This VH-1 documentary probes the story of the Brothers Wilson, exploring the notorious tensions that lay behind those heavenly harmonies. You'll encounter Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson as well as Glen Campbell and Elvis Costello, and see clips of Surfin' U.S.A.; Little Deuce Coupe; Sloop John B , and more. The CD soundtrack is loaded with desirable rarities (most never released): demos for Breakaway and Heroes and Villains ; live rehearsals of God Only Knows and Good Vibrations , early versions, alternate takes and more!

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You really can't tell the whole story (1961-98) in just 2 hours, but still this is well documented. It includes some interesting insights from Elvis Costello (probably the best outside observances). One thing I wish they had mentioned (which they totally forgot) was the short-time membership of Ricky Fataar (who would later become a Rutle) and Blondie Chaplin (who sang lead on the Beach Boys' "Sail On Sailor"). It touches lightly on dubious characters like Van Dyke Parks (who did manage to contribute the surreal lyrics to "Heroes and Villians") and Eugene Landy (who helped Brian get well again but became codependent on Brian himself). But it's mostly about the music (Pet Sounds, Smile, Sunflower, Till I Die, Good Vibrations, Smile, and the surf and turf classics of 1961-65)! If you're a fan interested in their personal story, you'll like this documentary. I had to dock it 1 star because I think they talked too much about the Wilsons' infamous father Murray and Brian's health (Brian's Back indeed!).

And while you're at it, check out the CD of the same name (full of rarities and gems you won't find on any of the original albums)!

47 of 50 found the following review helpful:

Overstated harmony...Mar 29, 2002
By L Goodman-Malamuth "Leslie Goodman-Malamuth"
Worth watching for the rich array of audio/video clips and stories from throughout the years. The soundtrack, too, offers some little-known gems such as Dennis Wilson's "Barbara."

However, the group's interpersonal "harmony" was overstated from the beginning. In this video, the ever-grandstanding and odious Mike Love gets entirely too much time to thump himself on the back for his "positivity." Bear in mind that Mike Love was the band's principal mouthpiece for Capitol Records' desire that the Beach Boys not "f**k with the formula" by exploring the new dimensions, beyond summer and cars and girls, that Brian Wilson sought in "Pet Sounds" and the aborted "Smile" album, pressure that helped contribute to Brian's breakdown. Mike Love has been coasting on the Wilson brothers' collective genius for nearly forty years now... retire, Mike! (Wouldn't THAT be nice?)

I would have liked to have seen more about Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar and other sidesmen who played an integral part in BB history.

18 of 18 found the following review helpful:

The Story Of The Beach Boys In Their Own WordsDec 23, 2003
By Anthony Nasti "Tony"
After years of slipshod hits packages and 2 excellent boxed sets, Tje Beach Boys have finally sat down and talked two interviewers about their career an why they love what they do. It features interviews with all 6 Beach Boys (Brian included), as well as musical historians and their many associates.

This dvd paints an intimate portrait of America's Band. Brian Wilson is espcially good here, never showing his personal problems and giving mini performances of songs at the piano. Each Beach Boy gets equal screen time. You even might shed a tear when you realize that this documentary was the last public tv appearance by Carl Wilson, who died of lung cancer just months later.

The music is really good. The live performances are mostly just snippets, but also includes a heartwrenching montage of Carl performing "God Only Knows" and a Mike Love - driven "California Girls". Also featured are two Dennis Wilson ballads, "All Alone" and "Barbara".

I would highly recommend this dvd. However, I suggest that if you are a casual Beach Boys fan, you should wait until a little later to get this dvd, because while it's comprehensive & insightful, you ought to get the albums first. Happy Holidays.

Anthony Nasti

13 of 13 found the following review helpful:

Essential introduction to the world's greatest pop band.Aug 01, 2001
By darragh o'donoghue
If, like me, you are new to the mighty Beach Boys, than this is a pretty good introduction to the most (benevolently) influential group in rock history; although, being an official history, it is often more euphemistic than hard-hitting (an exception, the damning evidence of Murry Wilson's abusive managerial style, is already an established part of the myth; he obviously can't give his side of the story).

Full of fantastic footage (live and studio), weird promos (I particularly relished the forest film with Mike Love wandering as a despised tramp) and archival interviews, the documentary traces the band's strange path from clean-cut all-Americans to bloated beardies; from harmonious California mythologisers to barmy psychedelic adventurists ('Good Vibrations' was apparently influenced by Brian's mother's dog); from draft-dodging hippies to friends of the Reagans.

Celebrity cameos are kept to a merciful minimum, and the latterday interviews with surviving Beach Boys are incredibly revealing, especially those with Mike Love who, after all these years, sees the group's major work, 'Pet Sounds', 'Smile', 'Friends' et al, as a bit of an aberration. Dennis emerges as a bit of a silent hero, Carl as the band's sensible soul, and Brian...well, who can top 'the Mozart of rock and roll'? Plus hours and hours of endless harmony, the most exhilerating, most melancholy, most inventive, most yearning, most literally fantastic pop music you'll ever hear. (One complaint: the backroom goon who disses Phil Spector, aka the Shakespeare of pop).

13 of 13 found the following review helpful:

MemoriesMar 26, 2000
By Nancy Shears
This show really brought back memories. My only complaint was that there wasn't more emphasis on the concerts of the seventies. What a time to see the Beach Boys in person. Brian, Carl, Dennis, Allen, Bruce, and Mike were at a peak of perfection. I saw them on numerous occasions and and to date have never seen a comparable show. However, there was no mention of two temporary members of the band...Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin. If anyone saw the Beach Boys in the seventies, you would remember these two musicians, especially Blondie. His rendition of "Sail on Sailor" and "Funky Pretty" were absolutely unbelievable. What an increddible experience. Other than that omission, the show was exceptional and I applaud the work. In closing I wish to thank the Beach Boys for their music. They keep a smile on your face.(Rich Shears)

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