Having just watched this concert for the first time, I feel it is a very worthy addition to the huge amount of material available on the Rolling Stones. Yes, we have heard and seen many of the tracks before but you do get a really good feeling watching this Hyde Park event. I particularly liked the introduction, the frequent long views and close-up shots of the crowd. The camera work is very good. Also, occasional footage from the 1969 concert is inserted at various points. It is very obvious how the crowd still interact with the group and the transfer of energy is very apparent. The close-ups of fans on Ruby Tuesday give a clear indication of how this band's appeal crosses over so many generations.
The complaint regarding the Blu-ray showing bars or interference above and below the main picture are unjustified from my viewing. I am not sure what screen it was being viewed on by the reviewer but there was nothing at all visible to me. I watched it on a 47 inch Panasonic full HD TV. The picture was very sharp both from a distance and up close. The sound was especially impressive with the separation excellent. This is a true Blu-ray release. It is just possible that there may be some faulty copies out there, I am not sure. Eagle Vision definitely had a major problem with the audio on some, but not all, of the Blu-ray copies of Paul McCartney and Wings Rockshow. Only recently was I confident enough to purchase this and even then only from Amazon themselves - where fresh examples are being constantly supplied.
I have only watched the Rolling Stones live once - in Santaigo, Spain - in the Summer of 1999. I had cycled the Pilgrim's Route from the French Pyrenees to Galicia and the journey, which normally takes 2 weeks, took me three, on account of having met a Spanish woman along the way. Proof enough, if it were needed, that this special mission need not be just a religious experience! I can well see why Galicia is Mick's favourite province in Spain. Thankfully, the extra time taken meant I arrived a couple of days before the concert which I was unaware was taking place. I delayed the onward journey to Finisterre and stayed in Santiago a little longer. I remember a full-on 2 hour concert full of energy and highlighting the Bridges to Babylon album. This latest offering seems to suggest the group have not lost anything in performance.
Any negatives? Yes. Why is it that we continually see releases with bonus tracks? The 3 tracks included here were all part of the concert and could surely have been included in the order they were performed. Simple you would think but this is a very common trend with concert dvds. In addition, there are several different formats and combinations available. I don't know how the standard dvd compares but I intend to find out as it comes with the 2 cds. If you want the cds plus the Blu-ray you will end up with a spare dvd! The same thing occurred with the last Def Leppard release - Viva! Hysteria. Finally, the cds contain 2 extra tracks not included on the dvd or Blu-ray. These should have featured in order on both. Frustratingly, it appears that different versions have surfaced in other countries and some have seen fit to include these tracks. Why couldn't they do this in the UK?
However tempting it is to knock a star off for the above, I won't. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and the addition of a slimline case inside a nice card slipcase together with the 16-page colour booklet make it an attractive purchase.