Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987) Reviews

Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987)
Member Rating:  
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. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, (more)
Director(s):
Taylor Hackford
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(7 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Bob B.

Disc 2 - A look backstage into the real Chuck Berry. Very Good.

Yes   |   No


DEMETRA Khamaali R.

Great look into the person, not the image. Enjoyed the music as always.

Yes   |   No


Donald P.

This is a great concert movie which I saw 1987. It lost none of its punch. It was great to see him with a band of musicians who revered him. The jam sessions and interviews with his peers and a younger generation are all engaging. If you love rock n'roll this is must see film.

Yes   |   No


Ann B.

Stop sending me the same movies over & over. I just sent back this Chuck Berry DVd, & you notify me that it's being sent to me AGAIN this week. This isn't the 1st time, & if it happens again, I'm cancelling my membership.

Yes   |   No


DELORES S.

You get a whole new look at Chuck Berry if you didn't know him already. He's a real piece of work. The story about the visit to the prison and his constant demand for money makes you want kick in the seat of his pants. And for him to think someone back in the 80's would pay $30,000 for his cars (nothing was special about them) is ludicrous. No one would pay that now for his cars. Despite what I found out about Chuck Berry, I thought this documentary was thoroughly enjoyable. He's a part of rock and roll history. The interviews with the other legends on the last disc was great except for Jerry Lee Lewis. He's a blithering idiot. He didn't give one straight answer and constantly tried to make every answer funny. Maybe he wasn't used to being interviewed and tried to make himself appear interesting. He wasn't. You do not have to be a Chuck Berry fan to enjoy this documentary.

Yes   |   No


Mark B.

Keith and Chuck matching wits........priceless!

Yes   |   No


Steve H.

This is a good basic history on one of the founders of Rock n' roll. It shows Chuck as he is, a kind of ornery, opinionated guy, which if you weren't given your due, you might be also. The origination of rock can't be fully conveyed in one movie about one guy, it needs a series, but this is a decent start, espcially if you know little about Chuck or his place in history. I know from personal experience he is a testy performer - I saw him in Seattle in the late 80's. He had the band Heart as his local backup. During the performance, Chuck must have thought the bass player wasn't engaged enough, 'cause in the middle of a song Chuck walked over and unplugged the bass players' guitar and kicked him off the stage! The movie concert scenes are ok - dated but ok. The point of the movie is the man, not the concert.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (7)
     
    Bob B.

    Disc 2 - A look backstage into the real Chuck Berry. Very Good.

    Yes   |   No

     
    DEMETRA Khamaali R.

    Great look into the person, not the image. Enjoyed the music as always.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Donald P.

    This is a great concert movie which I saw 1987. It lost none of its punch. It was great to see him with a band of musicians who revered him. The jam sessions and interviews with his peers and a younger generation are all engaging. If you love rock n'roll this is must see film.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 7 Reviews
       

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