Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii is a 1972 Adrian Maben film featuring Pink Floyd performing six songs at the ruins of the empty ancient amphitheatre in Pompeii, Italy.
The performances of "Echoes", "A Saucerful of Secrets", and "One of These Days" were filmed from October 4, 1971 to October 7, 1971. The remaining songs were filmed in a Paris studio, along with additional front projection footage for insertion into the Pompeii performances. The sequences in Paris were filmed in late 1971/early 1972, and can be distinguished by the absence of Rick Wright's beard. This version was released in theaters in September 1972 and is also included on the DVD edition as an extra feature. In August of 1974, another version was released combining the original film with supposed recording sessions of The Dark Side of the Moon at Abbey Road Studios. These sessions were actually staged for the film, as the recording of the album had been completed when these sessions were filmed in January of 1973 and the band was mixing the album at the time.
Live versions of the songs, filmed in an old Pompeii amphitheater. Songs included are Echoes (split into 2 parts), Careful with that axe, Eugene, A saucerful of secrets, One of those days, Set the controls for the heart of the sun, Mademoiselle nobbs (Seamus, but with Rick's dog on vocals). "Careful" and "Set the controls" are shot at night with minimal lighting, setting a beautiful mood. And the live Saucerful just has to be seen, with Waters jumping around in the sunlight banging the huge gong. The 80-minute version features studio footage from the recordings of Dark side of the Moon, with alternate versions of Us and them, On the run and Brain Damage, as well as hilarious interviews with the band (don't miss Waters raving about the great economical collapse, and Nick whining about the crust on the pie). Written by Nils Erichson
Pink Floyd filmed playing live in an ampitheatre in Pompeii. Several tracks from 'Meddle' as well as earlier LPs are included. Also includes interviews and clips of the band working at Abbey Road studios on what would become their landmark 'Dark Side Of The Moon' release. Written by Scott Butler
