Since Freddie Mercury’s untimely passing in 1991, posthumous
releases from Queen have been consistent and plentiful. Queen Rock
Montreal isn’t exactly a new release. Originally titled We
Will Rock You, this concert film had its premiere at the Cannes Film
Festival in 1983, a lavish affair becoming of the band and its prodigious
lead singer. It was, by all accounts, the first film that caught the raw essence
of Queen’s live show — a mixture of cabaret-inspired, Vaudevillian
camp and balls-to-the-wall hard rock performed by four superb musicians. Almost
25 years later, a DVD of this film offers more than just a rudimentary glimpse
at one of rock’s greatest bands.
Queen Rock Montreal was originally shot in 35mm over the
course of two concerts on November 24 and 25, 1981. At the time, Queen was
completing one of their most successful North American tours behind The
Game. Mercury and company dig in deep with the album’s numerous
hits — “Play The Game,” “Save Me,” “Crazy
Little Thing Called Love” and “Another One Bites The Dust”
— mixed in with their classics from the 70s, like “Killer Queen,”
“Tie Your Mother Down” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The
group also unveiled “Under Pressure,” recorded with David Bowie,
and arguably the only highlight of 1982’s pop-infested Hot Space.
Consequently, this DVD is one of the final shows where the band collectively
blew the roof of the arena before succumbing to more austere, dance-oriented
posturing.
Digitally restored and mastered for DTS Surround, a special two-disc edition
also features tracks from Queen’s legendary performance at Live Aid,
along with previously unreleased rehearsal footage for the event and accompanying
interviews. Fans may rejoice in the specter of Broadway musicals and tributes
to the British quartet. Live At Wembley ’86 may have shown
fans the charisma and majestic sway of the band, even as their reign was nearing
its premature end. Queen Rock Montreal, however, shows Freddie
Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor at the peak of their powers,
when they truly were royalty of rock, purveyors of bombast and outrage, pop
chart mavens and heavy metal masters. Indeed, these were the days when Queen
and their audience uttered four simple words that would go on to permeate
the lexicon of pop culture: “We Will Rock You!”
~ Shawn Perry
