Waiting for the return to the big screen of “Pink Floyd at Pompeii-Mcmlxxii”, the historic film-concert that immortalizes the performance of the Italian band of 1971 in the Roman amphitheater of Pompeii, the restored video of “One of These Days” was published, with audio edited by Steven Wilson, leader of the Porcupine Tree.
Watch the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdok1hbk0si
The film, directed by Adrian Maben and originally released in 1972, will return to theaters from 24 to 30 April in a new restored version. The distribution will be curated by Trafalgar Releasing and Sony Music Vision, in selected cinema and in an international IMAX format. Tickets are already available in advance on the website www.pinkfloyd.film.
The film, now digitally remarked in 4K starting from the original 35mm film shot, has a completely renewed audio and remixed by Steven Wilson, returning new life to the performance of the legendary British band. This is the first historic rock performance set among the ancient ruins of Pompeii, an event that has marked a turning point in the musical and cinematographic imagination of the time.
The film shows the Pink Floyd performing in some classics of the pre-“Dark Side”, such as “Echoes”, “One of these days” and “Careful With That Axe, Eugene”, inside the Roman amphitheater of Pompeii, near the website of the famous volcanic eruption, as well as shooting in the studio while the band recorded its legendary album “The Dark Side of the Moon “.
The composer Steven Wilson, in charge of the audio remix, said: “Ever since my father was washing the brain as a child, making me listen to 'The Dark Side of the Moon' in Loop, the Pink Floyd have become my favorite band. They are my Beatles', deeply rooted in my musical DNA. The first time I saw Pompeii was in a blocked print in a local film. He made an incredible impression: a free and experimental rock music, played by four musicians who embodied the essence of intellectual coolness.
“Pink Floyd at Pompeii” precedes the release of the Floydian Kolossal “The Dark Side of the Moon”. The film documents the state of the English band just before becoming an icon of the international charts. Filmed in October 1971, he was the first live concert never made in Pompeii and includes essential songs such as “Echoes”, “A Saucerful of Secrets” and “One of These Days”. The extraordinary shots of the amphitheater, during the day and night, amplify the magic of the event.
The film also includes rare images behind the scenes of Pink Floyd while they started working on “The Dark Side of the Moon” in the Abbey Road Studios.
Speaking of the docu-film, Nick Mason said: “'Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii' is a rare and unique document of our band”.
The film was meticulously restored, a frame by frame, starting from the original negative in 35mm, found in five coils in the band's archives. This discovery brought to light the original images shot during those torrid days among the ruins of Pompeii, more than 50 years ago.
Guided by Lana Topham, director of the restoration for Pink Floyd, the team worked to preserve the integrity and beauty of the original film. The film has been digitized in 4K using advanced techniques to obtain maximum image quality. The colors have been improved and each frame has been meticulously revised and sheltered, maintaining a natural and vivid appearance with minimal interventions on the original parmesan.
The audio quality has also been extraordinarily improved with a new theatrical mix e Home Entertainment Made by Steven Wilson in 5.1 and Dolby Atmos, which enhances the depth and clarity of sound, respecting the authenticity and spirit of the original version of 1972. The goal of Wilson was to faithfully recreate the band's sound in those fiery days of 1971.
The album “Pink Floyd at Pompeii – McMLXXII” will be published for the first time as a complete live. The 2025 remix by Steven Wilson will be available from May 2 in CD formats, Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Audio and Dolby Atmos.
Pink Floyd at Pompeii – McMLXXII is presented by RM Productions and directed by Adrian Maben. Executive producers: Reiner Moritz and Michelle Arnaud. Distributed by Sony Music Vision.
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM