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 enlarge | Director: David Leland
Actors: Andy Fairweather-low, Ray Cooper (ii), Sam Brown (ii), Albert Lee (ii), Olivia Harrison
Studio: Rhino Records
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.98
Buy New: $17.89
You Save: $12.09 (40%)
New (36) Used (14) Collectible (1) from $17.44
Rating:  344 reviews
Sales Rank: 2225
Format: Anamorphic, Color, Compilation, Dolby, Dts Surround Sound, Dvd-video, Live, Ntsc, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Discs: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 286 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.6 x 0.7
MPN: RHID970241D
UPC: 603497024124
EAN: 0603497024124
ASIN: B0000CEB4V
Theatrical Release Date: November 18, 2003
Publication Date: 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: dvd is sealed. no apo/fpo.
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Showing reviews 6-10 of 344
An Overwhelming Experience October 14, 2003
David S. Jenkins (On the Road)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
Worlds beyond the usual concert film, this is a deeply emotional experience for those lucky enough to have had George's music woven into their lives. A perfect balance of joy, laughter and loss, a delicate and perfect balance of rock, pop, blues, comedy, classical Eastern raga and ukelele. Contrary to most tribute and hall of fame concerts finding dozens of dinosaurs falling all over each other in sloppy camaraderie and faulty beats, this assembly under Eric Clapton's direction give specific, tight, heartfelt and soaring performances of exceptional grandeur... so obviously trying to do their best for George that it tears your heart out at points. Clapton's work is both grief stricken and exhilarating, McCartney's sadness renders him unusually subdued and appealing, Anoushka Shankar's performance is absolutely transcendant, and Sam Brown's rockin' rendition of "Horse to Water" is a killer, a real treat. This film is, to put it simply, an exquisite and overwhelming experience. Thank you George. And George, just so you'll know... there wasn't a dry eye in the theater...
Inspiring April 7, 2006
Raymond Pauly (Coral Springs, FL United States)
20 out of 22 found this review helpful
George Harrison died on December 1st, 2001. Three days before that, on November 28th, my beloved wife was diagnozed with cervix cancer.
Imagine that, if one of these guys, so rich and powerful, with access to the better clinics in the world, the best doctors, the latest and more expensive medicines and technology, could not beat the deadly cancer... what chances do ordinary people like us have? I read the news of his death and that was the thought that first crossed my mind.
Needless to say, I felt sad to hear it. If there was a world-wide Beatle fan ranking, I guess I would be in the top ten.
I cried when John Lennon was killed as I was driving on my way home and I heard the news on the radio. But George was always my favorite with his spirituality and quietness.
When George died, there where a lot of nice things said about him, like those last words he said about people loving each other. They also talked about his great human qualities and his ever-present desire and will to help people in need. He undoubtely was an extraordinary human being. I shared that with my wife.
As several of the people who have written reviews, I found out that this concert existed a little too late. I had heard about it, but I did'nt know the DVD had come out. I ordered it on January 10th, 2004. This time I was not able to share it with my wife. She passed away a few weeks later, on February of that year, after fighting bravely for more than two years against an unbeatable enemy. George did that to. He passed on peacefully, and so did she. We were married for twenty five wonderful years.
I don't recall how long after that I watched the Concert For George. A few days or maybe weeks later, but it was... inspiring to me. You see... we are all the same after all, and it all comes down to LOVE! That is what this is all about!
I am not going to analize the music, the great musicians and friends of George who organized it, and all of that. It was all just... magnificent! Wonderful! This music and the ones who make it have been and always will be part of our lives.
But many other reviewers already said that very well.
A few days ago I watched this concert again, and I still feel the same way. It is definitely one of the greatest, better, more heart-felt music tributes ever!
I wrote this because I had a story to tell and I felt like sharing it with whoever cares to read it.
Maybe it is my small personal tribute to both George and my beloved darling wife.
Possibly the Worlds Finest Concert DVD: June 25, 2006
Timothy A. Di Pietro (USA)
19 out of 22 found this review helpful
When most of George Harrison's best friends showed up to play a concert tribute to him on the one year anniversary of his graduation from the planet, little did they know they were about to create heaven on earth.
Yes, my heartfelt appreciation for one of the lovliest men ever to walk the earth does cloud my objectivity of this wonderful night of magic called simply "Concert for George".... but I really couldn't give a damn....
This concert contains most of George's greatest songs except "Awaiting on you All" which I really did miss, but after it's all said and done, anyone who would knock this DVD either has no heart or simply doesn't like George Harrison... which is pretty much the same thing.... sorry.
Even Tom ("...you can't throw me off this GD airplane, I'm Tom...") Petty was really outstanding.. particularly when he teamed up with Jeff (ELO) Lynne (who sung the Roy Orbison part) on "Handle with Care".....
Dhani Harrison is the spitting image of his Dad at that age.... so much so that you'll do double takes... Eric Clapton is outstanding at everything..... The late Billy Preston sings "My Sweet Lord" as if he knows he's about to meet Him.... Paul McCartney is bloody awesome and so sweet in his obvious love for George and his memory.... Ringo's version of "Photograph" made me break down and cry.........and everyone is joined by the hottest back-up band of studio players and singers assembled since the archangel Gabriel put together his first band for the homecoming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
From Ravi Shankar to Sam Brown to Joe Brown, Jules Holland, Gary Brooker from Procol Harem, hell I'm surprised the Lord God Himself didn't show up just to give George a proper send off.
BUY THIS DVD - IT'S AS GOOD AS ANY CONCERT EVER MADE. NO KIDDIN'.. IF I COULD GIVE IT 10 STARS, I WOULD.
Timothy A. Di Pietro
Certified Django Reinhardt Junkie
Awesome November 20, 2003
Edward F. McCarthy (Safety Harbor, FL USA)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
Absolutely the best concert film you'll ever see. Watching the musicians give their best makes you understand the love they had for George. Somewhere in the interviews someone says they rehearsed three weeks for this concert...I don't know of any other man, politician, president, or athlete that their friends would put aside three weeks to pay tribute. Absolutely a stunning performance on DVD... I too dreaded the Indian music segment (having seen George on tour in the 1970's) ... that is before I saw it ... absolutely some of the most touching powerful music I have ever heard and I have been a player and listener for a long time. Thanks Ravi - we should all be lucky enough to have a friend compose such a beautiful musical work for us. Someone needs to get an award for this DVD!!!! Now everyone go buy a ukelele and keep George in your heart.... a great artist and man. Watching the interaction between Dhani and the other musicians, should father George be watching down... he can feel confident that his son will be guided through life by his loving friends.
A TRULY APPROPRIATE TRIBUTE TO GEORGE December 14, 2003
PETER XUEREB (SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES Australia)
18 out of 19 found this review helpful
This DVD is wonderful on many levels. Where to begin. The opening Indian sequence is superb with the musicianship shown by Anoushka Shankar breathtaking to behold. The Indian Orchestra are no slouches either!! While it may be a little tempting for some to skip ahead to the "western" part, this opening section of the concert has to be seen and heard to be believed. Originally "The Inner Light" was issued in 1968 as a Single B-Side to "Lady Madonna". I've always loved this song. Here it's given beautiful treatment in a sublime performance by Jeff Lynne, Anoushka, Indian players along with George's son, Dhani Harrison on piano. I hadn't fully appreciated the intricasies of this song until I watched Anoushka perform it on the Sitar. She then proceeds to conduct the Indian Orchestra on "Arpan", a specially composed piece by her father, the Legendary Ravi Shankar. With an amazing interplay between the Indian players and a Orchestral String Section plus Eric Clapton on Acoustic Guitar, the song takes us on a marvellous journey. Yes Dhani, your Dad would love this.
In a fashion only George could appreciate and approve of, the seriousness of the preceeeding wonderful moment is consigned to fading memory as the Monty Python "Barber Shop Quartet" regales us with "Sit On My Face", bare backsides and all with respectful bows to George's portrait. Michael Palin then leads the guys into "The Lumberjack Song" after a funny but fruitless "tribute" to George. Tom Hanks guests as a stand-in Mountie.
After a brief intermission we are entertained by an amazing band, all George's mates, led by Eric Clapton. It was also eerie on 2 fronts (1) the image of Dhani on centre stage with his peers playing rhythm guitar as part of the band all the while looking like George circa 1963-64 and (2) the most amazing aspect of the band itself was the sound it generated, with George's slide sounds particularly replicated so accurately, you'd think George was up there with them...I'm sure he was in spirit!. The special moments are numerous. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jeff Lynne, Joe Brown and daughter Sam, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Gary Brooker & Eric Clapton all contribute truly faithful renditions of George's classic songs. Ringo also chipped in with "Honey Don't", a Carl Perkins classic, truly appropriate as Carl was a hero to George. No egos, no grandstanding, just beautiful musicianship from all concerned. The tributes to George were very understated, the introductions to the various performers simple and to the point. Yeah Ringo was jolly, but that's Ringo. Paul's ukele version of "Something" with Eric Clapton & band joining in halfway was nicely contrasting while moving. His rendition of "All Things Must Pass" was very poignant while "For You Blue" brought back memories of "the old 12 bar blues". He then takes a back seat like the other guys and just plays piano and sings along. Billy Preston's take on "My Sweet Lord" is very special indeed. Sam Brown is exceptional on "Horse To The Water". Petty & Co. on "Taxman", "I Need You" and with fellow Wilbury Jeff Lynne on "Handle With Care" do George proud. Again, "Taxman" is a real highlight because George's great original guitar work is accurately reproduced here and it's only now, after watching it played, can I realise it's complexity. George was a much better guitarist than I had previously realised. Many other special moments are too numerous mention. However the Joe Brown ukelele finale "I'll See You In My Dreams", complete with red and yellows flowers dropping like confetti into the grand looking Albert Hall, a very apt venue, is a "suitable ending" to momentous occasion. Unlike many recent concert DVD's, the camera work here focuses on the musicians at hand and the concerts many highs are beautifully presented as a result. Thank you. It was a truly emotional occasion for all present, be they performers or audience and it was a fitting tribute to George's memory.
The 2nd disc includes a shorter cinematic version as well as interviews and rehearsals which are a wonderful experience to watch. The preparations during the "Indian" rehearsals are fascinating and watching Ravi Shankar compose on the fly and then try to interpret his intentions to the String Section make for some really nice moments. The interviews with Dhani are particularly special especially when he demonstrates things his Dad showed him to play and when he talks about the experience of being on stage with such a huge band... 8 guitarists, 4 drummers...wow! Python backstage is also great fun and the rehearsals very entertaining. Overall if you don't like this DVD then you've probably got a heart of stone and ice in your veins or you're just very hard to please indeed. I can't fault it and I utterly, utterly recommend it to anyone who love George Harrison's music but also those who love concert DVD's.
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