Gimme Shelter (documentary)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Gimme Shelter
Image:Gimme Shelter poster.jpg
Original film poster
Directed by Albert and David Maysles
Charlotte Zwerin
Produced by Porter Bibb
Ronald Schneider
Starring The Rolling Stones
Cinematography Albert and David Maysles
Editing by Charlotte Zwerin
Distributed by Maysles Films
Release date(s) December 6, 1970
Running time 91 min
Country United States
Language English
Official website
All Movie Guide profile
IMDb profile

Gimme Shelter is a 1970 documentary film directed by Albert and David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin, chronicling the Rolling Stones' 1969 US tour, which culminated in the disastrous Altamont Free Concert. The film is named after "Gimme Shelter", the lead track from the Rolling Stones' 1969 album Let It Bleed.

Contents

[edit] Context

The documentary is associated with the Direct Cinema movement of the 50s and 60s. The Maysles Brothers, who directed it, are strong figures of the era. The movement revolves around the philosophy of being a 'reactive' filmmaker. Rather than investigating a subject matter through such documentary techniques as interviews, reconstruction and voiceover, direct cinema simply records events as they unfold naturally and spontaneously - like a 'fly on the wall'.

[edit] Production

The film depicts some of the Madison Square Garden concert, later featured on the live album, Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!, as well as the photography session for the cover, featuring Charlie Watts and a donkey. It also shows the Stones at work in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, recording "Wild Horses". Performances documented in the film include Ike and Tina Turner (who was one of the Rolling Stones' opening acts for the 1969 tour), the Flying Burrito Brothers, and Jefferson Airplane.

Much of the film chronicles the behind-the-scenes dealmaking that took place to make the free Altamont concert happen. The action then turns on the concert itself at the Altamont Speedway, the security for which was provided by the Hells Angels. As the day progressed, with drug-taking and drinking by the Angels and members of the audience, the mood turned ugly. Fights broke out during performances by Jefferson Airplane (at one point lead singer Marty Balin was knocked out by a Hells Angel) and The Flying Burrito Brothers. By the time the Stones hit the stage, the crowd was especially restless.

It was during "Under My Thumb" that a gun-toting fan, 18 year old Meredith Hunter, was stabbed to death by a member of the Angels. The show opened with "Jumpin' Jack Flash", not the imfamous "Sympathy For The Devil", however this show marked the last time for nearly a decade in which "Sympathy For The Devil" was played live in concert.

A young George Lucas was a camera operator for the Altamont concert. However, his camera jammed after shooting about 100 feet of film, and none of his footage was incorporated in the final cut.[citation needed]

[edit] Songs performed

[edit] The Rolling Stones

[edit] Ike and Tina Turner

[edit] Jefferson Airplane

  • "The Other Side of This Life" (at Altamont)

[edit] Flying Burrito Brothers

[edit] External links

[edit] Literature

  • Dave Saunders, Direct Cinema: Observational Documentary and the Politics of the Sixties, London, Wallflower Press 2007fr:Gimme Shelter (film)

it:Gimme Shelter (film)

Retrieved from "http://india.smashits.com/wikipedia/Gimme_Shelter_%28documentary%29"
Views
Personal tools

Toolbox