Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll

Rock 'n' roll legend Chuck Berry's 60th birthday party (October 18, 1986) in his home town of St. Louis forms the nucleus of Taylor Hackford's lively musical documentary. In addition to Berry, we are treated to interviews with Bo Diddley, Little Richard, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers, and comparative youngsters Eric Clapton, Linda Ronstadt, Keith Richards, and Bruce Springsteen. Whenever he goes on the radio interview circuit, Berry insists upon answering pre-set questions. A few moments into this film, it's easy to see why: Berry suffers neither fools nor unpleasant surprises very well at all. Once all the words are spent, however, we are left with blue-ribbon concert footage lensed at St. Louis' Fox theatre, showing off Berry at his indefatigable best. Highlights include such Berry standards as "Maybelline," "Johnny B. Goode," "Nadine," and "Roll Over Beethoven," as well as the contributions of the above-mentioned guest stars.

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Steve Futterman

In films from The Idolmaker (1980) to Ray (2004), director Taylor Hackford has displayed a special feel for capturing the energy and mystique of roots rock 'n' roll and R&B. Yet his most gripping musical feature may be his 1987 documentary, Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll. Using Berry ’s 60th birthday and an upcoming tribute concert in his hometown of St. Louis as his starting point, Hackford makes the most of his privileged access to delve into both the rollicking music and the equally ambiguous personality of this founding father of rock 'n' roll. And what a character he has to work with! Berry is an unabashed control freak who delights in making his supporting musicians, as well as Hackford, jump through hoops, keeping an iron grip on both his music and his privacy. Yet under Hackford’s penetrating gaze -- particularly during the grueling rehearsal period -- Berry reveals more than he intends to, and the results are gripping. With guests including Keith Richards (the concert’s long-suffering bandleader), Eric Clapton, Linda Ronstadt, Etta James, Robert Cray, and Berry’s indispensable collaborator, pianist Johnnie Johnson, the concert footage virtually explodes with joyful abandon. Hackford’s interlude interviews with such R&R legends as Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Everly Brothers, and a hilarious Bruce Springsteen, imparts a sense of true occasion to the film. Berry himself may not have welcomed the intruding gaze, but Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll nonetheless remains a fitting and fascinating testament to his musical and social importance.

Product Details

Release Date: 06/27/2006 UPC: 0014381308020 Original Release: 1987 Rating: PG Source: Image Entertainment Region Code: 1 Presentation: [Wide Screen] Sound: [Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround] Time: 2:00:00

Special Features

New introduction to the film by director Taylor Hackford; Theatrical trailer; More than 2 hours of bonus features

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock N' Roll
1. Chapter 1 [:00]
2. Chapter 2 [3:16]
3. Chapter 3 [9:16]
4. Chapter 4 [1:35]
5. Chapter 5 [7:36]
6. Chapter 6 [1:44]
7. Chapter 7 [3:24]
8. Chapter 8 [2:36]
9. Chapter 9 [6:30]
10. Chapter 10 [3:22]
11. Chapter 11 [3:39]
12. Chapter 12 [2:18]
13. Chapter 13 [2:46]
14. Chapter 14 [:55]
15. Chapter 15 [3:08]
16. Chapter 16 [2:45]
17. Chapter 17 [1:03]
18. Chapter 18 [4:09]
19. Chapter 19 [3:34]
20. Chapter 20 [3:23]
21. Chapter 21 [3:53]
22. Chapter 22 [3:50]
23. Chapter 23 [:53]
24. Chapter 24 [3:48]
25. Chapter 25 [4:04]
26. Chapter 26 [4:26]
27. Chapter 27 [4:33]
28. Chapter 28 [5:46]
29. Chapter 29 [2:27]
30. Chapter 30 [5:20]
31. Chapter 31 [4:14]
32. Chapter 32 [2:41]
33. Chapter 33 [1:39]
34. Chapter 34 [2:23]
35. Chapter 35 [2:58]
Disc #2 -- Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock N' Roll
1. Guitar Jam (Multi-Angle) - Chuck Berry, Keith Richards and Eric Clapton [7:32]
2. Mean Old World - Eric Clapton Solo, Johnnie Johnson Solo, Chuck Lavell Solo and Chuck Berry Vocals [11:20]
3. Understand Each Other - Eric Clapton and Chuck Berry [11:20]
4. Hoochie Coochie Gal - Etta James [11:20]
5. Standards Medley - Chuck Berry and Johnnie Johnson [11:20]

Disc #1 -- Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock N' Roll
Menu Group #1 with 35 chapter(s) covering 02:00:13
Disc #2 -- Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock N' Roll
The Reluctant Movie Star - The Bizarre Tales of the Making of "Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll"
Audio Set-Up
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dolby Stereo
DTS Digital Surround