U2start.com | Rattle And Hum movie = GONE Forever?!?

u2met86: pleasegone, it’s funny how you missed the obvious point of the original post.

An important piece of U2's history is being erased.

Holy Chicken Fries Batman!

I don't know where to start here. First, it's just not that important. It does pain me that the band has ignored the album and the movie. In the post above yours I mentioned that. The original post implied that you couldn't find the movie. As others pointed out, it is easily found, and is not going to be hard to find. The original poster also said we should rush out to buy what is left, which is funny, since it's not going anywhere anytime soon.

Maybe the band will change their mind. I was shocked but very happy that they finally put the Mexico City DVD out, so maybe if the band listens to their fans, R&H will get the deluxe treatment. They saw it as a failure, but it outsold Boy and October combined, and they got deluxe versions...so there is hope.

kris_smith87

10 years

I think Mexico City is my favorite DVD! So glad it was released!

u2met86

10 years

First, pleasegone, I offer an apology.

The particular post of yours about me ignoring “obvious facts” came across as a bit condescending, and I impulsively responded to that in kind.

But in good faith, I apologize for the mirrored snark in my response.

Now onto the specifics,

Originally posted by pleasegone:The original post implied that you couldn't find the movie.

I can see that interpretation. I should have specified "the major listings are gone," i.e., Universal has stopped supplying to iTunes and Amazon, the 2 biggest music retailers on earth.

Even more specifically, a month ago the listings were active on the iTunes Music Store, Amazon DVD (Amazon direct, not just resellers) and Amazon Instant, and recently all 3 of those major direct listings have been pulled.

It's merely the first step in a larger chain reaction... but it's still a CRITICAL step.

When Universal cuts off their supply chain, and the only copies left in existence are in clearance bins and reseller listings, then logically at some point in the future (be it a few months or years), you WON’T be able to find the movie.

That doesn't mean it's impossible to find in August 2014... but unless it gets re-released, at some point it will go the way of the dodo bird (which used to be available on Amazon, I have proof

), Hasta La Vista, Baby!, and the Star Wars Unaltered Theatrical Trilogy DVDs.

Just as a reference (prices accurate as of the time of this posting):

Star Wars Original DVD Trilogy, Unaltered Theatrical Versions
Amazon direct, $275.95 (4 left in stock)
13 new from $202.10 32 used from $79.97 2 collectible from $175.00
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trilogy-Widescreen-Theatrical-Edition/dp/B001EN71DG/

U2: Hasta La Vista, Baby!
eBay: $119.00 - $140.00 buy it now, 2 total listings
http://www.ebay.com/itm/U2-Hasta-La-Vista-Baby-Live-From-Mexico-City-CD-Rare-Fan-Club-/171315390207
http://www.ebay.com/itm/U2-Promo-Hasta-La-Vista-Baby-Live-From-Mexico-City-CD-Rare-Fan-Club-UK-HASTA-CD1-/201136842137

What I AM consciously, wholeheartedly implying (well, I guess now I'm just it stating it) is that:

1) Already, as of right now, people trying to give U2 a chance will almost certainly NOT stumble upon the Rattle And Hum movie and be exposed to it on their own (searching on iTunes, Amazon, Google, Spotify, Pandora, and probably even YouTube), unless a friend specifically tells them "you HAVE to see this."

That alone sucks for many reasons, not the least of which is that the R&H film is INCREDIBLY accessible to people who already know the basics of "U2 radio hit singles 101" but either still hate them, just don't "get" them, or think they're overrated and soft. In my opinion and experience, it's FAR more accessible to those sizable, "swing state" demographics than U218, The Best of 1980-1990, or even The Joshua Tree & Achtung Baby.

This is why I must strongly disagree with your statement that,

Originally posted by pleasegone:it's just not that important.

As you and others have stated, you CAN find bits and pieces here and there, IF you look hard enough, but to me that begs the question... Why should anyone HAVE to "look hard enough" in the first place, just to find and access (arguably) THE greatest, most powerful versions of:

*Where the Streets Have No Name
*Bad
*Sunday Bloody Sunday - Pride
*With or Without You
*Bullet the Blue Sky
*In God's Country
*Exit
*I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (the rehearsal in Harlem)

Why isn't U2 embracing, broadcasting, and celebrating this, and instead treating it like some sort of skeleton in their closet?

2) Eventually, once the physical and digital clearance bin inventory dwindles down, then even those who know about it and are actively looking for it, may not be able to find it (unless they are willing to shell out lots of $$, are proficient with VPNs & Torrents, or turn to Usenet, which costs money anyway).

Originally posted by pleasegone:The original poster also said we should rush out to buy what is left

The exact quote was,

Originally posted by u2met86:Go buy it on eBay NOW if you want it / need a spare copy.

Intended emphasis on "IF you want it / need a spare copy."

Most of us music enthusiasts have bucket lists of albums, live concert DVDs, etc., that we want to get to eventually.

Those bucket lists usually include landmark albums, and sometimes FULL catalogs of certain legendary artists. Because there's just no reason for those releases to go out of print, at least not in our lifetimes, there’s no particular urgency to buy any particular items on that list. We simply get to cherry-pick whatever we feel like buying next.

But now that R&H is being pulled from further circulation,

a) IF you’ve been meaning to check out the Rattle & Hum movie at some indefinite point in the future but haven't yet gotten around to it,

OR

b) IF you’re a Rattle & Hum diehard and you may need to replace your worn out copy,

THEN

Now would probably be a very good and logical time to stop putting if off and to go buy it.

So pleasegone, except on the degree of R&H's importance, I think we’re more in agreement than disagreement here.

Cheers

Buttons

10 years

I used to have a copy but I threw it out got old was vhs lol, I doubt U2 will go without a re-issue, probably when they retire

LikeASong

10 years

Wow Ed, you are really passionate about this. It's great to read well argumented posts every now and then

Clax1

8 years

Craig C here, I worked security for Rattle and Hum movie premiere on Blvd question: Does any body out their, have pictures from that nite?Please let me know, Thanks

drewhiggins

8 years