just watch it!

Admirable film.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

The film is excellent, is uncensored, but with good breeding. That was the real life not only of the Rolling Stones, but of 90% of hippies in that period. In this film you can see the Glory of those golden years! Rolling Stones was not release this film officially, easy to figure out why! All rock stars are doing the same thing backstage, not only the Rolling Stones; When you're bored, Sex, drugs & Rock'N'Roll is the solution... The Rolling Stones had enough courage to put it on film! After seeing this movie, I've been thinking at "Fire and Loathing in Las Vegas" :) "Cocksucker Blues" was the title of a song Mick Jagger wrote to be the Stones' final single for Decca Records, as per their contract, but the track was refused by Decca and only released later on a West German compilation in 1983, although the compilation was discontinued and re-released without the song. You can find the lyrics of this track on the Internet, and you will see why Decca Records refused it... Of all the tours the Rolling Stones have made across North America, the 1972 tour is still remembered as the most outrageous, most provocative, most inventive musical outing the fab five from London ever performed. The film was shot cinéma vérité, with several cameras, making it a real masterpiece of those times. If you like real music, you must see this !

As an artifact of rock n' roll in the 70's this film is hard to beat. . The movie demystifies the band - Mick, Keith etc. seem extremely ordinary going about the day to day drudgery of being on tour. As far as the music goes this was the band at their peak both live and on record. I didn't realize what a good country/blues piano player Keith is. There are also a couple of interesting moments showing both Jagger and Richards composing. Visually, director Frank's purpose seems to be to re-create the pictorial equivalent of a heroin trip. The film is an at times almost unwatchable series of grainy images, disembodied voices muttering banalities, and freakish distorted faces. The in-famous sex/rape (?) of the groupies on the plane accompanied by the Stones playing cabalistic percussion says a lot about the attitude the group took to the various women who flocked to them. It is disgusting/haunting/ and comical all at the same time. Tough viewing but essential for any fan of rock music.

For me, an admittedly huge Stones fan, this documentary was the stuff of legend. I could not believe it when I saw this in an independent music store. I had read quite a bit about this movie, but to actually see and hear it was awesome. The Stones, after an incredible run of great albums, Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main Streeet, tour America in 1972. This tour is generally considered to be one of the most decadent, excess filled tours in rock n roll history. They hired Robert Greenfield to write a book, and Robert Frank to film it. Given nearly unlimited access, Frank tries to convey what it's like on a rock tour of this magnitude. I have read that some of the scenes were manufactured, such as Keith and Bobby Keyes tossing the TV out the window, the famous groupie scene on the plane, among them. Some of the scenes are a bit much. Heroin induced rants, rambling naked groupies, shooting up, all by the large entourage of hangers on that the Stones took around America with them. The Stones are in very few of these scenes, sub-titles on who these people are would have been nice. Some scenes are just bad, like the shot of what looks like Mick from the waist down, fondling himself, then you see Mick holding a camera, to supposedly make you wonder if that was Mick fondling himself. Was that supposed to be artsy?Sometimes Frank does break through on what touring can be. Keith trying to order a fruit plate from room service, or being having to sign autographs as he checks out of a hotel. Playing cards. Charlie morosely sitting in front of a TV.The excess as it takes it's toll. While Mick discusses business with Ahmet Ertegum, Keith is in the next room nodding off in the arms of some groupie, who also nods off, leaving them in a tangled mess. Chgarlie has said this tour is when the bulls..t level reached its highest point, particularly when Truman Capote and Princess Radish show up. That scene made me squirm, as these ancient, boring old farts glom onto the tour.Then there is the reason for the tour. THE MUSIC. The music f...ing rocks. The Stones play their tails off. From the moment Mick pops thru the curtain as it rises, and the band is blasting out Brown Sugar, till the encore when Mick leads out Stevie Wonder and his band,(the opening act)to do a killer medley of Uptight and Satisfaction, the music kicks. Watch Mick as he get his rocks off during All Down the Line, as he pushes Charlie to kick it out even harder. Mick Taylor playing beautiful, fluid, perfect lead guitar. I have about 6 bootlegs from this era of the Stones, and he amazes every time, musically the Stones at their best, yet watching him on stage, I can see why he left. Bill Wyman is a whirling dervish in comparison. Ron Wood couldn't carry his guitar case as a player, but I can see why Ronnie's personality has helped keep the band together.There is lots of other great stuff, Keith playing some very nice piano. Listening to a single of Happy, wondering if it should be in mono. Playing pool in a bar down south with a bunch of brothers. This is a great documentary of rock n roll on tour in the early 70's. I personally think the Maysles Brothers, who did Gimme Shelter, would have done a better job, and the shelved double album with the Stones and Stevie Wonder should definitely be brought out of the vault. I would recommend this to as essential viewing for all fans of rock n roll.

semi-staged documentary trying to show the coolness of the rolling stones, but the only thing they can think of doing is taking drugs and trashing hotel rooms. the banality is overwhelming, and displays the collapse of a counter culture into unimaginative squalor. I like the Stones' music, but they make lame celebrities.