Glastonbury Fayre (film)

Last updated

Glastonbury Fayre
Glastonbury-Fayre-film-poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPeter Neal
Nicolas Roeg
Produced by David Puttnam
Sanford Lieberson
Starring
Production
companies
Colossal Pictures
Goodtimes Enterprises
Release date
May 1972
Running time
87 minutes
LanguageEnglish

Glastonbury Fayre is a documentary film about the 1971 Glastonbury Festival (then known as the Glastonbury Fayre) which took place on 20 to 24 June 1971 in rural Somerset in England. [1] Directed by Peter Neal and Nicolas Roeg, it was released in May 1972.

Contents

Production

Glastonbury Fayre was the first film about the Glastonbury Festival, which in 1971 was in its second year. It was photographed under the direction of Nicolas Roeg, and completed under the direction of Peter Neal. It was one of the first movies produced by David Puttnam.

The film is a mix of performances by musical artists such as Traffic, Fairport Convention, Melanie, Terry Reid, and Arthur Brown, along with extensive footage of the attendees dancing to the music, playing in drum circles, camping out, and otherwise enjoying the festival. It also includes part of a lecture given by Guru Maharaj Ji, referred to in the movie as "Maharishi". It does not feature any footage of David Bowie, who played at dawn, but he is on the soundtrack.

Home video releases

The film received a VHS release during the 1990s. A DVD of the film was released with the CD edition of the Akarma reissue of the album. A four-minute clip of the film is featured on the extras of the 2005 Glastonbury Anthems DVD. The movie was later released on DVD and Blu-ray as Glastonbury Fayre: 1971 – The True Spirit of Glastonbury. [2] It has also been made available on streaming services.

Album

A three-disc LP of performances from the festival, Glastonbury Fayre , was also released in 1972 and has since become a rare collectors' item. [3] However, it features no performances in common with the film. [4] It also includes some songs that were not recorded at the festival – for example, the Grateful Dead performing "Dark Star" at the Empire Pool in London on 8 April 1972. [5]

Critical reception

In 2009 Uncut said, "The live footage does include some dreck... but there are actually a few cracking musical performances: Terry Reid opens the film with an incendiary version of "Dean", while Traffic close it with a pulsating Brazilian-tinged "Gimme Some Lovin'". However, just as one can still idle away an enjoyable four days at Glasto without stepping anywhere near a music stage, the film captures how music has always been tangential to the Glastonbury Festival experience." [6]

In 2018 Inside Pulse wrote, "Because Glastonbury Fayre was not a cult hit like the other festival films, viewings have been rather tough over the decades. But this is an absorbing film of what a festival's like when you're not being crushed by hundreds of thousands of drunks. This is just a few thousand folks tripping out with room to roam. Roeg and his crew do get deep into the activities of the four days. They are willing to explore the various spiritual moments that took play with various religious leaders in between the songs. They get as good a view of the audience as the performers." [7]

In 2019 The Irish News said, "Impressive though the musical turns are... it's the trappings of Glastonbury Fayre that make it such an attractive viewing proposition in 2019. This is a barefooted step back into a more innocent and less cynical world and Roeg fashions an affectionate picture of sun-obsessed music lovers all seeking a little peace and tranquillity in a rapidly changing world." [8]

In 2020 The Spinning Image said, "Indeed, there are scenes of stark-naked hippies rolling around in said mud as if they were imitating what they had seen in the far more famous music documentary of Woodstock the previous year. The music was somewhat muddy-sounding too, but well-played enough to get the spirit of the tunes, ranging from Melanie belting out her anthem to the finale with Steve Winwood and Traffic getting the audience going in the darkness..." [9]

In 2021 Diabolique Magazine said, "Although Glastonbury Fayre does not feature all of the performers who participated onstage that year (notably headliners Joan Baez, Hawkwind, and a young David Bowie are missing), nonetheless it remains a fascinating record of a place in time.... As integral a part the musical performances are within the film, they are not the sole raison d’être for Glastonbury Fayre. Directors Nicolas Roeg and Peter Neal also focus on the intensely colourful sea of attendees." [10]

Music

The film includes performances from:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicolas Roeg</span> English film director and cinematographer (1928–2018)

Nicolas Jack Roeg was an English film director and cinematographer, best known for directing Performance (1970), Walkabout (1971), Don't Look Now (1973), The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), Bad Timing (1980) and The Witches (1990).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glastonbury Festival</span> Performing-arts festival in Somerset, England

Glastonbury Festival is a five-day festival of contemporary performing arts held near Pilton, Somerset, England in most summers. In addition to contemporary music, the festival hosts dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, and other arts. Leading pop and rock artists have headlined, alongside thousands of others appearing on smaller stages and performance areas. Films and albums have been recorded at the festival, and it receives extensive television and newspaper coverage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairport Convention</span> British folk rock group

Fairport Convention are an English folk rock band, formed in 1967 by guitarists Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol, bassist Ashley Hutchings and drummer Shaun Frater. They started out influenced by American folk rock, with a set list dominated by Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell songs and a sound that earned them the nickname "the British Jefferson Airplane". Vocalists Judy Dyble and Iain Matthews joined them before the recording of their self-titled debut in 1968; afterwards, Dyble was replaced by Sandy Denny, with Matthews later leaving during the recording of their third album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melanie (singer)</span> American singer (born 1947)

Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk, professionally known as Melanie or Melanie Safka, is an American singer-songwriter. She is best known for the 1971–72 global hit "Brand New Key", plus her 1970 version of "Ruby Tuesday", which was originally written and recorded by the Rolling Stones, her composition "What Have They Done to My Song Ma", and her 1970 international breakthrough hit "Lay Down ".

The Altamont Speedway Free Festival was a counterculture rock concert in the United States, held on Saturday, December 6, 1969, at the Altamont Speedway outside of Tracy, California. Approximately 300,000 attended the concert, and some anticipated that it would be a "Woodstock West". The Woodstock festival had been held in Bethel, New York, in mid-August, almost four months earlier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Reid</span> British musician

Terrance James Reid is an English rock vocalist and guitarist. He has performed with high-profile musicians, as a supporting act, session musician, and sideman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isle of Wight Festival</span> British music festival which takes place annually on the Isle of Wight in Newport, England

The Isle of Wight Festival is a British music festival which takes place annually in Newport on the Isle of Wight, England. It was originally a counterculture event held from 1968 to 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iain Matthews</span> English musician

Iain Matthews is an English musician and singer-songwriter. He was an original member of the British folk rock band Fairport Convention from 1967 to 1969 before leaving to form his own band, Matthews Southern Comfort, which had a UK number one in 1970 with Joni Mitchell's song "Woodstock". In 1979 his recording of Terence Boylan's "Shake It" reached No. 13 on the US charts.

<i>Dont Look Now</i> 1973 film by Nicolas Roeg

Don't Look Now is a 1973 English-language thriller film directed by Nicolas Roeg, adapted from the 1971 short story by Daphne du Maurier. Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland portray Laura and John Baxter, a married couple who travel to Venice following the recent accidental death of their daughter, after John accepts a commission to restore a church. They encounter two sisters, one of whom claims to be clairvoyant and informs them that their daughter is trying to contact them and warn them of danger. John at first dismisses their claims, but starts to experience mysterious sightings himself.

<i>Insignificance</i> (film) 1985 film by Nicolas Roeg

Insignificance is a 1985 British alternate history drama film directed by Nicolas Roeg, and starring Gary Busey, Michael Emil, Theresa Russell, Tony Curtis, and Will Sampson. Adapted by Terry Johnson from his 1982 play of the same name, the film follows four famous characters who converge in a New York City hotel one night in 1954: Joe DiMaggio, Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, and Joseph McCarthy—billed as The Ballplayer, The Professor, The Actress and The Senator, respectively.

Gryphon are an English progressive and medieval folk rock band formed in London in 1972. They are known for their medieval and Renaissance style of music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Family (band)</span> English rock band

Family were an English rock band, active from late 1966 to October 1973, and again since 2013 for a series of live shows. Their style has been characterised as progressive rock, as their sound often explored other genres, incorporating elements of styles such as folk, psychedelia, acid rock, jazz fusion, and rock and roll. The band achieved recognition in the United Kingdom through their albums, club and concert tours, and appearances at festivals.

<i>Glastonbury the Movie</i> 1996 film

Glastonbury the Movie is a 1996 documentary film about the Glastonbury Festival produced and directed by William Beaton, Robin Mahoney and Matthew Salkeld.

<i>Glastonbury</i> (film) 2006 British film

Glastonbury is a 2006 rockumentary film directed by Julien Temple which details the history of the Glastonbury Festival from 1970 to 2005. It is the third attempt to make a film about the festival. The film is made up of footage shot by Temple at the festival in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 as well as footage sent in by festival goers after a request on websites and newspapers for footage. Temple had initially only agreed to make a film of the 2002 festival after organiser Michael Eavis expressed concern that that would be the last year of the festival. Temple then realised that he wanted to make a film detailing the full history of the festival. The film also includes footage shot by Channel 4 and the BBC during their coverage of the festival since 1994.

<i>Glastonbury Anthems</i> 2005 British film

Glastonbury Anthems is a DVD featuring live performances from the Glastonbury Festival from 1994 to 2004. The performances on the DVD were voted for by fans on the official festival website. Extras include A Visit to the Glastonbury Greenfields, Glastonbury by Air, a 1995 interview with Michael and Jean Eavis, a photo gallery and footage from the 1971 film Glastonbury Fayre

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glastonbury Festival line-ups</span>

Glastonbury Festival is a greenfield music and performing arts festival on farm land near Pilton, England. It was first held in 1970 and has been held in the majority of years since then in the summer. Its line-up is diverse, including music, comedy, circus and theatre, taking place on many different stages and performance areas.

Glastonbury is a town in Somerset, England.

Mighty Baby were an English band formed in January 1969 by former members of the Action. They released two albums, Mighty Baby (1969) and A Jug of Love (1971).

<i>Crossfire Hurricane</i> 2012 film by Brett Morgen

Crossfire Hurricane is a 2012 documentary film about the Rolling Stones written and directed by Brett Morgen. The film chronicles the early years of the band through to 1981. The film is a series of interviews conducted without cameras, while showing various points of interest that the band is discussing as archival footage. The title of the film comes from the first line of the band's 1968 hit "Jumpin' Jack Flash".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deal for Life</span> 1990 single by John Waite

"Deal for Life" is a song by English musician John Waite, which was released in 1990 on the soundtrack to the Tom Cruise film Days of Thunder. The song was written by Martin Page and Bernie Taupin, and produced by Page and Ron Nevison.

References

  1. "1971". Glastonbury Festival. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  2. "The Glastonbury Festival 1971". UK Rock Festivals. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  3. Greene, Jo-Ann. "Glastonbury Fayre Festival". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  4. "Revelations: A Musical Anthology for Glastonbury Fayre". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  5. "(A Musical Anthology Of) Glastonbury Fayre". Grateful Dead Family Discography. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  6. Lewis, John (17 August 2009). "Glastonbury Fayre". Uncut. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  7. Corey, Joe (6 November 2018). "Blu-ray Review: Glastonbury Fayre & Melanie". Inside Pulse. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  8. McLean, Ralph (15 February 2019). "Cult Movie: Nic Roeg's Glastonbury Fayre a Fascinating Look at More Innocent Times". The Irish News. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  9. Clark, Graeme. "Glastonbury Fayre". The Spinning Image. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  10. Mangos, Anthony (29 March 2021). "Glastonbury Fayre: Music, Mysticism, Peace & Love". Diabolique Magazine. Retrieved 11 December 2021.