Pink Floyd At Pompeii - MCMLXXII Review

The Legendary 1972 Concert Film Restored in Stunning 4K - Steven Wilson Remix

A Groundbreaking Concert Film Finally Gets Its Due

After 53 years, Pink Floyd fans finally have what they've been waiting for: a definitive, high-quality release of the legendary "Live at Pompeii" film. This isn't just another reissue—it's a complete restoration that transforms a grainy cult classic into a stunning visual and sonic masterpiece.

Originally filmed in October 1971 at the ancient Roman Amphitheatre in Pompeii, Italy, this unique documentary captures Pink Floyd performing to an audience of none—just the ruins, the band, and director Adrian Maben's cameras. The result was an "anti-Woodstock," a meditation on music, history, and the creative process that has influenced generations of musicians and filmmakers.

Technical Specifications

What Reviewers Are Saying

The Legendary Backstory

In 1971, French director Adrian Maben had a radical idea: film Pink Floyd performing in front of classical paintings. The band rejected it. But during a holiday to Pompeii with his wife, Maben lost his passport and returned to the ruins in the evening to search for it. Alone in the ancient amphitheater at twilight, he was struck by the atmosphere and stillness—and a new vision was born.

Contacting Pink Floyd again, he proposed filming them live in the Roman ruins. Remarkably, a Floyd fan on Pompeii's city council convinced the elders to approve the unprecedented filming. No rock band would be allowed to perform there again for 45 years, until David Gilmour returned for a proper concert in 2016.

The October 1971 shoot wasn't without challenges. Maben discovered his cables were inadequate for the massive power requirements, forcing him to run an enormous cable back to modern Pompeii with guards posted along its length. His one-week schedule shrank to just 3-4 days. Despite the pressure, Maben created something unique: a concert film without an audience, where viewers themselves become the audience.

Audio Quality: A Steven Wilson Masterpiece

Steven Wilson—legendary musician and audio engineer who's remixed albums for King Crimson, Yes, Jethro Tull, and multiple Pink Floyd releases—has worked his magic here. The 53-year-old recordings sound like modern reference-grade audio. Nick Mason's drums punch with clarity never heard before. David Gilmour's guitar soars. Roger Waters' bass throbs with presence. Richard Wright's keyboards shimmer with crystalline detail.

Multiple reviewers with extensive audio equipment (DVD-Audio, SACD, tube amps, 23-speaker setups) confirm this is the finest audio quality ever achieved for this film. No EQing needed—Wilson's mix is exactly how the band wanted it to sound.

Video Quality: Stunning 4K Restoration

The original 35mm film has been scanned in 4K and meticulously restored. While the Blu-ray is 1080p (not 4K UHD), reviewers using high-end 4K TVs report the picture quality "easily looks 4K." The restoration is so clean and detailed that it's hard to believe this footage is from 1972.

Yes, it's in 4:3 aspect ratio (black bars on the sides of widescreen TVs), but that's how it was originally shot. The tradeoff is worth it—you get the authentic theatrical experience with vastly improved clarity. Colors pop, details in the ruins are visible, and the band members' faces are crisp and clear.

The Performances: Pink Floyd at Their Peak

This film captures Pink Floyd at a pivotal moment—after they'd moved beyond their psychedelic origins but before they became the stadium-filling megastars of "The Dark Side of the Moon" era. The setlist includes:

• "Echoes" (23 minutes) - The epic centerpiece from "Meddle," filmed just weeks before the album's release. A sublime progressive rock suite that showcases all four members at their creative peak.
• "A Saucerful of Secrets" - David Gilmour unleashes his guitar while Richard Wright hammers his piano, Roger Waters attacks the gong, and Nick Mason pounds his drums in a crescendo of experimental fury.
• "Careful with That Axe, Eugene" - A lancinant, atmospheric piece punctuated by Roger Waters' terrifying primal scream.
• "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" - Hypnotic and mesmerizing.
• "One of These Days" - Raw, driving energy.

The film also includes behind-the-scenes footage from Abbey Road Studios where Pink Floyd was beginning work on what would become "The Dark Side of the Moon." These inserts offer fascinating glimpses into the band's creative process, including discussions about sound mixing and some humorously stoned commentary from Gilmour and Waters.

The Visual Experience

Adrian Maben's cinematography is a work of art. Tracking shots circle drummer Nick Mason. Close-ups capture the intensity on each musician's face. Wide shots frame the band against the ancient ruins, creating a timeless quality. Intercut footage of Pompeii's frescoes, statues, and volcanic landscape (Vesuvius and Etna) adds an eerie atmosphere that perfectly complements the music.

The film creates a trance-like state—you're not watching a concert so much as experiencing a meditation on music, time, and human creativity. It's both surprising and strangely mesmerizing, with an artistic sensibility far beyond typical concert films.

What's Included (and Missing)

✅ What You Get:

• The complete original theatrical cut (not the later "Director's Cut")
• Optional viewing with interview inserts interspersed
• Multiple audio format options (Atmos, DTS-HD 5.1, LPCM 2.0)
• Subtitles in multiple languages (no English, speech only)
• Cardboard digipak packaging with 6-page booklet

❌ What's Missing:

• 4K UHD version (only 1080p Blu-ray available)
• Director Adrian Maben's commentary (was on previous DVD)
• Rigid Blu-ray case (comes in cardboard sleeve)
• English subtitles during songs
• "Mademoiselle Nobs" bonus track (dog howling to "Seamus")

The Director's Cut available on previous DVDs included dated computer graphics and slower pacing. Most fans prefer this original theatrical version, which focuses on the pure performances without distractions.

Pros & Cons

Who Should Buy This?

✅ Perfect For:

• Pink Floyd fans: This is essential viewing—the definitive version finally exists
• Progressive rock enthusiasts: Witness the genre at its creative peak
• Audiophiles: Steven Wilson's mix is reference-quality demonstration material
• Home theater owners: Perfect showcase for Dolby Atmos systems
• Music historians: Documents a unique moment in rock history
• Cinematography students: Maben's innovative visual approach is worth studying
• Collectors: Historic release that improves on all previous versions

❌ Skip If:

• You're not familiar with Pink Floyd (start with their studio albums)
• You need 4K UHD resolution (this is 1080p only)
• You prefer fast-paced content (this is contemplative and slow)
• You exclusively want modern recordings
• 4:3 aspect ratio bothers you significantly

Historical Context: Why Pompeii Matters

This film influenced countless artists and directors. The concept of performing in historic locations without an audience became a template copied by U2, Radiohead, and others. The visual style—long takes, ambient shots, emphasis on place—prefigured music video aesthetics by a decade.

For Pink Floyd specifically, this captures them between eras. The psychedelic experimentation of the Syd Barrett years had given way to the transitional "Atom Heart Mother" and "Meddle" albums. Within 18 months of this filming, they'd release "The Dark Side of the Moon" and become one of the biggest bands in the world. Pompeii shows them raw, exploratory, and fiercely creative before superstardom changed everything.

The Abbey Road footage is particularly valuable—you can see the band experimenting with ideas that would become Dark Side classics. It's a window into their creative process at perhaps their most inventive period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does this compare to the old DVD versions?

A: Night and day difference. Previous DVDs had middling picture quality and the 2003 "Director's Cut" added distracting CGI. This 2025 Blu-ray uses the original theatrical cut with vastly superior 4K-scanned video and Steven Wilson's completely remixed audio. It's the first time most fans are seeing and hearing this film as intended.

Q: Do I need a Dolby Atmos setup to enjoy this?

A: No. The LPCM 2.0 stereo track is excellent, and the DTS-HD 5.1 works great on standard surround systems. Atmos is the cherry on top if you have it, but the disc sounds phenomenal on any quality audio setup.

Q: Is this the complete concert footage?

A: This is the original 1974 theatrical release version (the second cut, longer than the 1972 initial release). It includes the Pompeii performances plus Paris studio footage and Abbey Road behind-the-scenes material. Some alternate takes and bonus songs from other releases aren't included, but this is the definitive concert film as originally intended.

Q: Why is there no 4K UHD disc?

A: The studio likely judged that demand wouldn't justify the cost. However, the 4K scan is so good that on quality 4K displays, this 1080p Blu-ray looks remarkably close to native 4K according to multiple reviewers.

Q: Will this play in the United States?

A: Yes, it's region-free and plays on all Blu-ray players worldwide.

Q: What's the packaging like?

A: It comes in a cardboard digipak (book-style) with the disc in one half and a small 6-page booklet in the other. No traditional rigid plastic case. Some collectors prefer traditional cases, but the digipak is sturdy and fits nicely on shelves.

The Bottom Line

This isn't just a reissue—it's a resurrection. After decades of subpar releases, Pink Floyd fans finally have a version of "Live at Pompeii" that does justice to the original vision. The Steven Wilson audio remix alone is worth the price, transforming 53-year-old recordings into reference-quality sound that rivals modern productions.

The 4K restoration brings out details never visible in previous releases. The performances capture a legendary band at a pivotal creative moment. The cinematography and location create an atmosphere that remains unique in rock film history.

At $27.68, this represents exceptional value—less than many new albums, for what amounts to both a concert film and a piece of rock history. The 2,010+ reviews averaging 4.7 stars speak to universal acclaim from critics and fans alike.

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