Tracklisting A COLLECTION:
1. Confusion
2. The Perfect Kiss
3. Shellshock
4. State Of The Nation
5. Bizarre Love Triangle
6. True Faith
7. Touched By The Hand Of God
8. Blue Monday '88
9. Fine Time
10. Round & Round
11. Run
12. World In Motion
13. Regret
14. Ruined In A Day
15. World
16. Spooky
17. 1963
18. Crystal
19. 60 Miles An Hour
20. Here To Stay
21. Krafty
22. Jetstream
23. Waiting For The Sirens' Call

ALTERNATE VERSIONS
- Round & Round - USA / Patty
- Regret - Baywatch
- Crystal - Gina Birch version

PARIS / BEIJING
- Ceremony
- Temptation

LIVE 1981
- Temptation - from 316

PROGRAMME
- personal playlist
- A Collection - website

NEW ORDER STORY
1. Transmission
2. Love Will Tear Us Apart : the original with Ian Curtis
3. Ceremony
4. Temptation
5. Blue Monday
6. Touched By The Hand Of God
7. Bizarre Love Triangle
8. Confusion
9. Shellshock
10. State Of The Nation
11. The Perfect Kiss
12. True Faith
13. Round & Round
14. World In Motion
15. Fine Time
16. Regret
17. Temptation
18. Everyone Everywhere
19. Ruined In A Day
20. World
21. Atmosphere

great price for a great DVD collection

I have been waiting for this since the advent of DVD. One of the greatest ever singles bands with consistently compelling videos to boot. The dizzying and dazzling "Bizarre Love Triangle" clip, directed by artist Robert Longo, is perhaps my favorite ever work of video art, and that's just the tip of the iceberg here.

And to Lucas: according to most New Order news outlets (and this Amazon page!), the video for "Waiting for the Sirens' Call" is included.

Additional information:
I have now taken delivery of this package from this Amazon page and it is in fact the double-DVD 'Item' which includes 'NewOrder Story'. They are not currently sold separately. Additionally, the extended version (as opposed to the old VHS) of 'NewOrder Story' contains *many* new and extended interviews with key figures (especially Arthur Baker and John Robie and some people who were never even included in the original, like Pete Tong) and extends sequences from the staged 'N.O. Show' hosted by comedian Keith Allen. The 'Collection' disc also contains excellent liner notes by their regular video producer, Michael Shamberg. It's all here, and it's fantastic. I suppose I miss some of the succinctness of the older VHS documentary edit, but that's hardly a complaint. This is one of the greatest rock DVDs ever released.

(The video for "Waiting for the Sirens' Call" is included)

I admit I did not get into New Order until Blue Monday 88, but was glued to the group after that. This DVD is actuall the DVD called "Item". Not only do you get the video collection, you get the "New Order Story" DVD which is a two hour plus documentary on the group covering their origins as Joy Division and then moving as far as 1993. Rare interviews and insights abound, and is a must-have for any New Order fan. The other DVD is the Collection of videos, which includes twenty-two videos.

The previous track list for A Collection is correct, but there are a few additions:

Waiting for the Sirens' Call
Round & Round (USA / Patty)
Regret (Baywatch)
Crystal (Gina Birch Version)
Ceremony (Paris/Beijing)
Temptation (Paris/Beijing)
Temptation (Live 1981 - from 316)

actually the original US release of new order story on VHS was only 60 minutes long. only the laserdisc US version was 140 minutes as well as the UK releases (i think). So for most US customers, there's a huge difference and will see a ton of bonus material.

this release makes me really happy!