The Grateful Dead (1977)

What makes it different from others?

What a waste of my time!!!

Truly Dreadful Film

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Wow, what a movie. Not only is it filled with great music but it always is a great time capsule of the late '70s Dead scene. It's a movie that non-Dead fans will enjoy because it truly a movie that brings you to another place and time but it never feels dated in it's presentation. A timeless classic.

I saw the Grateful Dead twice in my life, so I'm not a true Deadhead by Deadhead standards (ie: I didn't follow them around the USA) although I fell in love with "Morning Dew" at 15 years of age (I'm now 53) and listened to "Live In Europe" endlessly in my college years. The first time I saw them was in 1969 in a free concert and then several years later in a paid concert. This DVD represents in my mind, the free concert years. The free concert was totally free in mind and body. It lasted over four hours. Little children and mama's were on stage along with the musicians. The atmosphere was extremely laid back. I have attempted to describe the experience to friends and youth who never experienced a free concert of that magnitude. Thankfully, "The Movie" came along. Now I can only direct those who are inquisitive enough and wise enough to understand the ramifications of such a period in time to this DVD. One more comment: Garcia was an artist in more than musical terms as illustrated by his graphical and fine art and film sense of the movie. He produced this masterpiece. Enough said. You decide for yourself after viewing. One thing that I will state is this: You will never see anything similar in your entire lifetime. This is a totally unique experience of awesome creative magnitude. -Big Wave Dave

...there is nothing like a Grateful Dead show." Truer words were never spoken. This film portrays as nearly as possible the concert experience of the Grateful Dead. Although it was shot in 74, it could as well have been 84 or 94, because things never changed that much. The music is as timeless as "Greensleeves" or "Amazing Grace", and therefore will never go out of style. (How hip do you think Eminem will seem in 25 years?) Like Levis, the Dead are forever, and this film catches them on a really good night, one of thousands, when heaven came down very close to earth, and if you reached up high over your head, you could brush it with your fingertips. If you never saw the Dead, that's too bad, but this movie is pretty damn close. 1974 - wow. Jerry looked so young then. But didn't we all?

Hey now,I think I have watched this movie about 200 times. Really. But it's not just because I'm a Deadhead. It's not just because the time filmed is during one of my favorite GD years, 1974. And it's not just because they have full versions of Morning Dew and GDTRFB on it.The reason I have watched this movie so many times is because it is food for your mind and soul. ( You can add body if you like to boogie during the film.) It weaves the many layers that make up a Dead show into a cohesive whole. Rather than just show concert footage, the movie dives into the hearts and lives of both the audience and the band members. We get to see pre, during, and post-show activities, as well as interesting insights from the band members.The film also does the best attempt of all released Dead videos of capturing "it" -- that unexplainable, natural force at work which can make the experience transcedent for those in attendance. The mixture of five different cameras and how close they get to the band help aid in their attempt to "explain the unexplainable."The highlight of the film is definitely the "Morning Dew", from 10-18-74, right out of a beautiful Dark Star. Jerry made a wonderful decision to have Morning Dew be shown in its entirety. To this day, I still get chills when listening to the climax of that piece.For Deadheads, this film is essential...but what makes it so respected is that the "uninformed" consumer can just as easily access this movie and see what life was like for a bunch of beatniks from San Francisco.Mike Hanley