Product Description

Sex, death, reptiles, charisma and a unique variant of the electric blues gave the Doors an aura of profundity that has survived the band's demise. In September, 1968, The Doors gave a history making performance at The Roundhouse in London's Chalk Farm. They gave powerful renditions of their best songs including: "Light My Fire", "When The Music's Over", "Five To One", "Hello, I Love You", "Back Door Man", "Unknown Soldier", and "Spanish Caravan". Part of the Pioneer Artist Concert Film Series.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #82446 in DVD
• Released on: 1998-09-01
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 56 minutes

Customer Reviews

A Special, Not a Concert
Previous reviewers haven't made the point that isn't exact a concert film but a British television special, which means an overly creative director often interrupts a song to show period footage of riots, fighting in Vietnam, etc. Sometimes this is effective, sometimes annoying, but it does provide a historical setting perhaps useful to younger Doors fans. And the picture/sound quality isn't as bad as some reviewers indicate; this is like watching TV back in the 1960s, no better, no worse. The Doors play well, the newsreel stuff provides a context for this political band, and I don't regret buying this at all.

This video shows the Doors at their peak
The Doors are Open is a documentary of the Doors performance at the Roundhouse Theatre in September '68. Filmed in black and white, this video has the Doors performing their best songs at the top of their game. Morrison's grunts and spews his poetry throughout. Originally this documentary was filmed for English television, interspersed with the music are scenes from Vietnam and riots back in the states. Although the Doors were not a politically motivated band, this video really puts into context the tumultuous times they were living in. Anyone interested in Morrison or the Doors would serve themselves well to own this video. There are only a few filmed Doors concerts out there, and this is about as good as it gets.

Rock N ROll
Everyone has heard about the intensity the Doors brought to the live music stage. In this film, the blend of chaos, theatre, blues, and jazz successfully resulted in a great rock n roll concert. Finally, one can see what Morrison could do on stage. And, hear the band at it's raucous best. THankfully, the film is black and white and the sound goes snap, crackle, and pop. Everything to be desired in a 1968 road film. Best of all, There is no post-Morrison death tribute syndrome here from Manzarek and company. Only a look at what should be remembered about the Doors, and why they should be considered along with VU as one of the great American rock bands rather than Oliver Stone's Hollywood fluff or a "greatest hits collection" only hype band.