BORN TO BOOGIE is a real 'find'--though a rock fan for nearly thirty years, I only first saw the film a few days ago, and rank it among the top rock films of all time; the music's terrific (the cream of T. Rex) and the visuals consistently exciting and unusual, leaving this viewer craving any more past directorial efforts of Ringo Starr, who did a fine job here. If you love the music, you'll be in T. Rextasy throughout, as Marc Bolan really is the star of the piece, front and center. Even the fact that some songs are repeated doesn't matter a bit: different venues, costuming, musical arrangements, and bizarre visual concepts are all used to lend different textures and a great deal of upbeat humor to what could have ended up as 'only' a concert film in other hands. As rich and full packed as BORN TO BOOGIE is, the film's only about an hour long, but what is there is totally satisfying. Therein lies my only criticism--the video package states something like 71 minutes, and at least one online source claims the film to be 67 minutes, but apparently it's more like 61 minutes of rocking fun.
8 Reviews
Born To Boogie
ddaub111131 August 2006
If you're a T-Rex/Marc Bolan fan, I recommend you check this out. It shows a whimsical side of Marc Bolan as well as Ringo Starr, apparently having a pretty good time shooting some of the scenes that aren't part of the concert, but fun to watch, leaving you with a sense of getting to know them as just people, and when the concert is shown a talented musician, both playful and professional that rocks and seems to impress the screaming girls. Watching him in concert, you would never know that being a rock star is a job, but just having a great time playing some great songs with some good friends, like Elton John and Ringo Starr appearing in some of the live performances. True, there are a few songs missing that I would like to have seen on there, but like any album it can't have everything. I just bought this in 2006, but if I would have know it came out in 1972, I would have definitely bought it years ago. Sad and strange that a man with so many songs about his love for cars, would never learn to drive and would die in a car crash!
superb
AnnaConstance12 March 2005
this is indeed a treat for every Bolan fan, some might think that it's a little over the top, and that it is only about Ringo and Marc's egos, but i think it's similar to any other concert video, except for the fact that this is Marc bolan, not just any guy! i especially liked the music video for children of the revolution, with Elton John and Ringo Starr. this clip alone is worth all the money, i can't believe they did'not release this version as the single. The movie is really superb, especially for us danes. Now, I wasn't alive during the 70's. but danes in general was totally shot out from what was happening around them. the media didn't play or show any of the popular music back then, including Marc Bolan and T.Rex, they only played a little with The Doors, only the really popular songs though. so, i know from my dad, that seeing this, gives him back a part of his youth, he never got to experience.
i wont make this too long, so... If you're the least bit fan of Marc Bolan, you need to see this. you might find it boring or as said before, a little over the top. But at least you've seen one of the best musicians ever, in action!
Only thing that disappoints me a little, is that Ride A White Swan isn't on the tape. but i forgive it, since Jeepster and Get It On are so wonderfully played.
i wont make this too long, so... If you're the least bit fan of Marc Bolan, you need to see this. you might find it boring or as said before, a little over the top. But at least you've seen one of the best musicians ever, in action!
Only thing that disappoints me a little, is that Ride A White Swan isn't on the tape. but i forgive it, since Jeepster and Get It On are so wonderfully played.
Marc Bolan in superb bopping form. This is what T.Rextasy was all about!
highwaytrousers8 February 2001
Panned by critics at the time but loved by the fans, this film has now become a classic. Mixing supposedly 'surreal' footage shot at John Lennon's home among other places with live footage of Marc Bolan & T.Rex at their very best, this film is not just a must for everyone who's liked Marc Bolan but gives a fascinating insight into the era.
These were the times when Marc was hobnobbing with the likes of Ringo Starr of the Beatles [who directed it] and you can even find a brief spot from one Reg Dwight [Elton John to you] bashing the ivories in an amazing [and never officially released] version of Tutti Frutti and rocking and ballad versions of Children Of The Revolution.
There's also wonderful scenes featuring Chelita Secunda [said to have 'created glam rock' with her use of glitter etc], Mickey Finn and even the actor from Catweazle!!
The best scene for me is in the garden when Marc leaves the dining table, sits down cross-legged in front of a string section and knocks out acoustic versions of classics such as Get It On and The Slider.
Highly, highly recommended!! FIVE stars [out of five].
Rory
These were the times when Marc was hobnobbing with the likes of Ringo Starr of the Beatles [who directed it] and you can even find a brief spot from one Reg Dwight [Elton John to you] bashing the ivories in an amazing [and never officially released] version of Tutti Frutti and rocking and ballad versions of Children Of The Revolution.
There's also wonderful scenes featuring Chelita Secunda [said to have 'created glam rock' with her use of glitter etc], Mickey Finn and even the actor from Catweazle!!
The best scene for me is in the garden when Marc leaves the dining table, sits down cross-legged in front of a string section and knocks out acoustic versions of classics such as Get It On and The Slider.
Highly, highly recommended!! FIVE stars [out of five].
Rory
Ummmm... love Marc Bolan, but...holy early 70s, Batman!
paintbrush_200322 November 2003
After struggling for a few years to get a hold of this on video, I was left a little bit confused and disappointed. I love Marc Bolan, but this was a little much. Very disjointed and very much a piece of its time, I couldn't even bring myself to watch the whole thing again before selling it. If you are a big Bolan fan and get a chance to see this, be warned that you may be left scratching your head.
Wasted opportunity
ElNeilo12 August 2015
It's a pity that this couldn't have been just a live concert but no, Ringo just had to show what a jolly fanciful eccentric chap he was so half the film will make you squirm and wince. Him and Marc mugging at the camera and dissolving into peals of laughter at their own japery will have you reaching for the sick bucket.
That said, the live footage is great apart from the last tune which sadly degenerates into a total racket and confirms that Marc was no Ronno, while the acoustic versions of Spaceball Ricochet and Cosmic Dancer will make your toes curl with embarrassment.
The rest is the most pretentious self-indulgent "whimsical" claptrap you'll ever see apart from Magical Mystery Tour. Shoulda just shown the whole gig and left out the Mad Hatter's Tea Party crap and the rest.
That said, the live footage is great apart from the last tune which sadly degenerates into a total racket and confirms that Marc was no Ronno, while the acoustic versions of Spaceball Ricochet and Cosmic Dancer will make your toes curl with embarrassment.
The rest is the most pretentious self-indulgent "whimsical" claptrap you'll ever see apart from Magical Mystery Tour. Shoulda just shown the whole gig and left out the Mad Hatter's Tea Party crap and the rest.
Put it on - Get it on
brendanchenowith3 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
After repeated listenings to the CD soundtrack, I knew I wanted this film, got it for Christmas and I was amazed. Marc Bolan had such charisma, i can't describe it. I'd heard about him in that way, but didn't understand what people were talking about until I was in the company of this footage. He was incredible. Clips from the Wembley concert are interspersed with surrealistic sketches such as nuns gorging themselves at a garden party as Marc Bolan performs some acoustic versions of Get It On, etc. (I'm still learning the song titles). George Claydon, the diminutive photographer from Magical Mystery Tour, plays a chauffeur who jumps out of a car and eats one of the side mirrors. Nothing I can say to describe it would spoil it, even though I put the spoilers disclaimer on this review, so you would just need to see this for yourselves. It evades description.
Yes, I love the Beatles and was curious about Ringo directing a rock documentary - that was 35 years ago - now, I finally find out it's been on DVD for 2 years, but it's finally in my home. It's an amazing viewing experience - even enthralling.
Now the DVD comes with hidden extras and the following is a copy and paste from another user:
There's two hidden extras on the Born To boogie double DVD release.
1.From the menu on disc one,select the bonus material and goto the extra scenes 2.On the extra scenes page goto Scene 42 take 1 and keep pressing left 3.when the cursor disappears keep pressing right until a "Star+1972" logo appears 4.Press Enter
5.From the main menu on disc two,select the sound options 6.On the sound options page goto the 90/25 (I think thats right) option and keep pressing left 7.When the cursor disappears keep pressing right until a "Star+Home video" logo appears 8.Press Enter
Yes, I love the Beatles and was curious about Ringo directing a rock documentary - that was 35 years ago - now, I finally find out it's been on DVD for 2 years, but it's finally in my home. It's an amazing viewing experience - even enthralling.
Now the DVD comes with hidden extras and the following is a copy and paste from another user:
There's two hidden extras on the Born To boogie double DVD release.
1.From the menu on disc one,select the bonus material and goto the extra scenes 2.On the extra scenes page goto Scene 42 take 1 and keep pressing left 3.when the cursor disappears keep pressing right until a "Star+1972" logo appears 4.Press Enter
5.From the main menu on disc two,select the sound options 6.On the sound options page goto the 90/25 (I think thats right) option and keep pressing left 7.When the cursor disappears keep pressing right until a "Star+Home video" logo appears 8.Press Enter
Bombast Piece Of Sheer Junk
denis8889 March 2019
Marc Bolan was a true glam star, a great singer, excellent guitarist an a very outstanding song writer. He created so many genre-defining albums that to see him n film and on stage would've been a wild dream. Was it? Nope, sadly. Incredible fact is that no matter how cool Bolan was alive, on a silver screen he is plain boring whiff, his antics are laughable and his band is sturdy but nowhere beyond being just plain.
The worst aspect of this film is the non-concert parts with Bolan being just a buffoon. Ringo Starr helps a bit as well as tremendous Elton John but they fail to save this movie from a more of mediocre haze...sadly so/ So, watch this once and then discard easily.
The worst aspect of this film is the non-concert parts with Bolan being just a buffoon. Ringo Starr helps a bit as well as tremendous Elton John but they fail to save this movie from a more of mediocre haze...sadly so/ So, watch this once and then discard easily.
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