Livestonth
I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible
BelSports
This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
subxerogravity
Got the privilege to see this on the big screen. It's a pretty amazing movie.It's interesting, the documentary makes the event seem like the first rock concert ever done. I've been to a lot of concerts and the whole thing seem unorganized in comparison to present day concerts, but that's the magic of the whole thing, The Rolling Stones were doing something fresh and unique at the time (Or at least somewhat, Just before this, I saw Ron Howard's documentary on the Beatles playing Shea Stadium, which was more organized and predates this event, but once again, that adds to the magic, as The Fab Four are too squeaky clean to have Hell's Angels as body guards).My favorite part was these inter cuts with the Stones watching the documentary being edited, including the infamous scene when the Hell's Angel stabs a man to death, which became one of those moments in Rock and Roll History that became legendary. Plus a cameo appearance by the Grateful Dead and a clip of Tina Turner performing really add to the vibe.Great Doc, seeing the Stones in their prime interacting with each other was great, one of those things that a true fan can enjoy, but also good music that all can enjoy.
tavm
While I had previously seen this film on tape that I recorded off AMC, that cassette didn't record the whole thing so it wasn't until I just watched it on YouTube that I saw the murder that pretty much ended the picture. If I didn't already read about it on various internet articles, I wouldn't have known about the gun that murdered man had that he presumably intended to use on that Hell's Angel that stabbed him. This film, Gimme Shelter, is both enjoyable for the performances of The Rolling Stones and others like Ike and Tina Turner, Jefferson Airplane, and The Flying Burrito Brothers, and upsetting for all those scenes of those Hell's Angels constantly beating up on several audience members not to mention some of the musicians like Airplane's Marty Balin. And seeing Mick Jagger's face after seeing the whole thing on the view finder makes one wonder how he could have continued the way he did after that. Still, at least during those Madison Square Garden performances of The Stones and The Turners, you could marvel at the way they put themselves out there. I especially loved the way Tina stroked that microphone and its handle! And while the camera is mostly on the audience and their scuffles when the other acts are playing at Altamont Speedway, at least you can hear what they're singing when that happens. So on that note, Gimme Shelter is one of the most compelling of concert documentaries from this most interesting era in Rock music. Kudos to David and Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin.
tjlisson
Contrary to the apparent tone of a rambling previous review, Meredith Hunter was hardly innocent. If he was merely attempting to stand up to the Angels because of their (hardly surprising) thuggery, how is it, then, that he presumably already had a gun with him when he came to the show? Either that, or he knew where to go looking for one when he got there, which still shows premeditation and a strong possibility of already having had connections to the person or group that was the source of the gun. Oh, and by the way, most of the violence in the audience was caused by the audience members themselves, most of which were well removed from the area of the stage, where the Angels were primarily set up.No, amidst this sea of stupidity on all levels, stupidest of all was Meredith Hunter, and I can hardly believe some people still don't understand that waving a gun at the stage in a drugged- up rage will always look like someone is intending to do some serious harm to any number of people (many agree it was actually the Stones themselves who were the likely target, not any of the Angels). But then, I can believe it after all, because lots of people today aren't any smarter.
Ralf Beckers
I only recently acquired this on DVD from South America. Initially, bought it only out of curiosity. Now, I think it has taught me some truths. The content is historical/documentary and beyond any conventional rating. The music tracks in the film do have very good audio, though. Now to Dan Sims' question. I share the same view: IMHO, if someone points a gun at me, especially a high as a kite hippie, I'd deal with it in a way I see appropriate to the given situation. Square fact is, that 81 was hired to protect the bands and the audience. One could make a point that the Stones and a bunch of tree huggers owe their lives to the Big Red Machine, obviously the only men sober and sane enough to realize the danger and having the balls to deal with it. Given the chaotic circumstances, I find nothing wrong with the events in 1969. To my knowledge, so did a court of justice. Well, except parking your bike in front of the stage and getting all upset about it when someone stumbles over it. That is so silly. Cheers.
