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| The Other Side of the Mirror: Bob Dylan Live at Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965 | 
 enlarge | Actor: Bob Dylan
Studio: Sony
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $7.18
You Save: $12.80 (64%)
New (50) Used (12) from $7.18
Avg. Customer Rating:  55 reviews
Sales Rank: 5492
Format: Best Of, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Live, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), German (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), Italian (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), English (Dubbed)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 83
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5.4 x 0.2
MPN: SMVD714466D
UPC: 886971446692
EAN: 0886971446692
ASIN: B000W1V5TM
Theatrical Release Date: October 30, 2007
Release Date: October 30, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: DVD is NTSC REGION 0. Established company with many years experience in the Music and DVD industry. Please allow 10-14 days for delivery.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Great historical document...! November 1, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is a fascinating document of Bob Dylan's transition from a buzzworthy newcomer to a genuine American icon. Without ornamentation or comment, this disc presents Dylan's impact on the fabled Newport Folk Festival in three pivotal years, 1963-65. In the early sequences, Dylan sits amid bluegrass and folk legends such as Doc Watson and Pete Seeger, a skinny kid paying his dues, earnestly singing his self-penned emulations of Woody Guthrie's talking blues style. There's something in the air, though, an electric charge to his aura that makes him stand out amid the studious folk-scene crowd. In the '64 festival, Dylan is more of a hovering presence, with numerous artists (Joan Baez, Johnny Cash) covering his material and calling him up on stage. There are episodic clips of Dylan and Baez making googly eyes at one another, and a momentary glimpse of the folk scene's equivalent of Beatles-mania, with Baez interviewed inside a car that drives past a gaggle of adoring fans, making light of her own celebrity.
It's in 1965 that Dylan really emerges as a superstar -- the year before, there was a growing sense that he had outgrown the insularity and strictures of the overly-earnest folk scene, but in '65, when he strapped on an electric guitar and cranked up the volume, it was a clear declaration of independence, one that was met with a predictable mix of condemnation, exhilaration and adoration. This rift really didn't concern Dylan -- he'd made up his mind which direction he was flying in -- but the moment is still charged with drama and power, and Dylan's personal charisma had shot off the charts. Even in these oft-times choppy old film clips, he sizzles the very air around him, leaping out off the screen with his puckish, brooding persona metamorphosing moment by moment, an artist who was fully alive and changing the culture around him.
The no-frills presentation is particularly useful -- there are separate commentary tracks, but the main film offers no narration, so you, as the viewer, are free to see and interpret the events for yourself. Dylan fans, folk devotees and students of popular culture will all find this an invaluable film. Highly recommended! (DJ Joe Sixpack)
 only a Bob in the game November 3, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
There's almost nothing left to say this far down the road about the Minstrel from Minnesota. Other than this---he was, is, and likely will forever be, the greatest songwriter that modern America has proffered to the world. For all his stumbles, he is after all only a man, Dylan remains THE transformational figure in modern popular music. He is the bridge between the revolution begun by Elvis and taken across the universe by The Beatles.
This dvd, in glorious black and white, captures the earnestness and even more so the unrelenting brilliance of the 22/23/24 year old icon. His voice, though still raspy, is remarkably articulate though nowhere near as articulate as the words that come out of him. It may be marketed as a music dvd, but it is in fact an artifact of history. Amazingly, unlike most historical figures, this one is still current, still alive and still impossible to summarize in three paragraphs.
Could just as easily have been titled Portrait of The Young Man as An Artist---fascinating, engrossing, and well worth adding to any collection for those interested in His Bobness.
He is so much older now, he's younger than that here....
Dylan's transition from fresh-faced folk icon to electric powered rocker November 25, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Here we see the American musical and poetic genius Bob Dylan turn from a shy folk-singer into the electric guitar-powered rock legend we know today. This transition has parallels to The Beatles who also turned from fresh-faced innocents into world-weary veterans within a few short years.
This valuable document lets Dylan speak for himself through his songs. It's fascinating to see how he soared above his contemporaries. Watching him singing "Mr. Tambourine" man in the '64 festival is simply breathtaking.
Also powerful are Dylan's stunning electric performances of "Maggie's Farm" and "Like a Rolling Stone" - received with vociferous boos and cheers from the crowd - followed by some jaded run throughs of "Mr Tambourine Man" and "It's All Over Now Baby Blue" - the latter a fitting parting gesture to the Newport audience.
Sadly this DVD is over all too quickly, but it is an absolute must-have for all those with an interest in Dylan.
great music, without all the talk November 28, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
"The Other Side of the Mirror" is a brief look at an emerging artist as he developed over a three year period. The music is legendary, moving, and still relevant today. There are no interviews and the music speaks for itself. Although this film uses only the recorded performances from the Newport Folk Festivals of 1963, 1964, and 1965 of Bob Dylan and friends, it is about so much more than that. In the performances from 1963, we see Dylan as a skinny, intense boy, who is wholly consumed by his music, whether performing alone, with Joan Baez, or the cream of the folk music world at that time. By 1964, he is a star, clearly more comfortable with his audience and clearly enjoying his status. The now-infamous 1965 spots with the Hawks backing are prefaced by a performance in the afternoon which was hurried and in which the anticipation of the coming evening's performance was evident. Finally, we see Dylan as he "goes electric" and either completely wins over or totally angers his fan base. He ends the set with acoustic versions of "Mr. Tambourine Man," a song about the lure and magic of music, and "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue," his final kiss-off to the folk world. Many writers have commented on Dylan's attitude toward fans and/or the press, but after hearing people booing during 3 consecutive songs, the acoustic performances he gave were not just perfect but an act of generosity and an appeal for understanding. This film is filled with enduring music, performances of the highest caliber by Dylan and others, and a look back at a more hopeful time in our history.
Timeless November 10, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Most of the other reviews have got it right. "Chimes of Freedom" is mind-blowing. Even the Joan Baez duets are fun and sound great. They are right, the 1965 work is a bit overrated. Nothing compared to Live 1966. However, still great to "see" this bit of history.
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