Red-Barracuda Before I saw this one I always assumed that this would be a standard live performance film. Well, looking back on it, I guess the clue is in the title, as Pompeii is no longer a bustling metropolis so it seems kind of unlikely it was going to have a typical concert venue - mount Vesuvius put paid to all of this some time ago, I won't go into specifics as to why but trust me, it ended in tears.So what we have instead is Pink Floyd and crew in concert without an audience, but in the middle of one of Pompeii's amphitheatres. The performance is intercut with shots of the famous old Roman ruins, the beautiful artwork and still active volcano. The camera pans and zooms slowly around and it is all rather wonderful actually. This film catches Pink Floyd on the brink of superstardom, just prior to the release of the Dark Side of the Moon album. It captures them in their early psychedelic era, which I find the most dynamic and interesting in the band's history personally. There are many fantastic performances here, of songs such as 'Echoes', 'Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun' and 'Careful with that Axe, Eugene', the latter a song forever immortalised alongside the explosion to end all explosions in the finale of Michelangelo Antonioni's misunderstood counterculture classic Zabriskie Point (1970). Live in Pompeii remains one of the very best live concert films ever and is a very successful marriage of visual artistry and music; which is appropriate given Pink Floyd's ambitions.

atk92 It really should be no surprise that Pink Floyd of all bands could put together such a fantastic live performance. PULSE is one of the best live sets I have ever seen, but for the longest time Live at Pompeii eluded my attention. The first twelve minutes and the last twelve minutes of the movie are devoted to the best version of "Echoes" that I have ever heard. Other songs included in the set are "One of These Days", "A Saucerful of Secrets", and "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun". Depending on which version you watch, you will also get a glimpse of the band working in the studio on tracks for Dark Side of the Moon. The cinematography of the movie has already been complimented upon by numerous reviewers, but it is definitely worth complimenting again, because it is so good. The actual interviews with band members vary in quality. Most interviews with Roger Waters involve him just messing with the interviewer. Mason and Gilmour are alright, but the best interview of the film is probably with the most under-appreciated member of the band, keyboardist Richard Wright. I watched this movie under the impression that is was only live set, and instead became an interesting mixture of live performances of music video quality intertwined with interviews and just filming the band hanging out in the studio. It almost seems like a documentary, and it works refreshingly well.If I had to give the highlights of the performances, I would say that "Echoes" is a very obvious choice and is by far the highlight of the set. A not so obvious second in my opinion is "Careful With That Axe Eugene". This song manages to be so menacing yet subtle that I just can't help but like it. In both cases I find these performances superior to the studio recordings. The main detractor of this film is that "Echoes" is broken up into two parts. With a song so psychedelic and epic, it is such a shame it was cut in half. If the movie ended with the song in its entirety, it would have been almost perfect.

jimmygeekrock There's no contesting Pink Floyd's impact on rock and roll (or on the recording of music post-1973). Despite any tarnishing that may have happened to their legacy thanks to the fake Floyd packages and Roger Waters' runaway ego, they were a great band. One of the greatest.So I was a little confused what to make of this DVD. There's no denying that the band have some interesting interplay. There's no denying that they put together some great tunes here and there. There's no denying what a great location this concert was shot in. It might be the single best concert location ever committed to film. But the reality is that this is the Floyd before they broke free. Before Dark Side of the Moon pushed them over the top. What we're left with is a hit and miss compilation. There are some great moments, but there are also some truly trying stretches. Imagine a bunch of stoned hippies trying to turn a three minute single into a thirty minute "masterwork." Now add organ.Great moments. Great band. Just not their best work.

jayp1687 This is a concert with documentary inserts between songs set next to the Pompeii volcano. This is one if not the best musical performance by the Floyd. The set up and background provides an eerie/mysterious feel to it that is amplified by intense tracks such as "Careful with that Axe Eugene." Panned views of the volcano and computer generated graphics add to the effects. It unlike any other concert they have played in being that the only fans were those involved in the setup and movie creation. Songs like "One of These Days" provide an up-tempo song that highlights the drummer's capabilities. While the classic "Us and Them" shows their more mellow jazz oriented style. Extremely well produced a must see for any true Floyd fan.