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This excellent documentary follows the Irish group U2 on their concert tour of the United States in support of their seventh album Joshua Tree. The politically involved rock quartet sets their sights ... read more read more...on American musical influences, previously ignored. They quickly immerse themselves in the musical culture with a recording session at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis. Four tracks were recorded that ended up on their next record appropriately called Rattle And Hum. Blues Legend B.B.King adds his vocals and guitar work to Love Comes To Town, and Angel Of Harlem is a passionate tribute to the late Billie Holiday. In addition to their original material, the band covers gems from The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Jimi Hendrix. Director Phil Joanou combines black-and-white with color photography to capture the band on and off the stage. Only the band's visit to Elvis Presley's Graceland seems out of context with the rest of the feature. Although the band's reverence for Elvis and his music is evident, they are merely tourists standing on the other side of a velvet rope. Spinal Tap had a more poignant visit to the king's palace, but Rattle And Hum is still one of the best musical documentaries of all time. Both the musical and political passion of U2 is evident in every frame. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Flixster Users

88% liked it

631 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

12 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Phil Joanou

Release Date: November 4, 1988

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DVD Release Date: November 23, 1999

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Stats: 73 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (73)

  • MeetMeinMontauk
    June 30, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    This is fabulous. Beautifully recorded. With or Without You and it's subtle amazing colors brings me to my knees every single time without fail. I love their commentary, love the renditions. I watch this on my iPod before bed quite often. Never fails to make me happy.
  • Tecnoandre
    February 19, 2011
    Tecnoandre
    I love U2.Since the 80īs till now they still original and good!This movie(made for theaters) was filmed by the great director Phil Joanou in part in glorious black and white, and in the end, some shots in colour, like a revelation.Not only a documentary of a tour, this movie take... read mores a snapshot of th Joshua Tree era.I
  • SDphotoggirl
    January 21, 2012
    SDphotoggirl
    I remember watching this film in the theater. Quite good concert film and about their kickass album The Joshua Tree.

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Critic Reviews

Michael A. Smith
December 14, 2006
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review

Among the best concert films ever.

Dan Lybarger
December 14, 2004
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online

Nicely shot if not terribly innovative concert film.

Collin Souter
January 24, 2004
Collin Souter, eFilmCritic.com

R&H exists as it does simply because U2 had “planned” too much ahead of time, the antithesis of spontaneity and the killjoy of documentary filmmaking. Full Review

Jon Niccum
September 26, 2003
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World

Unsatisfying, humorless documentary on the stalwart Irish band

Jeffrey M. Anderson
April 21, 2003
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner

Awfully preachy for a rock movie, but still has some great tunes.

Rob Vaux
July 26, 2002
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium

They're the biggest band in the world; you'd think they'd at least have something interesting to say.

December 3, 2008
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 8, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

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U2: Rattle and Hum Trivia

  • Who did the song Get Back in the bee gee's version of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and really helped perform it during the Beatles last concert (the rooftop concert U2 imitated in Rattle and Hum). He was also known as the 5th Beatle?   Answer »
  • In the U2 concert movie "Rattle and Hum" the band visits the grave of which rock legend?  Answer »
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