ABBA: The Movie [Blu-ray]

A product of a more innocent time, by a band that was far more innocent than most even then. Not a trace of cynicism or anger in this film, just a relaxing, highly enveloping experience that is a breeze to watch over and over again. Make no mistake, these were seriously talented and sophisticated musicians and songwriters. It becomes shockingly more apparent as time goes on just how GOOD this music was, feel free to compare it to any music, ever. Amazing. Like a breath of fresh air, my mood actually changes for the better when I hear their music or see this movie. And I can't say that about many things. Just think of most of the hollow, vapid, short-lived "entertainers" we have today. They are eons below ABBA. These people were absolutely enjoying life and their careers at this time, which wasn't the case to the same degree by the time they broke up only 5 years later. It's amazing to think how much they accomplished between 1974 and 1982. It's no wonder they continue to sell millions of albums per year even now, in spite of never being "cool", even in their own time. This movie is especially enjoyable to me as I was just becoming aware of the world as a youngster at this time and remember gazing at Agnetha and thinking "I don't know what it is I like about girls, but I like SOMETHING!". She was the most obvious immediate attraction when the band was being filmed or photographed, but all of the members were very charismatic and talented, even their speaking voices were fantastic. Just watch Benny bouncing around on his piano (shades of Rowlf the Dog on Sesame Street LOL). It's rare to find such worry free moments in life. The plot is pure silliness, but great stuff. I especially like the intrepid reporter's dream/fantasy sequence and the elevator sequence when the girls sing the hypnotic "Eagle". You cannot be an ABBA fan and not have this movie. Get it!!

Good movie for ABBA.

I only recently delved into ABBA’s whole discography, and after falling in love with “The Album”, I just had to have its counterpart, “The Movie”. I went in blind, not evening reading a description of the film. Both my husband and I ended up thoroughly enjoying the movie, as it turned out to be part mockumentary, part documentary, and part music video. It’s a fantastic way to get insight into their ‘77 Australia tour, and it’s a fun piece of art that helps flesh out their legacy for those of us who are too young to have witnessed it firsthand. As a previous reviewer said, you can’t truly call yourself an ABBA fan without seeing this movie. I say it’s best enjoyed after consuming a good amount of their catalog, with ‘The Album’ being an essential part of your listening. It’s happy, it’s campy, it’s such a fitting part of their legacy. So if you’re an ABBA fan, sit back, get comfy and enjoy this fantastic time capsule of Europop greatness.

I watched this DVD at a friend's house. As I entered the living room, ABBA was playing on the big screen home theater and... the kids were watching and dancing like it was a Hanna Montana concert :). It immediately brought back memories of those great late 70's days - was I in high school then? - and us kids watching this very concert movie in a theater and feeling happy and free. It was THAT good. And it still is. Needless to say, the first thing I did when I got home was to see if a Blu version was available. It was not or, rather not yet. November 25 is still 'the future' at the time I am writing this but the Blu version is already on order, waiting for the release date to ship out. By the way, I would not have hesitated to order the DVD if Blu was not upcoming because the DVD looks flawless too. Need I say what this is about? Okay, at the height of their glory, ABBA embarked on an Australian tour back in the late 70's. They toured all the big cities down-under and they wowed (is that a verb) everyone. And, while at it, someone made a movie of them wowing (is this REALLY a verb) everyone so that non-Australians could go to theaters and watch them performing in Australia. We get to see concert footage and some backstage takes, a couple of interviews but, at least to me, ABBA is ABBA - the characters on the stage, not the real people with their real problems, so I am happy that most of the movie is showing them performing on stage, not one minute older today than 30 years ago, happy, energetic, strong, harmonious in a loud way and making everyone around happy, then and now. I just can't wait to watch this, again, in Blu - counting down the days already. And, if anyone is thinking about getting the Mamma Mia! uninspired, tired, morally-dubious, untalented, ridiculous, tasteless cheap imitation - it's actually more expensive - don't bother (see my review).

ABBA The Movie The story is aussie radio dj has to get interview with ABBA for documentary (er, I mean't event.) It is the story of how he does it, as the dj chases ABBA on tour down under. Positive,you get to hear some of the lesser known tunes. Personally, I love ABBA performing Tiger, very campy. You get to hear Agnetha's reply to having the world's sexiest bottom. What is it about? It is about an hour and a half. It is a good time. Very formula plot. So recommendation is it? ABBA fans, Yea! Everyone else, nay. Call over your friends, shut your mind off, put your favorite beverage on ice, and pop some corn. Prepare to pleasently waste about 90 minutes and take it for what it is. As for me, I am a yea.

Film sympathique, un must pour les fans d'ABBA

アバのドキュメンタリーとしても楽しめましたし、フィクションの要素もあってとても楽しめました。

Superb movie production of ABBA touring Australia in 1977. Blu-ray picture quality is quite astounding considering other limited video opportunities of viewing the Swedish group with any clarity. To those who would criticise the ABBA Movie as not being a 'full concert performance', this production was never intended to be as such. It's a Movie, not a concert. The diversity of performances, backstage glimpses, casual interviews, fan remarks is admirable. Even the storyline of a hapless radio DJ attempting to interview the group has its own charm. Yet throughout, there are endless on-stage magical performances by Bennie, Bjorn, Frida and Agnetha. As a reviewer in the same age bracket as ABBA are today (early to mid 70s), I can say only that this Blu-ray offering is both a masterpiece and a reminder of how brilliantly talented the Swedish group are. Thank You for the Music, indeed.

Manche Rezensenten hier im Forum geben dieser DVD Punkteabzüge, weil sie von der „dünnen" Story des Filmes „überrascht" sind. Ich denke, das ist der falsche Zugang zu diesem Film. Er war immer als eine Art ABBA-Konzertdokumentation für das Kino und nie als anspruchsvoller Film mit ABBA-Soundtrack gedacht. Daher sollte bei diesem Film die Performance von ABBA im Mittelpunkt der Diskussion stehen. Und ein wenig trägt schon auch die Rahmenhandlung dazu bei, einen Eindruck von der damaligen ABBA-Hysterie in Down Under zu erhalten. Für mich ist der Film heute wie damals Kult. Und ich bin froh, ihn endlich in perfekter DVD-Qualität in Händen zu halten. Denn die Bildqualität der DVD ist für einen fast 30 Jahre allen Film schlichtweg sensationell. Speziell die Aufnahmen bei Tageslicht sind vom Feinsten. Die Konzertmitschnitte können da wegen der eher schlechten Lichtverhältnisse und wegen des durchwegs schwarzen Hintergrundes auf der Bühne nicht ganz mithalten. Aber alles in allem liegt das Bild in ausgezeichneter Qualität und erfreulicher Weise im original Cinemascope-Format vor. Da kommt Freude auf! Ganze Arbeit haben die Restauratoren auch bei der Aufbereitung des Tones geleistet. Was da als 5.1-Mix seinen Weg auf die DVD gefunden hat, braucht den Vergleich mit aktuellen Konzertmitschnitten absolut nicht scheuen. Feine, transparente Höhen, voller, weicher Bass, klare Stimmen. Dabei ist noch eine leichte Tonsteigerung von den Live-Aufnahmen zu den wenigen Studioaufnahmen (zB Eagle) zu erkennen. Dafür klingen die Live-Aufnahmen ein wenig rockiger. Auch die Szenen der Rahmenhandlung wurden sorgsam bearbeitet, sogar der eine oder andere direktionale Surround-Effekt ist zu hören. Super! So soll es sein: Ein alter (Kult-)Film in perfekt restaurierter Qualität auf DVD. In diesem Fall hat sich das Warten auf jeden Fall voll ausgezahlt. KAUFTIPP für alle ABBA-Fans!

Se vi piacciono gli ABBA non potete non avere questo DVD: backstage della tourneè in Australia, con filmati inediti dove potete vedere il livello di notorietà raggiunto dalla band nel 1977 e la potenza dei loro concerti. Audio perfetto e un piccolo booklet con foto e contenuti.