Concert for George (2003 Video) User Reviews

A Wonderful Tribute To Nice Guy

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 4 January 2007]

Here is an all-star tribute to the late Beatle, George Harrison, who died of cancer a few years ago. He was a very gentle, likable guy and you know that just by the turnout of music all- stars here and the tribute these people gave to him - for his life and his music.

After the first viewing, I now skip the first 45 minutes of this long concert. It is Eastern sitar music which is okay but not enjoyable enough for me to sit through twice. The concert for most of us Westerners really begins in the second part when host Eric Clapton and the rest perform some of Hasrrison's best songs. Everyone does a good job with the material, doing George's songs proud. I had heard a few of the performances, such as Tom Petty's, were weak but I did not find fault with any performer including his.

It was fun to see Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Billy Preston, Jeff Lynne and some of the others. Joe Brown was someone I was not familiar with but he was outstanding and very likable and sang a touching finale. That ending just night bring a tear or two to your eyes.

so soulful

[jnnhd · 10/10 · 9 April 2004]

I wish I had been there. As a fan of the Beatles and all British music in the 60's, I was moved by the whole concert. The logistics that went into organising it would have been massive, but it came across as just a happening jamming session. The cameras were not at all intrusive, and captured the spirit of the night beautifully. No pompous wordy tributes to George, just an occasional few words here and there

I recognised the main musicians, but would have liked to know who all the others on the stage were.

There were some brief interviews with Eric Clapton, Ravi Shankar, and Olivia Harrison but they were a bit jarring. I would have like to see slightly lengthier interviews and with the other musicians too, about how they fitted into George's life.

The friends of George Harrison meet on the first anniversary of his death to give a concert celebrating his life and music.

[ctoprefect · 8/10 · 5 October 2003]

The Concert For George feels like an update to The Concert For Bangla Desh. The two could be watched back-to-back for interesting evening of rock. Unlike many tribute concerts where they get anyone who happens to be on the charts at the time to come and do a song (ie. John Lennon and Bob Dylan), The Concert For George is limited almost exclusively to George's friends and colleagues, most of whom have been putting out great records since the sixties. Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne and Dhani Harrison lead the assembled band through Harrison's best known songs and they are joined by Billy Preston, Tom Petty, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney & Ravi Shankar (who wrote a beautiful indian piece for George). Even the gang from Monty Python, George's favorite comedy troupe, turn up to do a couple of sketches. The performances are mostly good and there are a few magical moments (The long coda to "Isn't It A Pity", Clapton's solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", McCartney's rendition of "All Things Must Pass" and the moment when McCartney's ukelele rendition of "Something" suddenly turns into a full band rendition). Every flower petal in England falls from the ceiling during the finale. It's also a little strange seeing Dhani Harrison on stage, as he resembles his father greatly.

My only complaint is that they sometimes interrupted a good song (like "Handle With Care") to go to an interview. All in all, great for George's fans or fans of good music in general.

A Real Gem That Captures A Special Night

[tommy-79 · 10/10 · 5 October 2003]

I saw this movie with my wife, who is really the big Beatles fan. She loved the movie, and I did as well.

The tunes are so well done, you know that George himself was humming along with them in Heaven. Photography is great, and the documentary aspect of the movie really unfolds into a bigger event that makes you feel that you are as much a part of the event as the musical stars themselves.

This is really a well done movie, and one that captures the essence of a special moment. The event itself brings magic, or perhaps shows us, the magic of George's music.

If you enjoyed the Beatles, you'll love the movie. If you like great music, you'll love the movie. And if you like George Harrison, you'll just get queued up waiting for the DVD release.

Enjoy, and treat yourself to the big screen surround sound version of this gem.

Concert for George

[mdavisdenver · 8/10 · 19 September 2007]

We've had a Beatle Fest for the past few weeks at our house - watched much of the Anthology, Ed Sullivan, A Hard Day's Night, Help!, Let It Be, and saved the Concert for George for the finale.

With all that in recent memory, I think George would have really enjoyed the concert. The Indian music was wonderful and a good start to the evening. Set the right tone.

The choices did showcase George's talent and his optimism, faith, and humor.

A few things in response to what I've read/not read here: Understanding why the Lennon sons were not invited - makes sense when limiting the stage to collaborators.

With that in mind, Dylan being 'on tour' is just not an OK reason for him not to have attended. He was a Wilbury, the Beatles always gave him a lot of credit for influencing them, the concert was planned nearly from the time George died the year before. No tour date could have been more important. Dylan's still being Howard Hughes.

Ringo's words at the beginning of his set were just right. Good attitude of I Loved George and George Loved Me. Thanks for the jelly babies was especially poignant after watching 1964 footage. His choice of 'Honey Don't' got slammed a bit in the reviews - can't understand why. George used the stage name 'Carl Harrison' in the early 60's because he liked Carl Perkins so much. It's just that touch of an old friend knowing what George liked. Added to the diversity - Indian music, country music, his criticism of high taxes, profession of faith. I thought that was a brilliant touch.

McCartney can't seem to be forgiven for some non-specific slight. According to the reviews he either tries to hog the limelight or doesn't join in enough. Something was either great or horrible. That kind of thing. I thought he was just right - a hug and a kiss for Dhani and a funny quote from Olivia. He seemed to be very emotional, but controlled. The uke is always a nod to John Lennon, whose mother taught them a few chords on it. George loved it and Paul played that for George when he and Ringo visited him right before his death. Crowd reaction is a guide of how people felt when they saw these two pay their tribute to their friend.

Clapton looks a bit irritated and frazzled during some of the show, especially at the beginning - maybe having him as a performer, rather than with the additional duty of musical director would have helped.

Everyone was top flight and the production values were astounding. Great class and dignity - both of which Harrison deserved. Still, I can't second-guess any of the choices made by Paul and Ringo. They knew him the best, the longest, through thick and thin. Makes me sad - there will have to be tributes to them. None of us, no one, shares that story from the inside out and I thank them all for giving us moments like this.

Wonderful!!!

[ericsinla · 9/10 · 6 October 2003]

I just saw this last night after seeing two great concerts ( R.E.M. and Bruce Springsteen )and still after being "concerted -out" I feel that this is one of the best concert movies I've ever seen! It's right up there with "Last Waltz." I just wonder if any one else will see it? Eric Clapton was the music director and all of Georges friends were there including the surviving Beatles and some of the members of Monty Python ( plus Tom Hanks !?! ). Also Georges son Dhoni and his wife Olivia host the event. The whole thing looks and sounds great! The fact that it takes place at the Royal Albert Hall is lovely in itself. Paul and Ringo do their thing well, but it is Eric Clapton and Billy Preston that really stand out ( musically ). But ultimately the spirit of George Harrison is what it's really all about and the movie pays tribute to him in a very special way. I really do hope that this movie finds an audience because it is in a word, wonderful!

An Incredible Experience

[MicktheGreat · 9/10 · 30 March 2004]

I had the opportunity to see a little bit of my friend's copy of Concert for George a while back and I liked what I saw so I went out and bought it. I was not disappointed.

All of the songs are solid and most of them are great. The concert is divided into three sections. The first section is Indian music, the second section is Monty Python, and the third section is George Harrison's music. All three sections are worth watching but it is the third section that excels with musicians such as Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Billy Preston, and various others.

Some of my favorites are "Here Comes the Sun", "Photograph", "All Things Must Pass", "Wah Wah", and "Handle With Care". However, my absolute favorite is a toss-up between "Something" (performed brilliantly by Clapton and McCartney) and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (a song in which Clapton displays his musical ability and his vocal vulnerability).

A great, great concert.

9 out of 10

Excellent...emotional...beautiful

[tipperary-1 · 10/10 · 21 June 2004]

I first saw this concert on PBS and just had to have the DVD. This has got to be the greatest tribute show ever. Everyone did such a great job; the songs were sung by just the right people. Eric Clapton should be proud of himself. He put together a superb show. Dhani Harrison is a doll, a mini-George. Joe Brown--where has he been? What a great surprise! While My Guitar Gently Weeps was one of the highlights. Dhani was obviously moved by it and appeared to say something to that affect to EC at the end. EC then comforted Dhani as Joe sang I'll See You In My Dreams. It was all just beautiful. Thank you, Eric. Thank you all for putting this together for all George's fans.

Grand concert for a modest soul.

[redhdmaggie · 10/10 · 1 April 2005]

I can't even count any more, the times I've watched this concert, first in the theater, then at home on DVD. What touches me most about it is how joyful it was, and that all involved, performed at the top of their game -- as if they wanted to do right by George, and give him the highest tribute.

Then there's Dhani, George's son. His uncanny resemblance to his father is startling at first, but then becomes comforting. I believe Olivia, George's wife commented that "while watching everyone on stage, she felt that they had all gotten old, but George stayed young".

My respect for Eric Clapton,increased ten-fold as well. A very private man, he spoke so candidly about his love for George, and how he missed him.

The stage/setting was warmly lit, and the 2 shots they displayed of George throughout the concert were beautiful - the young, playful Beatle, then the more mature, serene wise man.

I loved the mix of eastern and western cultures/music as well, and highly recommend this lovely concert to anyone who loved George/loved his music and the spiritual wisdom he conveyed. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Olivia, Dhani, and Eric for sharing it with the world.

Touching

[rmikec · 6 October 2003]

This was a heartwarming film by way of Harrison's music. The musical production was top notch. The film production was simple and functional. I expected more auteurism - more interviews, personal tidbits, more of a developed documentarian style...and more (some? any?) George Harrison - in person. This aspect was understated (at least compared to my expectations). George (almost) never appears in the film. A somewhat surprising choice considering how magnetic each of the Beatles are/were... and how much photo/film documentation they've undergone. Aside from merely two or three photo stills and a brief voice recording after the credits, George was represented totally via his music (and almost hauntingly by his son who shares many of his same unique mannerisms on stage). And a few short remembrances/personal interviews that always pertain to his music, not to his life.

In the end this makes sense. This film wasn't about George. It was a film about his friends remembering George in the best and most moving way they know - through the depth of Harrison's music, and through the love and respect apparent in performing his music. This was much more affective than any amount of personalized interviews. It was, after all, a Concert for George, a reminiscence by way of his songs - not by way of documentarian interviews. It becomes almost a meta work - the film documents with relative detachment a concert that documents George's music and life. Such a film necessarily lacks the same punch as the live concert - but it does not compensate by fully exploiting the advantages and accessibilities of the film medium. However, in the end this approach is not only more subtle and disciplined (directorially), but infinitely more poetic. The music and the performances tell the story. As I said, the choice worked but is somewhat unexpected, and may keep some wanting more George.

Aside from Eric Clapton's meandering and jejune guitar god solos, the musical performances were absolutely top notch. Although many stood out, my favorites were Joe Brown and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

"All things must pass away..."

[Buddy-51 · 7/10 · 16 December 2004]

George Harrison died of cancer on November 29, 2001. On November 29, 2002, a concert was held in London's Royal Albert Hall in honor of his memory. This film is a record of that event.

Since the DVD version of "Concert for George" runs roughly two and a half hours, it is inevitable that the film will have a few low spots to go along with its high. Luckily, the film gets the rough patches out of the way pretty much right up front, so that Harrison's true blue fans can enjoy most of the concert in uninterrupted bliss and rapture. Admittedly, the film does not have a particularly auspicious beginning. The first 40 minutes or so, after a few words of rambling tribute from Eric Clapton, are devoted to Harrison's love of Indian music, with Ravi Shankar's daughter playing and conducting a composition written especially for the occasion (Shankar himself is in attendance and provides a few words of his own to honor his deceased protégé). As one who, admittedly, has a tin ear when it comes to sitar music in general, I must confess that I found this section to be something of an endurance contest - a reaction I may not share with vast numbers of Harrison's admirers. Fortunately, after a few lame comic routines performed by Monty Python, the real concert begins in earnest, with Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Billy Preston, Tom Petty and others coming on stage to perform a number of Harrison's most well known and well loved songs, both from his tenure as a Beatle and from the successful solo career that came afterwards. Even Harrison's own son, Danny - who is a dead ringer for his father - joins the veterans on stage, playing acoustic guitar for virtually all of the sets. The musicians do an excellent job covering Harrison's songs, with "Here Comes the Sun," "Give Me Love," "I Need You," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Something," and, of course, "My Sweet Lord" particular standouts.

As a film, "Concert for George" is relatively straightforward and traditional, providing few glimpses of backstage moments, no on-camera interviews and no subtitled identification of any of the players involved. However, the picture looks spectacular and the sound is rich, crisp and full-bodied - exactly what one needs to have in a for-the-record concert video.

And I defy anyone not to be covered in goose bumps when Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney trundle out on stage to do their thing.

As the song so aptly states, "All things must pass away…"

The love didn't sleep George

[johno-21 · 9/10 · 5 May 2006]

I saw this delightful tribute concert to the music and life of George Harrison in the theater when it first came out. This is a good film with a great soundtrack that won a Grammy Award but it only saw a limited run in art house theaters and quickly disappeared from the big screen for DVD release. If it ever comes back around on a big screen somewhere someday see it in it's theatrical glory. Excellent camera work in this film directed by David Leland who was one of the eight directors of the award winning 10 part HBO mini series Band of Brothers and as a screenwriter wrote such films as Mona Lisa. This was filmed as a special tribute concert for George Harrison at the Royal Albert Hall in London on the first year anniversary of his death. Long time inner circle Beatle musician friends led by Eric Clapton take the stage in an evening of music from the career George Harrison. Surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are here as well as musicians who recorded with the Beatles, Billy Preston and Klaus Voorman. Ravi Shankar and his daughter do a set. Harrison's Traveling Wilbury band mates Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty are here as well as long time Harrison musician pals Gary Brooker from Procol Harum and Jim Capaldi from Traffic. Jools Holland from Squeeze and touring and recording utility ax man Albert Lee are here too. Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Michael Palin from Monty Python and Pyton players Carol Cleveland and Neil Innes are joined by actor Tom Hanks for a classic Python sketch song. Longtime Harrison friend and fellow ukulele affection ado Joe Brown closes out the show. George Harrison's son Dhani, looking like a young George Harrison plays guitar among the band on several numbers. There is one moment when Paul Mccartney looks at Dhani and you tell he notices the resemblance to his father from the Beatles days and he tries for a second to get his attention during the song so they can share a microphone like Paul and George would often do as Beatles but Dhani is concentrating so hard on his fingerboard that he doesn't quite get what Paul is implying and the song rolls on and the moment is lost. Jeff Lynne produced the concert audio. Eric Clapton is the musical director.

In his role as musical director it reminded me of when Eric Clapton married George Harrison's ex-wife Patti Boyd. At the wedding reception there was a stage set up with amps and instruments and Harrison asked Clapton who the band was. Clapton said, you are. Harrison laughed and said I am? Clapton just said, yeah, look around there are nothing but musicians here so I'm sure you can find enough to make a band out of. Harrison was hesitant but he went up to Paul Mccartney and told him what Clapton instructed him to do. McCartney put down his plate of food and said, lets do it. Harrison must have looked down from beyond at the Concert for George and smiled as to how Clapton was now in charge of putting together the musicians. I would give this a 9.0 out of 10.

A fine tribute

[Jeremy_Urquhart · 7/10 · 25 September 2023]

There are some very heartfelt moments throughout this Concert for George, which took place shortly after George Harrison's passing. I understand there were extra parts to it, but I found a YouTube video that was just focused on Harrison's friends playing George Harrison songs, and that lasted about 98 minutes.

It was a good watch/listen. It mostly worked as a tribute, even if every now and then, some choices were questionable (maybe ukuleles have a bad reputation in a YouTuber apology age, but Paul McCartney coming out with one and then playing Something of all songs initially felt like it could've been a weirdly placed joke).

But Harrison certainly had some great songs, and most of them are played well here. It's bittersweet to know that some people on stage (Tom Petty) have already left the world since this concert was performed, and while it's great that we still have two Beatles, I know they're not going to be around forever. Time marches on, but at least the music always remains, and will prove very hard - if not impossible - to forget for good.

Comments about a magical moment in music

[tpugh1 · 9 December 2004]

This is a concert, not in the traditional sense and what comes out of it far exceeds the output of your standard "concert". This is a group of close friends holding a delayed wake for a dearly loved lost friend, not a stop on some tour. The songs are familiar, yet new. The mixture of emotion that comes with the concert does soften the sound of the music a bit, but does not dampen the spirit of the concert. Who'd a' thought that someone could pick up a Ukuele and produce a beautiful rendition of I'll See You in My Dreams as did Joe Brown? If on some other far away plain, George Harrison was watching I'd bet he was pleased! It would be difficult to produce a better tribute to George Harrison than was this Concert!

A fabulous concert

[neil-476 · 9/10 · 7 March 2010]

Fuelled by the twin engines of the love for George felt by everyone on stage and the man's music, this all-star concert is a celebration flavoured through by the poignant absence of the man it celebrates.

It is the little touches I like:

The Inner Light performed live for the first (and only) time;

The Python offerings, including Carol Cleveland and Neil Innes (and Tom Hanks!);

Ringo fronting two songs MILES better than he ever did as a Beatle;

The look which passes between Paul and Ringo in For You Blue as they recall "and that's the 12 bar blues" in the studio;

The moment when Something goes from Paul's solo ukulele version to the Abbey Road group and orchestra arrangement;

Paul's high backing vocals in Something and While My Guitar Gently Weeps - something I never thought I would hear;

Joe Brown's simple and touching rendition of I'll See You In My Dreams being the perfect closing number;

Rose petals, Dhani and Olivia.

A concert film which succeeds on all levels.

"Concert for George" pays Homage to a "Quiet" Musical Genius

[jtncsmistad · 8/10 · 1 March 2018]

The late Gorge Harrison was labeled "The Quiet One" among the members of the greatest rock group the world will ever know. The iconic songwriting team of John Lennon and Paul McCartney blasted The Beatles into the highest stratum of eternal superstardom during the 1960's. But the music of Harrison was often every bit as substantial and enduring as his uber-talented band mates. And at times, it was simply better.

In honor of what would have been Harrison's 75th birthday last month, the 2003 documentary film "Concert for George" was re-released in theatres. And what a stunning tribute it is to the man who not only mastered the guitar but could also expertly play a staggering TWENTY-FIVE other instruments, as well. Even at over two hours I found I wanted this show to go on and on, having become thoroughly immersed in the magic of the music and spellbindingly captured by the unfiltered passion with which it is expressed.

Longtime confidante Eric Clapton co-organized the mega-event with Harrison's widow, Olivia, and also served as Musical Director. The grand performance was held at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London on November 29th, 2002, one year to the day that George had passed away due to complications of multiple-cancers at the age of just 58.

The set list of "Concert for George" is transcendent. From Clapton's other-worldly lead guitar virtuosity on The White Album's spiritual rocker "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (with a little help from his friends, ex-Beatles Paul on piano and Ringo Starr on drums) to the sublime silliness of "I'm a Lumberjack (and I'm OK)" by the ground-shattering British comedy troupe Monty Python (one of George's all-time faves), these brilliant renditions of historic Harrison classics (or tunes he adored) are uniformly delivered with moving respect and power. But most of all, they are all born of love, pure and genuine.

Precisely as George would have it.

More Tears

[cordenw · 10/10 · 14 June 2018]

The Show has been on PBS all this week and the sadness doesn't diminish with the passage of time. It is an almost religious tribute to a man who was blessed with the rare gifts of talent and modesty. Always my favourite , I remember playing his LP " Living in the Material World" until the needle wore out and then, strangely , putting it aside and not playing it again for years. Hard to believe that Tom Petty and Billy Preston have since joined George in the Great Beyond, adding more poignancy to this latest viewing. This is just an experience for the soul of anyone who grew up in the sixties and I could never get tired of watching it , listening to those special notes and having my heart broken over and over with the memory of those carefree times.

An emotional tribute to a rock legend

[Pipesofpeace · 10/10 · 5 October 2003]

As a Beatles fan it may be hard to write objectively about this enormously satisfying and moving tribute to the life and music of George Harrison. But as a movie fan I can honestly put this film in the same revered class as Martin Scorsese's great concert film The Last Waltz. Gorgeously filmed by world-class cinematographer Chris Menges inside the Royal Albert Hall last year, one year to the day after Harrison's death, the concert was the brainchild of Eric Clapton, who felt that the most fitting way to pay tribute to his friend would be to gather many of George's greatest musical friends and admirers to perform his songs in a once-in-a-lifetime mega-concert. Musical highlights are plentiful. Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne revive the spirit of the Travelling Wilburys with a lively Handle With Care. Billy Preston brings out the gospel flavor of a heartfelt My Sweet Lord. Clapton himself contributes powerful renditions of Beware of Darkness and Isn't It a Pity. An Indian orchestra led by the great Ravi Shankar remind us of Harrison's lifelong spiritual devotion. George's irreverent sense of humor is saluted by members of Monty Python, who are joined by Tom Hanks for the classic Lumberjack Song. And of course there are those other two Fabs, Paul and Ringo, without whose contributions this tribute would have been lacking. Ringo's sweetness exudes throughout Photograph (written with George) and Honey Don't (by Harrison idol Carl Perkins). And Paul has rarely been in finer voice than in his brilliant renditions of For You Blue and All Things Must Pass. There is also an astonishing version of Something which starts out with Paul on ukelele (a la his last tour)then builds to a powerful full-band arrangement highlighted by Clapton's guitar and a lovely string section. And while he doesn't do any singing (save some background vocals), George's son Dhani is on stage during nearly every number, playing guitar and looking amazingly like his own father circa 1963. I pity anyone who passes up the chance to see this in a movie theatre, figuring that the DVD will be out in a few weeks anyway. To see this on the big screen is both a joyous and an emotionally powerful experience. In a year full of great documentaries, this is simply one of the best films of the year.

A Fitting Tribute to George Harrison

[alleninfo · 9/10 · 5 October 2003]

George Harrison's friends play his music lovingly without cloying sentiment or Hollywood glamor. It's a bit surprising to see this charming, warm film in a glitzy American multiplex. The presentation is honest and straightforward with humor and depth. Most of the performers would not be well known to Americans under 50, but their sincerity is demonstrated by the soulfulness of their playing. The music and musicians were obviously chosen for their meaning to George and his family and not to create a marketable commodity out of this event. What an amazing oddity that is in these times. The film documents not a calculated commercial promotion, but a genuine artistic evening.

Ringo and Paul appear in grand form, but George's son, Dhani, is the real star on stage. It's been widely noted how strongly he resembles Beatle-era George. He plays guitar for most of the concert --his face clearly revealing all his joy and his sadness. Paul McCartney contributes the ukulele rendition of "Something" that he played on his latest tour. Many critics have panned it. I thought it was beautiful.

A short segment of Indian music was the spiritual highlight for me. Ravi Shankar explains the words means "George gave us beautiful music" He did, indeed, and this movie is an excellent celebration of it.

By George, this is good!

[Lejink · 9/10 · 26 April 2020]

I'm a huge Beatles fan and also of George Harrison's solo career so this tribute concert film was a must for me. I've just watched it in its entirety for about the third time and it was, again, a pleasure from start to finish. Hats off in particular to Eric Clapton for putting the whole show together and then playing such a stellar hand in compering the show with love and sympathy despite not being, as he makes clear at the start, a public speaker.

The show is very well put together, commencing with extended pieces by members of the Shankar family with whom George had such strong ties. Even though I'm not familiar with pure Indian music per se I fully respected the reasons for the inclusion of pieces by father and daughter Ravi and Anoushka Shankar to start the show, given George's love for it. Indeed it reminded me of George himself showcasing Ravi Shankar as the first act on the bill of his own Concert For Bangladesh which he did at Ravi's request almost exactly 30 years earlier, moreover, it made me think that maybe in Clapton's mind were thoughts of an old debt repaid to his now deceased friend who had invited him to play at that high-profile show when Eric himself was in recluse fighting a crippling cocaine habit. It was also nice to see a little cross-cultural collaboration on these pieces with Clapton assisting on acoustic guitar with Ravi Shankar's raga and Jeff Lynne singing Harrison's lovely Beatles B-side "The Inner Light" to authentic Indian instrumentation.

There's then a brief comedic interlude which signposts Harrison's work as a film producer with a couple of Monty Python's Greatest Hits, with many of whom George was friends and whose "The Life Of Brian" film he famously financed when they ran out of money, because, as he put it himself, he just wanted to see it made. The Pythons have been termed the Beatles of the comedy world given their own trailblazing work, individual brilliance and worldwide appeal. Interesting to see John Cleese pull a Dylan-like non-appearance but Tom Hanks made for a good substitute.

The rock section of the concert is absolutely wonderful and really makes me wish I'd been there on the night. Clapton put together such a fine backing band many from his own touring time, supplemented by musicians and friends who've all played with George at some point in his career, like Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Billy Preston, Gary Brooker, Jim Keltner, Joe Brown, Ray Cooper and many more, plus it was entirely appropriate that George's near look-a-like son Dhani was on stage throughout too. Oh and a couple of members from his old 60's band wander on stage for a few numbers too. In fact the only noticeable absentee was Bob Dylan which didn't reflect well on him especially considering the boosts Harrison gave to Dylan's own career when it was ailing at the time again of the Bangladesh concert and when he invited him into the Travelling Wilburys. Moreover I can recall Harrison dutifully turning up for the 30th Anniversary BobFest concert in the 90's so old Zimmy had no excuse whatsoever.

Back to the music itself and I have to say it was great to hear Clapton take so many vocals, both on backing and especially on lead. He's in great voice and of course you know there'll be no problem for him acing those wonderful solos of George's down the years, one or two of which he played in the first place of course. The song selection is excellent; I might have wished for personal favourites "What Is Life", "Long Long Long", "Blow Away", "Heading For The Light" and "Got My Mind Set On You" to be played too but you can't please everyone.

There are still many, many other highlights, I especially liked Gary Brooker's gallop through "Old Brown Shoe", Clapton's stately take on "Beware of Darkness" and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' revival of "Help!" nugget "I Need You" plus of course Paul's unexpected versions of "For You Blue" and "All Things Must Pass", the great song he and his fellow band-mates nixed from the one Beatles album that was short on great songs, namely "Let It Be". There was more besides, like Clapton and Billy Preston's superb version of "Isn't It A Pity", McCartney's coy intro to "Something" and the full band rocking out on "Wah-Wah" as the set closer, with the delightful aperitif of Joe Brown's "I'll See You In My Dreams" over the end titles.

The sound is pristine especially for such a big group on stage while the camera work was great throughout with the multiple set ups capturing every musician on stage at some point. My favourite little in-moment was when they caught Paul making eye-contact with Ringo for George's ad-lib "And that's the 12-bar blues" from "For You Blue".

The biggest sadness naturally is that George himself was there only in spirit but I'm sure he'd have been chuffed to be so well-remembered and respected by his fellow friends and musicians.

I've seen many a rock concert in my day but this one is definitely up there with the Beatles last appearance on the Apple Building roof as the one I wish I could have somehow attended, it's that good.

Really nice film only slightly marred by Lynn's perfectionist mixes.

[imdb-2078 · 9/10 · 4 January 2004]

Touching, heartfelt. It was wonderful to hear all those great songs so perfectly performed.

Almost too perfectly. Of course, Jeff Lynn and Mark Mann of ELO mixed it, and lord knows Lynn would never burden us with anything human.

Apart from that injudicious perfection, the film is a glorious and uplifting celebration of the coolest Beatle and his music. So many of these songs are stand-outs that it nearly breaks your heart to think that George performed so seldomly. One wonders if his having been a Beatle deprived the world of the fullest blossoming of a great singer-songwriter.

It's hard, from our perspective, to understand how Beatledom must have caged him in, both personally and professionally, and we're left with only inexplicable regret for what might have been.

But never mind. On this film his music sings with the soaring spirituality and optimism that George Harrison clearly felt was what the world needed. The optimism may be dated, but the need is not.

The DVD looked great on wide-screen HD. Highly recommended.

Such limited theater disposition is a pity.

[voice4allseasons · 10 October 2003]

Unfortunately destined for quick release to DVD, it is worth almost any effort that The Concert for George be seen initially in the theater. Any decent home rig will provide for an enjoyable experience, but the in-theater experience will set the tone--no pun here--for extended treasure of this event.

Its musical quality, artist interpretations, continuity, sense of humor(right up George's alley), along with the camaraderie and "familial" love among the artists are inspiring to behold, and it is no less the event to see young Dhani Harrison's physical resemblance "bring his dad back to the stage."

It was a bit sad to see on opening night only some ten or twelve other patrons in the theater and, some five days later, see it unlisted for the same screen. More is the pity for this, but for those in touch with the mid-and-later-20th century musical phenomenon, DVD will far surpass a complete miss. A copy would compliment anyone's library.

Not your typical concert experience.

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 16 March 2019]

This "Concert For George" was not your typical concert experience in as much as it was quite reverential in it's presentation, and the audience was sufficiently well heeled and admirably attired befitting it's location at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The concert took place on November 29, 2002, a year to the day following George Harrison's death from cancer. Eric Clapton was the nominal master of ceremonies, and the performance opened with an array of Indian styled music affirming Harrison's love of it's spiritual aspect. Ravi Shankar was on hand with his daughter Anoushka, both performing individually with Anoushka conducting the Indian portion of the larger orchestral setting. I could have done without the Monty Python portion of the tribute, though Harrison did executive produce and appear uncredited in "Life of Brian", so I can understand why they were there. Considering their reputation, their bit was tastefully done, although Michael Palin's monologue made me a little squeamish before things got back on track.

As for the principal concert, it was astonishing how the selection of numbers, mostly written by Harrison himself, were so wonderfully arranged to offer resonance to the life and death of the former Beatle. There was an interesting juxtaposition in the placement of the Beatles' song 'Here Comes the Sun' right after Eric Clapton sang 'Beware of Darkness'; I thought that was wonderfully done. One has to wonder if Harrison might have been thinking about his own mortality when he wrote 'All Things Must Pass', it was sung by Paul McCartney, immediately followed by 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps', both a tribute and a lament for the iconic musician. It was good to see both McCartney and Ringo Starr back together in a concert setting, along with contemporaries like Clapton, Billy Preston, and a fellow I really didn't know named Joe Brown. Harrison's fellow Traveling Wilbury's artists Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne were also on hand, and it would have been great if Bob Dylan had showed up. Probably the most ironic aspect of the show was seeing young Dhani Harrison on stage performing with all of the much older musicians. Paul McCartney acknowledged a comment made by George Harrison's widow that Dhani, so uncannily resembling his father, looked like it was George on stage who stayed young, while all the rest of his contemporaries got old. I think if George Harrison had though about something like that, he might have written a song about it.

impossibly perfect

[matt-1066 · 10/10 · 8 April 2006]

There has never been a finer concert film. As a director and producer of live concert events, I can say with honesty (and envy), this is exquisitely directed and produced. 14 cameras in the hall, and if you look very hard you can only see one, once, in the cut. The lighting is warm and the flow is superb. Its an incredibly emotional night, and that emotion is captured for you in perpetuity, supported by cutaways of the superstars humbly rehearsing Harrison's complex and divinely listenable music.

There are sublime highlights wrapped inside the rest of the masterpiece: The shots across the line of world-class drummers (all in sync) are truly breathtaking; Any time Clapton plays, but especially when he is playing with Ravi Shankar's orchestra; McCartney's Uke on "Something in the Way;" Dhanni Harrison's glances, brilliantly caught in the line cut, showing his appreciation for Eric and company; Tom Hanks' low key lumberjack; Billy Preston; and the final shot. Wow.

Oh, and then there's the MUSIC!

Excellent! A perfect blend of tribute and classic Rock.

[xkroni · 10/10 · 24 November 2003]

The opening with Ravi Shankar's 'Arpan'(Conducted by daughter Anoushka) poignantly links eastern culture's influence on George to George's on the west.

Someone made the apt comparison to 'The Last Waltz'.

This movie shows that George was his own man.