At the time of writing, this film is almost 20 years old. When I first watched it I was a half U2 fan, a U1 if you will. Joshua tree was one of my favourite CDs, but despite being a frequent listener of the earlier stuff, I'd remained unhooked. But after seeing Rattle and Hum I was almost literally breathless. It became one of a small handful of VHS music videos that I made the effort to take with me as I moved through life.

When I discovered the concept of digital movies, it was the first tape I digitised so I could watch it on my computer, and when video CD came along, I bought that too because the quality was much better than my amateur 'rip'. Naturally when DVD came along I had to have the quality offered by that too. And when I got my first portable video player, well Rattle & h Hum was the first DVD I ripped so I could play it on that (although Pink Floyds pulse had become it's constant companion too).

Today, I took delivery of my iPod Touch, and, sad bastard that I am, Rattle and Hum is the first movie I'm watching on it.

Why is it I love this film when the music press and the band itself seem to dis this film? I once read an article that suggested the band almost split after the release of the film. Instead they went off and regrouped into their post Achtung baby period. Better they had split and then reformed once whatever itch was out of their system, I think. I still hope they still will.

I love this film because it presents the band a their absolute peak. Every inch of concert footage is tight. Bono sounds amazing, much better than I ever saw him. The Edge soars, Larry beats perfect time, while Adam holds everything together. If that isn't enough, the photography is stunning. There is not a single scene in the whole film that would benefit from a different point of view, lighting setup or depth of field (except perhaps the Bono scene 31 minutes in where he tries his hand at graffiti backed by watchtower, personally I'd have made that blurred I think). The visuals are completely stunning and reinforce the bands stature already perfectly presented by just enough short of perfect performance.

If I last another 20 years, I'm confident this film will make the Journey with me.

I have been a U2 fan since the days of "Boy" and "October". I was very excited to see this movie about the band when it first came out but after viewing it I left the theatre feeling strangely flat. And wishing I had seen alot more.

The footage was different then what I was expecting and maybe I just had different expectations of what I was seeing. The film, in my eyes, lacked depth. I wanted to hear about the band themselves but U2 the band came across as almost feeling a little awkward-that was my interpretation anyway. I had no problem with the black and white footage, that sort of reinforces the band's haunting brooding qualities anyway, but the movie didn't TELL me anything and thats what I was looking for.

The best CONCERT footage of U2 I've ever seen is U2 at The Red Rocks which blew me away and which I guerentee the same response from any fan who may not have seen that. Rattle and Hum wasn't a bad effort, I had no problem sitting through it and staying focused. After all it was about a talented and brillient group of individuals. But the film lacked the soul I was looking for. I wouldn't call this truely great. It didn't give me the feeling I knew anything more of U2 the people and likewise didn't give me any musical enrichment I hadn't already gotton TRIPLE from watching U2 at Red Rocks. I'd give this 6.5 of 10.

An outstanding documentary/concert film detailing the irish rock band U2 on a tour..of course the band plays their greatest hits and some other known songs, including a duet with blues great BB king..

Great cinematography and the black and white usage makes it all that much better.

A must see for any U2 fan.. On a scale of one to ten.. 8