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Arena (An Absurd Notion) The Making of Arena [DVD] [1985]

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Director: Russell Mulcahy
Actors: Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor, John Taylor, Roger Taylor
Studio: EMI Music
Category: DVD

List Price: ~~£11.99~~
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New (12) Used (2) from £5.24

Seller: all your music
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars

5 reviews
Sales Rank: 39153

Format: DVD-Video, Import, PAL
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Exempt
Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 58 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6

UPC: 094635893991
EAN: 0094635893991
ASIN: B002JAPEV4

Theatrical Release Date: May 4, 2004
Release Date: September 7, 2009
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.co.uk Review
Released for the first time on DVD to coincide with Duran Duran's 25th anniversary tour, IArena (An Absurd Notion)/I was the band's first live album and foray into film. Pop idols ranging from Elvis to the Spice Girls have all attempted to make the crossover to the big screen; often such celluloid adventures turn into disasters, with the performers' acting talents rarely matching their vocal proficiencies. Filming is squeezed into a few days between the recording of a new studio album and other duties such as touring, ensuring that the end result is typically dire. p IArena/I manages to avoid many of those pitfalls by giving the band no opportunity to act, instead focusing exclusively on their live concert performance. An additional SF sub plot is included centred on Doctor Duran--the evil dictator from cult film IBarbarella/I, from whom the band got their name. The doctor, played by original actor Milo O'Shea, returns to earth from exile confused by the fans' call for Duran Duran. Crash-landing his ship underneath the stage, he and his three Brummie henchmen are determined to disrupt the show. Despite their attempts to abduct fans, and create anarchy the band continue to perform.p Very much a product of its time, the film combines nomadic futuristic imagery with a big budget. Following the critical acclaim of the "Wild Boys" video, IArena/I seeks to capitalise on its style but also take the promotional video to a new extreme using expensive sets and special effects. The IBarbarella/I sub-plot serves little purpose apart from illustrating the story behind the band's name. The live performance footage is excellent though, not just because of the music but also the guys' authentic mullet hairstyles.p BOn the DVD:/BThe original "Making of IArena/I" documentary is included on the DVD, along with a vintage interview with Simon Le Bon. The dubbed TV ad for the video and album is also featured along with a trailer, and video mix. Considering the age of the film, the sound and visuals have both transferred well to DVD, with the extended mix of "The Reflex" sounding particularly good. --IJohn Galilee/I

Customer Reviews:
5 out of 5 stars

Duran Duran at their best February 10, 2004
Bev (Swindon, Wiltshire United Kingdom)
10 out of 14 found this review helpful

I'm assuming this is a re-release of the Arena I bought on VHS in the mid-80's otherwise this is going to sound pretty silly!brThis is not just film of a live concert, this has a story running through it and even includes Milo O'Shea as the bad guy. If you know your trivia of course you'll know that Duran Duran was the name of Milo O'Shea's character in the cult movie Barbarella.brExpect to see wonderful footage of the guys on stage plus dwarves kidnapping a pretty fan from the audience and preparing to drown her in a tank alongside some very weird looking creatures. Meanwhile Milo is trying to distract the boys on stage with his posotronic rays only to get them reflected back, blowing up his whole nasty little plan below the arena. Of course the girl is saved and everyone lives happily ever after.brThe concept for making this sort of film was very new and this was state-of-the-art stuff twenty years ago, but I think still holds it's own even today. I guess this is being brought out to coincide with their UK tour (I'll be there at the NEC) good luck Simon, John, Andy, Nick and Roger.

5 out of 5 stars

Halleluiah! February 25, 2004
6 out of 10 found this review helpful

I am so happy this is being rereleased! We had the Betamax version in the 80's being the modern 80's-type yuppies that we were!! I'm not sure if the casette or the player was worn out first, either way it left a void!pBrilliant compilation, I loved it and can't wait to see it again!

2 out of 5 stars

Very disappointing May 2, 2004
ChezzyD (Swindon, UK)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

I bought the original Arena VHS in 1984 having just seen As The Lights Go Down and Sing Blue Silver on tv which were absolutely brilliant. I bought the DVD because I think I had forgotten just how bad this film is. Don't get me wrong it is innovative but I find myself so often just wishing the stupid midgets and screaming 'fans' would just shut up and get out of the way so I can watch the concert stuff. I wish they had released 'As The Lights Go Down' instead of this: typical case in point - the fantastic version of Girls on Film is ruined by the constant interruptions and you lose all the excitement - if you want this buy the Arena cd which has been re-released and includes Rio Girls On Film which were (unbelievably) missing 1st time round. And where is the live version of The Chauffeur with the weird wishbone torture things? The band pretty much disowned it when they saw it, and I can understand why.... Some nice behind the scenes stuff so maybe worth buying for that if you are a fan.

2 out of 5 stars

Fun but not worth the money. May 6, 2004
Ken Dobbie
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

It's great to finally see all this stuff being dusted off from the vaults. Although Duran Duran are in Arena they don't really take part in it, the film is cut together using footage from the huge US tour, all of which is available on Sing Blue Silver.brThis film really belongs to the imagination of the director. brIt's weird, very 80's and nothing like had been seen up until then. It's certainly a lot of fun but I just couldn't finish it and took it back to the store. I still haven't forgave the boys for leaving out Night Boat and a few other vids from the Greatest Hits DVD. I love all things Duran like many others but this just isn't one of them. brBring on the LIVE AID DVD, Bob.

1 out of 5 stars

Absoluterubbish November 3, 2004
A. Fuller (Newcastle Upon Tyne)
3 out of 5 found this review helpful

I had an early version of this which consisted of just the concert without the 'film-y' bits in between and over the songs. It's really annoying to be enjoying a live song for it to be interrupted by some completely unrelated film sci-fi nonsense. A seperate DVD with 'JUST THE CONCERT' would have been awesome. Rubbish in it's present form. I would have given this 5 stars for the seperate 'concert only' dvd. Its a pity they didn't think of it.......

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