Product Details

• 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: Standing Room Only
• DVD Release Date: February 28, 2006
• Run Time: 58 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000E3LCPK
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,403 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The Rocker is an in-depth look at the life, career and tragic death of legendary rock star Philip Lynott, the founding member of Thin Lizzy. Thin Lizzy’s breakthrough song, Whiskey in the Jar, hit the charts in the United Kingdom in 1973. Its success was followed three years later by Jailbreak and The Boys are Back in Town, which became an international hit and fulfilled Phil’s dream of becoming a rock star.This program features interviews with Phil Lynott and his wife, Caroline Crowther, who speaks about him for the first time since his death; rare concert and television footage; clips from some of the great Thin Lizzy gigs, and classic Thin Lizzy videos. Also included in this DVD are special commentary from and interviews with Phil’s mother, Philomena, Thin Lizzy members Brian Downey, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson, Eric Bell and Gary Moore; managers Chris Morrison and Chris O’Donnell, and rock stars Jon Bon Jovi, Slash, Bono, Bob Geldof, Huey Lewis, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler and Midge Ure.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great Rocker, March 23, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: The Rocker: A Portrait of Philip Lynott (DVD)

This is a very well put together, extremely interesting and moving film about one of rock's top performers and songwriters. Bios like this do have the potential to be rather dull puff pieces, but the interviews and well-arranged film create here a very real insight into this tough, sensitive, intelligent hard rocking man. Interviews with his wife, mother and fellow musicians will tell you a lot about Phil's often conflicted feelings and attitudes, as well as an understanding of the childhood upbringing and influences that brought his talent into flower, and perhaps contributed to his early demise. A longtime fan of Thin Lizzy, I feel I have a much better understanding and appreciation for Phil the man now. No full song performances, but enough partials of "Wild One", "The Rocker", live footage to make me send off for more cds.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply Moving Look at Philo, May 9, 2006

By 

William Heyer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rocker: A Portrait of Philip Lynott (DVD)

This is a deeply moving and personal look at Phil Lynott's life and times as the first few minutes of footage show us Phil's funeral. This Irish production gave me insight into Lynott's life that I had never seen before. We get interviews from all the central figures in his life including all his bandmates, mother, ex-wife, managers and other musical friends/influences like Bono, Bob Geldof, Huey Lewis (who played w/ Phil) and Van Morrison. The musical elements of stories and live footage was extremely impressive and great quality. If they had stopped there, the documentary would have been very good. But they takes it to another level by showing what kind of person Phil was with his family and how they remember him. Private home movies of Phil with his kids and life at home brings a tear to your eye. The man was fiercely protective of his family and never spoke about them publicly, but here they reveal so much including how good of a father he was, his music room at home and even the last words he said to his mother while he lay dying. Forget the cheesy cover of this DVD - I was deeply moved and affected by this documentary since nothing was sugarcoated and we truly do get a true portrait of his life and times. If you are a fan of Thin Lizzy at all, this is required watching. But I also highly recommend it to anyone who is Irish or enjoys U2, Bruce Springsteen, Hendrix, Elvis, Bon Jovi or Van Morrison. God bless you Philip...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Portrait of Phil Lynott, June 2, 2007

By 

Raven Shaddock (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rocker: A Portrait of Philip Lynott (DVD)

This is an excellent but brief (58 min.) portrait of Phil Lynott that shows the ups and downs of The Rocker. There are some rare footage of Phil growing up that talks about his childhood & early days prior to Lizzy.
What's interesting is they have footage of Phil talking about Thin Lizzy. You have interviews with Phil's mother, Philomena, his wife Caroline and Thin Lizzy members Brian Downey, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson, Eric Bell and Gary Moore. Thin Lizzy managers Chris Morrison and Chris O'Donnell. I think the interesting interviews was from the band mates who toured & played w/ him.
Some other guests interviews include Bono, Bob Geldof, Huey Lewis, Van Morrison, etc...
I notice some of the interviews are what was written in the Thin Lizzy `Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels' 4CD Box Set.
They do play some songs but not in it's entirety. It's sad he left us at an early time. Rest In Peace, Phil.