Since 1965, Pink Floyd have wowed fans all over the globe, becoming one of the most influential rock bands of all time. They’ve released fifteen studio albums, seven live albums, and performed countless dynamic, elaborate concerts. In 1971, filmmaker Adrian Maben came to the band with an idea: to film Pink Floyd performing in the ancient Amphitheater of Pompeii in Italy. Combined with footage of the band recording in the famous Abbey Road Studios, the end result was 1972’s Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii.
Now, over fifty years later, we return to Pompeii with an all-new restoration coming to theaters and IMAX later this month. The film is digitally re-mastered in 4K, directly from the original 35mm footage, and includes enhanced audio mixed by musician Steven Wilson.
Back to Pompeii, in 4K
The film opens with a montage of establishing shots, including a wide shot of the crew setting up instruments on the dirt floor in the center of the amphitheater. Once ready, there’s a slow push-in as the band opens with “Echoes Part One.” Given the venue, there’s no crowd, no screaming fans. Just the band itself and the small crew to film them. Unlike other concert films, while we are treated to songs in their entirety, Pink Floyd at Pompeii isn’t an uninterrupted performance. Instead, as they play, we intercut to atmospheric footage of the band, heads of statues, even images of ancient mosaics to enhance the aura of the locale. In between some numbers, Maben includes studio footage from Abbey Road as the band records the then-upcoming Dark Side of the Moon album, with some candid interactions between the group as well as interviews.
As Pink Floyd has evolved, a constant of their careers has been their visual and typically elaborate live shows, and Pompeii is a prime example. They’ve taken such a simple yet novel concept and elevated the performances with the help of José Pinheiro’s editing (further augmented by Nino DiFonzo for the director’s cut). Now, with a 4K restoration and Wilson’s Dolby sound mix, fans will be able to experience this film the way it was meant to be: Big, loud, and at its highest quality. In conjunction with Pink Floyd at Pompeii’s new theatrical run, they are also releasing an official soundtrack album on CD and vinyl, previously only available in abridged form in the box set “The Early Years 1965-1972,” released in 2016.
Pink Floyd at Pompeii: A Visual and Sonic Eruption
Pink Floyd fans, as well as music and concert film aficionados, will appreciate this high-quality restoration regardless if it’s your first or fiftieth time seeing this performance. Theatrical would be the way to go, but if your only option is home VOD or a later physical release, make sure that screen is as big as possible and the volume is up.
Pink Floyd at Pompeii will be in theaters and IMAX starting April 24. The live album will be released May 2, for the first time on vinyl, and can be pre-ordered here.
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