Product Description

Mick Fleetwood cast a long shadow as the co-founder of one of rock's most successful bands--Fleetwood Mac. He was the lanky, frenzied drummer whose unorthodox style drove the band's luscious harmonies and whose slightly crazed persona balanced out the group's ethereal qualities. In this definitive portrait of a life lived within one of rock 'n' roll's most turbulent groups, the story traces Mick Fleetwood's life from his childhood to his early career playing with the world's greatest blues musicians to his years with Fleetwood Mac. Formed in 1967, the group began with its roots firmly planted in the blues and evolved toward pop-rock as the line-up changed. Ironically, Fleetwood Mac's most successful album, "Rumours," with its carefree melodies and bouncy rhythms, was written about the internal tensions that eventually tore the band apart. Includes interviews with B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Peter Green, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and John Mayall!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90057 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-10-08
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 59 minutes

Amazon.com
Fleetwood Mac drummer and cofounder Mick Fleetwood comes across in this hour-long documentary as a doggedly persistent, admittedly flawed, but ultimately satisfied survivor of some 35 years in the rock & roll trenches. Fleetwood Mac's long and sometimes weird history is documented, from the days when they were led by the fiery blues guitarist Peter Green through the triumphant Buckingham-Nicks years. In the end, though, the program is more Mick than Mac, with a warts-and-all approach that doesn't shy away from his various addictions, two failed marriages, assorted affairs, and, finally, redemption in the arms of his current wife, Lynn. As for the doggedly persistent part, consider this: Fleetwood was so determined to keep the band together that he once took first wife Jenny on tour despite knowing that she was having an affair with another band member. That didn't work, needless to say, but for the most part, Mick Fleetwood's done all right. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews

It's a keeper
Ok, despite what other reviewers said, if you keep in mind that this DVD -- although released much later than Mick's autobiography -- is basically the video representation of that autobiography, then it's right on cue. It's about MICK, and it's about Mick up to the time the autobio was written (with the exception of Mick's admission to now being sober and the pic of his infant daughters). It's not going to have interviews with Dave Mason or Bekka Bramlett, or the Vito / Burnett years because that came AFTER the autobio, Folks.

If you're looking to see Stevie hit the high notes on "Stand Back" or seeing Lindsey finger pick a guitar like no other, this is NOT the dvd for you -- buy a performance recording instead. If you're a Mac fan interested in Mick as an individual and if you're interested in the band history, you'll find that here.

It could have been better
As a big Fleetwood Mac fan, there was no question that I was going to purchase this DVD as soon as it was available. Overall, it's pretty good. It takes you step by step through most of the different Fleetwood Mac lineups and albums up through Rumours...it doesn't go as far as mentioning Lindsey's decision to leave the band during the "Tango" tour. In fact, it doesn't go into the Tusk album or anything after that. But, then again, the DVD is about MICK...not specifically about Fleetwood Mac...or Stevie, Lindsey, John, or Chris. This one is truly about Mick.

I was somewhat bored watching it, I'm sorry to say. It just wasn't done as well as it could have been. It was filmed well...but it just wasn't very interesting. I don't know what I was expecting...maybe more concert footage? Maybe more boyhood photos? It just could have been more exciting to watch. At least there is Fleetwood Mac music playing during most of the movie - that does add something. I just think that Mick seems like a more interesting individual than what is portrayed in this movie. It could have been done better.

If you are a big Fleetwood Mac fan, then chances are, you will end up buying this DVD anyway. If you aren't a huge fan, but you do appreciate Mick's talents and ability to survive for so long, then maybe you might think about adding it to your collection...simply for it's historical properties in the music industry. If you are specifically a Stevie Nicks fan, and would primarily be buying this DVD because of the parts that she is in - well, there is some good news! There are several film clips she is in that I've never seen before...most noteably, the one filmed in Hawaii (I guess), with her dancing hula-style for the camera...dressed in Hawaiian attire. That's pretty cool. But really, her part in this movie is pretty small - because it's NOT ABOUT STEVIE - so buy it with that knowledge.

Overall, coming from a big Fleetwood Mac fan, I rate it a "4". But to be honest, I think that the score would be lower for those "casual fans"...because it just isn't terribly interesting to watch.

One of the better Fleetwood Mac related documentaries
I really enjoyed this release. It's one of the few Fleetwood Mac documentaries that actually tells the story of the band BEFORE Buckingham and Nicks joined in 1974. Of course, there's the whole Rumours schtick that's been said over and over. It was nice to be able to see and hear Judy Wong since she's been connected with the band for years and years.
My BIG disappointment was the fact that basically everything from 1983 on is ignored from Mick's two solo albums, the four Fleetwood Mac albums and the addition of Rick Vito, Billy Burnette, Bekka Bramlett and Dave Mason and the departure of Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie.
That being said, I was still pleased with my purchase, if but for the humourous interviews with one Christine McVie.