The Doors - Live in Europe 1968

Starring:The Doors
Studio: Eagle Vision USA
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
For Doors completists only, this shapeless gathering of rare film clips of the band performing in Europe is hampered by the same old, frustrating problems with attempting to convey, through lousy camera work, the band's power as a live act. The packaging tells us the Doors swept through London, Stockholm, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam during a 1968 tour documented here, but there's no way to appreciate that save for a random clip or two of Jim Morrison milling about outside concert venues, talking with fans. Otherwise, we see the same sort of obfuscating on-stage close-ups of Morrison you can see in any footage of a Doors gig, stumbling around, crooning, and reciting poetry to minimalist accompaniment by Ray Manzarek on keyboards, John Densmore on drums, and Robby Krieger on guitar. Unless one can see, in the mind's eye, what the band is up to from the point of view of a kid in the 30th row, there's no way to really get the hypnotic, Dionysian effect for which the Doors were justifiably famous. Thus, for anyone who can imagine such a thing, or take it on faith, there's good reason to enjoy performances of "Spanish Caravan," "Five to One," and two versions of "Light My Fire." There's even a relic of pre-MTV, pop promotion: a silly-looking performance of "Hello, I Love You" shot before a baffled crowd on a London street. --Tom Keogh
Description
Filmed during their 1968 European tour, The Doors are captured in performances in London, Stockholm, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. Paul Kantner and Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane, who shared the bill with The Doors on this tour, narrate this compilation.

Amazon.com

For Doors completists only, this shapeless gathering of rare film clips of the band performing in Europe is hampered by the same old, frustrating problems with attempting to convey, through lousy camera work, the band's power as a live act. The packaging tells us the Doors swept through London, Stockholm, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam during a 1968 tour documented here, but there's no way to appreciate that save for a random clip or two of Jim Morrison milling about outside concert venues, talking with fans. Otherwise, we see the same sort of obfuscating on-stage close-ups of Morrison you can see in any footage of a Doors gig, stumbling around, crooning, and reciting poetry to minimalist accompaniment by Ray Manzarek on keyboards, John Densmore on drums, and Robby Krieger on guitar. Unless one can see, in the mind's eye, what the band is up to from the point of view of a kid in the 30th row, there's no way to really get the hypnotic, Dionysian effect for which the Doors were justifiably famous. Thus, for anyone who can imagine such a thing, or take it on faith, there's good reason to enjoy performances of "Spanish Caravan," "Five to One," and two versions of "Light My Fire." There's even a relic of pre-MTV, pop promotion: a silly-looking performance of "Hello, I Love You" shot before a baffled crowd on a London street. --Tom Keogh

Description

Filmed during their 1968 European tour, The Doors are captured in performances in London, Stockholm, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. Paul Kantner and Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane, who shared the bill with The Doors on this tour, narrate this compilation.

Customer Reviews:

Don't bother.......2007-01-09

You have to be a real fan to find anything positive with this DVD. It reminded me of my home movies from grade school.. It was in black and white for the most part and the sound quality was terrible !!!!

Don't Buy This, Rent It.......2006-12-21

The song list for this DVD is misleading. The first "Light My Fire" picks up midway, "Hello, I Love You" is the video of Jim singing in the street, cut with some footage of him messing around with fans, and "Alabama Song" is played over a few still shots/photos and the credits. The Jefferson Airplane commentary is boring and completely useless in terms of teaching anything, or even just being entertaining. I suspect the Jefferson Airplane interview was included because, without it, this DVD would only run about 45 minutes. If you are looking for a good concert DVD of the Doors, this is not it. Live at the Hollywood Bowl is the best. Don't take my word for it. Rent it and see for yourself.

Doors - 'Live In Europe,1968' (Eagle Vision) Running time:58 minutes.......2006-04-15

Had this documentary been in color,I'd have given it a five-star rating.I've heard other fan's comments on this DVD and personally I didn't really think the camera work/angling was ALL that bad.Not for a 1968 production,anyway.Paul and Grace of Jefferson Airplane pops in several times to narrate the concert film.Enjoyed seeing Jim Morrison's onstage antics,energy and the way he interacts with the crowd.Best songs performed were "Light My Fire",the boot stomper "Back Door Man","Spanish Caravan","Unknown Soldier" and "Five To One".A should-have for most Doors fans.

Makes you think back to those times..........2006-03-03

Though I have enjoyed the Doors music over the last 40 years, this is the first glimpse I have had into what this group was really like. It seems odd that some of the best music comes from those whose lives are in the worst of turmoil. It appears that Morrison was a very talented addict who was lucky enough to be surrounded by an extremely talented band. Considering the subject matter, the disc was well done and the sound was much better than I would have thought possible from old recordings. My high rating is for the quality of the disc and the accurate presentation of the material.

Incrdible Doors DVD!!.......2006-02-22

Firts off I would like to say that I'm a HUGE Doors fan, and when I watched this, it just simply blew me away! ENOURMOUSLY ENTERTAINING! It also has two members from the band Jefferson Airplane come on and talk about the tour that they did with The Doors, very intersting. I loved it and you will too!