Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12975 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-03-17
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Live, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 180 minutes

Amazon.co.uk
Compiled from McCartney's two concert tours of North America in 2002, Back in the U.S. is chiefly a "selective" biographical film of Macca on tour. Unlike the CD of the same name, which is made up of full-length versions of the songs performed on the tour, the DVD features only excerpts.

Presenting the legend and those around it in a somewhat superficial light, the film is as much a tribute to the Heather-reinvigorated McCartney as to his music. There's plenty of footage of the new Mrs McCartney accompanying Paul on his marathon of television and radio interviews; band and crew members pipe on about how much of an honour it is to work with McCartney; and fans' of all ages gush hysterically about how amazing it is to see the star perform live. After sitting through three hours of such material, you can't help wishing that something would go wrong.

The set-list includes Beatles favourites, tunes by Wings and selected numbers from McCartney's solo back catalogue. Realising the audience's obvious taste for nostalgia, the film mixes shots of the wild contemporary audience with footage of tearful, screaming fans from 40 years earlier. While the songs and audience reactions remain the same, the most touching moment of the film is when Macca performs his tributes to Lennon ("Here Today") and Harrison ("Something").

On The DVD: Back in the U.S. appears to break all DVD capacity records. As well as the main feature, there's plenty of extra behind-the-scenes material and bonus songs. While the picture quality is satisfactory, the three audio soundtracks (including DTS Surround) more than compensate for any visual shortcomings. Playing the disc on a DVD-ROM drive allows access to a secret Back In The U.S. Web site--one of the most comprehensive bonus Web sites ever. Highlights include additional soundcheck clips, outtakes, music promos and extended performances from the show. --John Galilee

Video Description
Concert Film - Described as a rock 'n' road movie, this unique DVD takes you on a three hour trip right inside the tour that has rocked America. Classic Beatles and Paul McCartney tracks including All My Loving, Band On The Run, Back In The USSR, Blackbird, Coming Up, Getting Better, Helllo Goodbye, Here, There and Everywhere, Hey Jude, Jet, Let Me Roll It, Let It Be, Maybe I'm Amazed. My Love, Something and many more.

Experience a front row seat for more than 30 songs - close up and all in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound

Synopsis
With over three hours of live and backstage footage, BACK IN THE U.S. is a comprehensive guide to life on tour with the ex-Beatle, Paul McCartney. Over 30 songs are featured, including "Eleanor Rigby," "Live And Let Die," "Blackbird," "The Long And Winding Road," "Mother Nature's Son," and many more!

Customer Reviews

Sir Paul rolls his heart across and to America.
Please,please me..? Yeah,yeah,yeah !! And you can please,please yourself immeasurably by buying this superb DVD archive of Sir Paul's sell-out 2002 US tour.
I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a music concert so much and I would consider this essential viewing and listening,not just for die-hard Beatles and "Macca" fans,but for anyone who is up for entertainment on a grand and damn near overwhelming fashion.

The indefatigable McCartney took to the road again at the age of 60 and with a cracking quartet of young musicians (love that "percussion power-house" of a drummer that is Abe Laboriel,JR.) belts out some fabulous new incarnations of Beatles and Wings classics.The set-list is astonishing when you simply read it through in black and white and fills you with renewed awe and appreciation of the great man's astounding legacy of lyrics.In fact,trying to isolate "highlights" from the concert is a futile exercise because there is not a dull moment throughout,and in nearly 3 hours of footage,that's an awful lot of moments ! If you were to twist my arm,though I would rave about the surging dynamism of "Back in the USSR,"Can't buy me love","Maybe I'm amazed","Band on the Run" and "Live and let Die".On the other more contemplative side of the coin we get intensely moving versions of "Here,there and everywhere","Something","My Love","Let it be" and the really touching tribute to John Lennon,"Here today".Also,there is a magical performance of "Blackbird" - a good candidate for my favourite song of all time- where Paul seizes his courage in both hands and sings it just to the accompaniment of his own acoustic guitar.Here,and throughout he is in fabulous voice and if that's what a vegetarian diet can do for a body,then pass me the spinach and squash !

The atmosphere of the concert is electric and as one used to the reactions of rather more reserved British audiences,I really found it delightful the way the American fans lost all their inhibitions and collectively sang,cried and danced themselves silly all the way through ! Fantastic to see that it wasn't just rows and rows of baby-boomers down there and that teenagers,children and near babes-in-arms made up a goodly proportion of the capacity crowds.Utterly sweet and charming it was to see a little girl of about 7 years old clapping along (and smiling from ear to ear !) to "All my loving".That song may have been written 40 years ago now,but that wee lassie provided ample and concrete proof that it's appeal is absolutely timeless and each generation that comes along will simply rediscover the immortal and intrinsic qualities of such songs for themselves.

I really enjoyed the back stage and behind the scenes clips that were interspersed between the songs and it gave me some great insights on exactly how such a mammoth undertaking as this tour can be transported from city to city with consummate professionalism and minimal loss of life and limb ! Great too to learn a little more about Heather Mills,who has done so much to bring Paul up and out of the deep,dark night of mourning for Linda.She seems like a really feisty North of England lass and if you were not aware that she had suffered an amputated leg after a horrific road accident,then you could never,ever tell,because she moves (and still looks) like the fashion model she once was.
One annoying thing about these clips though was the "unfinished" story of the young lady who was an evident "Macca-maniac".She tells us that she had just lost her job and had come down to the concert venue,even though she couldn't afford the price of admission.No doubt appearing on her idol's DVD is some considerable recompense in the end but we are never told if someone took pity on her and she actually got into the auditorium.I really and sincerely hope she did and if anyone out there can tell me the outcome,then I'd be most grateful,because the suspense is killing me !

As I type this review Sir Paul is currently taking Europe by storm with his "Back in the World" tour and I can't wait until he comes home to the UK so I can be a part of this tremendous experience in reality.In the meantime,all you folks out there can revel in the glorious "virtual reality" of this magical chronicle where one of the greatest musical figures of our time takes his big,booming,Beatle's heart and wheel-like,joyfully rolls it across and to America.

waste of money
I saw the concert and bought the dvd the next day.And what a bummer. No way to see a complete concert !...regular cuts with intervieuws and fans screaming how they love Paul etc..etc..
The makers of this release seemed to be more occupied to put Macca on a statue in order to be worshipped.
If it is so necessary to include fans,intervieuws etc...why not put them in the extra's or a second disc and let us enjoy a complete show without interruptions.
No...for such an artist...this dvd is a shame to release.
michael

This tour fully deserved the accolades.
This is McCartney at his best. He performs not only his greatest hits but includes many surprises. Having turned 60 he is not bouncing around the stage but he rocks like only McCartney can. The sound is crystal clear and the DVD has been very well produced - you feel like you are in the audience right at the front. His band is fresh, enthusiastic and extremely capable. McCartney has created a real strong bond and understanding with his musicians and you can see him looking in admiration several times. Watch out for the very poignant The Long And Winding Road where his emotions seem to get the better of him - only possible if he appreciated the contribution of his entire crew.
There is also a very interesting 'sub plot' showing the workings of a huge tour, and also showing McCartney in the build up to his concerts. I, personally, loved the soundcheck recordings, every one a gem. Overall a fabulous DVD that captures the music precisely, and makes you feel like you are part of the audience (in very good company, incidentally, with Jack Nicholson, Michael Douglas and many other celebs).