For the novice to intermediate enthusiast, this is a well constructed and fascinating overview of what life and artistic expression was like for the Stones in Spring 1971, which was it's intended purpose (inspire new or deeper fan-dom + renew interest in Exile = greater mythos and sales).
For the long time, obsessive enthusiast...who has either seen / heard or has every piece of audio or video media ever made available outside the Stones camp's private archive...there is still plenty of fun here. The interviews, wisely dubbed over period visuals, carry the story along vibrantly. If you pay attention there's lots of interesting insights...from the various horse's mouths...into their personalities, creative process, the Nellcote mythology (much of which isn't as decadent or mysterious as it has been embellished to be).
As for the footage, while germane to the period, album, and supporting tour the following year, there are only snippets here and there of 'original' or unseen footage (at least to the serious afficianado) with little thought to relevance or accurate chronology. That having been said, it is great to see clean, presumably first generation footage from 'CS Blues' and 'Ladies and Gentlemen' (which is FINALLY being cleaned up and officially released on DVD this fall). The grainy footage from Nellcote is mesmerizing, as are the cutting room floor audio sequences of previously unheard jamming and studio dialogue that accompany them.
A happy note too is the final credits soundtrack giving us 'Exile on Main Street Blues', a quick, piano accompanied track which was previously available only on bootleg since released as a 'flexi-disc' promo prior to the 1972 US Tour.
I enjoyed 'Stones in Exile', and...though, like any anticipated Stones release, it could never live up to the preconceived hopes I had for it...it was alot of fun to watch and I'm glad they did it. My only real criticism is the pointless interviews with the likes of Jack White, Benicio Del Toro, and Sheryl Crow...all nice people and interesting artists (no disrespect) but irrelevant. Fortunately very brief. Don Was was a sensible inclusion because a.) he has worked with them alot, and on 'Voodoo' tried to replicate / modernize the various dynamics that made Exile so great (this time at Ron Wood's house in Ireland). Scorsese, of course, appreciates the Stones intelligently and is always interesting to hear on any topic.
Finally, I'd like to point out that the Stones are now...after waiting almost 40 years...at the artistic status of their original idols who inspired them to play music in the first place (when they were 18 or 19): Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Robert Johnson, Chester Burnett, Willie Dixon, Bo Diddley. They have an archive that is truly a legendary musical legacy, and the wellspring of alot more other artist's work and performing style than they are given credit for.
On that note, Keith, how about an album of covers in 2011 (like 'The Rolling Stones' and 'The Rolling Stones No.2'?)
Secondly, while I hope they continue to write, record, and tour as well, I am thrilled that they are FINALLY starting to really open the archives and share the 'backdrop' (outtakes and demos)/missing pieces (extended Ya Yas) of all their renowned recordings and tours...that could carry them commercially for another 40 years if they never recorded another note or played live again! Keep it coming fellows.
FOOTNOTE: the bonus footage of Stargroves (particularly) and Olympic, accompanied by Jagger and Watts commentary, was worth the price of the DVD alone (for me anyway).