Pink Floyd’s landmark 1972 concert film “Live at Pompeii” will be released for the first time on DVD Oct. 21 by Hip-O Records. “Live at Pompeii: The Director’s Cut” will also feature new footage of rehearsals, atmospheric shots and visual effects.
The legendary psychedelic rock quartet ventured to southern Italy in 1971 to perform a concert at the ancient city’s Roman amphitheater. Pompeii was buried under volcanic ash in 79 A.D. after an explosion of nearby Mt. Vesuvius. The city was discovered and excavated in the 18th century, revealing a remarkably preserved depiction of ancient Roman life.
Pink Floyd chose the desolate setting as an appropriately mystical backdrop for a performance, releasing the concert film to theaters the following year. The band played songs from its then-current Capitol album “Meddle” as well as earlier releases like “Saucerful of Secrets” and “Ummagumma.” The concert begins and ends with the 20-minute-plus composition “Echoes,” from “Meddle.”
The DVD will feature the original theatrical 60-minute version of the film as well as a 91-minute version created by director Adrian Maben. The latter was released in 1981 as an expanded VHS home video featuring interviews and footage of the band members during the recording of the group’s magnum opus “Dark Side of the Moon,” released in 1973.
Bonus footage new to the DVD release includes a 20-minute documentary and an interview with Maben about the making of the film.
