The Police - Every Breath You Take

Starring:Police, Sting
Studio: Interscope Records
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

All the evidence that Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland deserved their 2003 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is right here in this two-hour (including bonus features) DVD package. Unfortunately, not a lot of that evidence is visual; the Police's videos--at least the 10 directed by Derek Burbige--seem thrown together and uninspired, consisting mostly of the trio half-heartedly lip-syncing or merely horsing around (the four later ones by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme are a considerable improvement). We do get to see Sting at his most punk (a '78 live version of "Can't Stand Losing You") and most iconic (the "Every Breath You Take" video), and the 48-minute Ghost in the Machine-era documentary is interesting. But it wasn't MTV that got the Police into the Hall; it was superb musicianship and wonderful songs. And here in their digitally remastered glory, they all sound great. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews:

Don't Buy It for the Videos.......2007-04-20

Yeah it's got all their videos, problem is: The Police didn't make really good videos. Most of them are just them mugging in front of the camera, lip-synching the song.

That changes--dramatically--with "Every Breath You Take," one of the all-time classic videos. Still gives chills, 25 years later. "Invisible Sun" is ooookay, "Wrapped Around Your Finger" is a boring but admirable attempt, as video was still a brand-new art form. "Synchronicity II" seemed cool at the time but now seems a little primitive.

The video for "Don't Stand '86" is just depressing, because it was the end of them, the song was atrocious, and the video is nothing special.

HOWEVER for Police die-hards there are two classic things about this to recommend it:

1) The two numbers from The Old Grey Whistle Test, a live-in-the-TV-studio British TV program where they do "Can't Stand Losing You" and "Next to You." They're sloppy performances and Sting looks ridiculous, but must-have footage for Police fans.

2) The REAL hidden treasure is when Jools Holland goes down to Monteserrat while they're recording "Ghost." He gets interviews with all three of them and it's FASCINATING. Sting shows him how he came up with "Message in a Bottle" (and then plays a killer harmony guitar part not on the original version) and "Invisible Sun," which he apparently had just written. Amazing stuff, and Sting looks very comfortable and open with Holland.

You also get interviews/demos with Andy and Stewart which are great, and even an impromptu blues/jazz jam with Jools on piano, Sting on upright and Andy joins on guitar. I have never seen this footage ever, and I've seen a lot.

For this alone, this DVD is worth owning. Great stuff.

a must for Police fans.......2006-09-25

So nice to have all the classic Police videos in one place for the first time. The Police emerged just as the music video medium was beginning to take shape, and they used the format quite well. By todays standards, these videos may seem "cheap", but for the era they represent they are just fine. As the band grew so did the quality of their videos. It would be interesting to see what kinds of videos they would be making today if they were still together. The bonus footage is nice to have as well.

Great music,, Great videos, but...........2006-06-11

I purchased this DVD because I think The Police are one of the greatest bands in pioneer music video history. The videos on this disc are from the 1986 VHS of the same name. So, we don't get any new videos here. The videos are in great quality for thier age. Watch this and remember why "Every Breath You Take" ruled MTV in 1983. Why you watched MTV in the first place, is all here.

Videos appear in this order

1. "Roxanne"
2. "Can't Stand Losing You"
3. "Message In A Bottle"
4. "Walking On The Moon"
5. "Don't Stand So Close To Me"
6. "Do,Do, Do, Do,De,Da,Da,Da"
7. "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"
8. "Invisible Sun"
9. "Sprits In The Material World"
10."Every Breath You Take"
11."Wrapped Around Your Finger"
12."Synchronicity II"
13."Don't Stand So Close To Me '86"

The disc also contains two songs from "The Old Grey Whistle Test", "Can't Stand Losing You" and "Next To You". A documentary
"Studies In Montscfront": 45 mins. of the band recording "Ghost Machine" and 4 songs from the Montscfront concert.

1. "Demolition Man"
2. "One World (Not Three)"
3. "Sprits In The Material World"
4. "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"

My only problem with this DVD is the "Don't Stand So Close To Me" video isn't cleaned up and it seems to go a faster pace than the video I remember. For the video speed most of us remember, watch the VHS or get the DvD set "Rewind: The Best In Music And Video" for the regular version on DVD.

Taylor Hodgkins 5/11/06

Amazing.......2005-07-03

If you like the band or just one member of it you must get this.
Their classics with all their music videos which are now hard to find. Well worth the money, great sound quality as well.
I have this DVD playing in my car and at home.

Great 5.1 DTS Sound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2005-04-22

I just finished watching this DVD on a 50 inch widescreen TV, with a Yamaha RX-V1400 amp. As many people point out, the videos have not been re-processed, but I have seen worse out there. For the age of the material the transfer was not that bad, and was not so distracting. The videos are full screen, but do not look overly stretched on my widescreen TV

The best part is the DTS 5.1 remix on the videos, which is superior. The quality stands next to the Sting DTS Music DVDs. There is the obvious separation of instruments and backing vocals in the surround speakers, and the .1 bass is done very well. NOTE: The special feature live music does not have the 5.1 remix. There are also interviews in the special features, for those interested. Overall, I enjoyed the DVD, and will watch/listen to the videos again. Just listening to the 5.1 mix of the videos is worth the price of admission. Great Sound!!!

I picked this up locally for less than the on line price, and recommend this DVD.

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