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MC5 - True Testimonial (2004)

Track listing:
  1. Track 01
  2. Track 02
  3. Track 03
  4. Track 04
  5. Track 05
  6. Track 06
  7. Track 07
  8. Track 08
  9. Track 09
  10. Track 10

Notes

There are very few films about rock & roll that are works of unmitigated genius, and even fewer music documentaries that embrace their subjects and hold up as brilliant filmmaking: Jeff Stein's The Kids Are Alright is one, and The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash could also qualify (albeit with an asterisk, as satire). This movie can also be counted on that list, and arguably occupies an even higher position in that it is a lot longer and more intense and provocative than Stein's movie, which are all reflections of how well it embraces its subject matter. For those unfamiliar, The MC5: A True Testimonial by David C. Thomas was a documentary about the renowned Detroit-spawned band, who became outlaws and wanted men in their own time for their political involvements, and whose music provided some of the direct underpinnings for '70s punk; the sound was good and loud, everyone who was relevant was interviewed, and the performance clips alone were worth the price of admission. But because of legal problems and creative disputes, the movie enjoyed only a very brief run (to generally rave reviews) in the United States in 2002, and was scheduled for DVD release in 2004, until more disputed legal matters ended up cancelling the release. What makes the DVD really special are the extras, which include the uncut versions of the various performance clips used in the movie, and also the sequences shot for but dropped from the movie. Additionally, there is the commentary track by Thomas and producer Laurel Legler, who are huge MC5 fans and walk you through every shot of the movie wearing both their respective hats, as admirers of the band and filmmakers, which results in one of the finest and most entertaining commentary tracks ever heard on a rock & roll movie. As of this writing (in March of 2006), True Testimonial is two years late in showing up on DVD, with no resolution in sight -- but review copies were sent out, and those have occasionally changed hands between fans. If one comes your way, or someone offers to show it to you, any MC5 fan should jump right on the opportunity with both feet and no hesitation.
-allmusic.com review