The Genesis Concert Movie (1977) User Reviews

A document of the Genesis post-Gabriel progressive-era

[smdusk · 8/10 · 3 April 2002]

Nice movie (and still very rare to find) shot during the Trick of the Tail tour in 1976. Great Genesis line-up, without Peter Gabriel for the first time but with Bill Bruford (of Yes and King Crimson) on drums and percussion.

The most important Genesis feature was the theatrical approach carried on in the early 70's by Peter Gabriel costumes and acting. Here it's the music itself, together with a massive light show, to involve the audience. Phil Collins sings quite well, but he'll be able to find a more personal style later on. Impressive rhythm section, with Rutherford (with a legendary double-neck guitar) and Bruford playing complex songs with precision and fantasy. Steve Hackett on guitar has a unique brilliance and elegance.

But a video for fans only: some of the songs are included only in sections (Supper's Ready and Cinema Show) and overdubbed with images that have very little to do with the music. The tracking list is not in the actual order of the concert, and the concerts of that period were also very longer, so this is just a short selection of the songs performed.

Very good stuff, but not the best for Genesis fans...

When Phil Had Hair

[cutterccbaxter · 15 June 2005]

I first saw this movie back in 1980 at a midnight screening when it was common practice for exhibitors to show rock and cult films to attract a youth audience. It was part of a double feature which included the Jimi Hendrix film "Jimi Plays Berkley." The Hendrix film was screened first, and I remember a lot of the audience did not stick around for the Genesis film because at that time in America Genesis were more well known for producing pop songs like "Misunderstanding" rather than prog rock epics like "Suppers Ready." I later saw the film again when it was aired on the USA Networks "Night Flight" during the Eighties. I think today it probably floats around as a bootleg because as far as I know it has never been released officially on video. I think I read somewhere that the band was not pleased with how this film turned out which may explain why it has never been released for home viewing (I apologize if I am mistaken in this area). The band's playing is very good and the film is shot well, but the decisions made in the editing room undermine what could have been a decent concert movie. Instead of sticking to showing the band simply playing on stage, there are many cut-aways to extraneous images, which seemed to be a common visual strategy for many a 1970s era concert film. Some songs are not shown in their entirety which is annoying. The song "The Cinema Show" is one such song and it features a very energetic and exciting drum work out by Collins and Brufford. For much of the performance of the song we don't see the two playing, or the rest of the band for that matter, because shots from silent movies (get it? The Cinema Show) are inserted into this section. Through out the film there are also cut aways to the audience which is a technique Jonathan Demme wisely disposed of in "Stop Making Sense." I like concert documentaries where the audience is integral to the experience like in "Woodstock," but so often the audience cut away adds nothing to what is happening on stage, and is used as a lazy visual transition. I mention this because there is a shot in the Genesis movie in which we see a guy and his girlfriend, and the girlfriend is asleep! Many rock critics would claim that the music of Genesis is sleep inducing, so why offer up evidence to support their assertion? Despite my criticisms of the film I do recommend this movie to all tambourine fans because you will without a doubt see the best tambourine solo ever in the history of tambourine playing during "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)."

It could have been Genesis greatest filmed concert BUT !!

[gonzofaratro · 5/10 · 4 January 2014]

10 stars when you see the band play - 0 star for the director and his editing.

After 35 years I have not come to terms with this film. And I won't, ever.

The music is GREAT, when you see the band play is GREAT and then this director ( director? ) that has shown not only a complete lack of common sense but also how blind and deaf he is to millions of fans all over the world that to this day keep waiting for a full video release with no comic garbage included, what is wrong with this guy?

Having Collins and Bruford play together some of Genesis best songs when the band was on its ascending ride and not being able to see them perform but to see atomic bombs, Vietnam bombings and moronic silent films ... probably the biggest ever assassination of a film in history.

Why did this guy never corrected this butchered monstrosity is beyond me.

This particular Genesis concert....

[pacific707 · 2/10 · 19 October 2007]

Blech!!! Why in the hell didn't they wait until 1977 to capture Genesis in all of their on-stage glory - as well as a view of them being comfortable on a large stage with a massive laser show? This film is so stupid and pretentious, certainly NOT because of Genesis, but because this director decided to include corny-stupid-arty-fart little films to go along with some selections from "A Trick of the Tail." It can be absolutely nauseating to watch at times. However - for fans and historians alike, it's great to watch Phil Collins long before he became an accomplished performer in his own right. He's very rusty and nervous as he goes through the motions - and that's a part of Phil that can be so fun and so interesting to watch - he's so young and undeveloped. Yet, just one year after this - Phil had full command of the stage, the audience, and his incredibly good voice.

You've been warned - watch at your own discretion (like, around 3a.m. when no one else in the house is awake and about....

By the way - the band members, themselves, have expressed their own disgust for this film and seem to even - gulp, detest it! From all of the press I've read about the premiere, the band found it all too embarrassing when they attended. The premiere happened to include, of all people, Princess Anne. It seems the Princess was quite a fan. But look - if the members of the band are even embarrassed by this - then you know what your in for when you watch it. However, no fan of this era of Genesis should miss it - warts and all! The music is fantastic - a great listen to the new line-up, still rough around the edges - as mentioned earlier. It's also wonderful to hear a full concert of Bill Buford's interpretations. I only wish they would have waited a year to capture their stunning "Wind and Wuthering" tour, when they were much more secure about themselves and playing much more tightly with Phil up front. By the time of "W&W," Genesis' performances were flawless. My vote is 2 out of 10 - disliked the film, but loved the music, and I still love the band! My $0.02....