Ummagumma the movie !!

The live disc of Pink Floyd's 1969 "Ummagumma" album contains the cream of their early work performed live. This film produced for Belgian television consists of a spectacular performance in the ruins of an amphitheatre near pompeii, contains most of the "Ummagumma" live tracks and half of the excellent "Meddle" album. Shot on their 1971 tour, it could be considered a fond farewell to the "hippie" Floyd as they prepare for the "Big league". It also features a fascinating documentary on the recording of "Dark Side of the Moon".
In contrast with the live "Ummagumma" album, there is no crowd interference. The only audience in the amphitheatre is roadies and a camera crew. Footage of frescos and murals that survived the ancient wrath of Mt. Vesuvius is often used as accompaniment to the music. This adds considerably to the film's effect.
Musically the video is incredible. It boasts the only "official" live recording of "Echoes" which is split in two parts for greater effect. "Careful with that axe, Eugene" and "Saucerful of secrets" display some superb showmanship from Roger Waters to compliment the already spectular music. "Set the controls for the heart of the sun" is backed by eerie footage of ancient bodies encased in solidified lava which is quite moving. A blusier rendition of "One of these days" contains some incredible drumming by Nick Mason which must be watched carefully to be appreciated. Even the throwaway "Seamus" is reworked here, in amusing fashion, under the title "Madamoiselle Nobbs" The absence of "Astronomie Domine" is puzzling, but perhaps they wished to air newer songs as well as use older material. Some of the scenes showing the Floyd members walking through the barren landscape is similar to scenes from the 1990 "The Doors" movie. Perhaps Oliver Stone used this as inspiration for the desert sequence in that more recent work?
In between the 1971 "Pompeii" sequences, we are treated to interviews with the band from the following years Abbey Road "Dark Side..." sessions. The interviews are often hilarious, especially some priceless comments from Mason and Gilmour, but we also see a more serious side to the band i.e. Waters!! Snippets of tracks from "Dark Side.." are presented in a demo or rehersal format, with solo pieces from band members on particular tracks. The origins of modern techno music are even displayed by Waters and a primitive synthesiser as well.
This film is different to the "PULSE" and "Delicate Sound of Thunder" videos,as it depicted a smaller scale performance, but is no less spectacular. It is nothing like the "Wall" movie, as it features the Floyd themselves and is shot documentary style and appears to have been created during a "happier" time in the Floyd history. It will appeal to fans of "Classic" era Floyd and serve as the ideal introduction to their
earlier "artier" material. A must have for any Floyd fan.

P.S. it rubbishes the modern Floyd's claim that Syd Barret was the only "head" in their band. But then again they probably don't even remember making this film!!