The Bee Gees Movies

For good or ill, few pop groups have had a career as interesting as the Bee Gees; they rose to popularity in the 1960s, fell out of favor, became more popular than ever in the late '70s, and became remarkably unfashionable a few years later, only to enjoy yet another career resurgence in the 1990s. Bee Gees: Keppel Road -- The Life and Music of the Bee Gees is a feature-length documentary (created with the Bee Gees' participation) that follows the Brothers Gibb -- Barry, Robin, and Maurice -- from their early childhood in England to their rise to superstardom in Australia, and the convoluted career path that eventually led them to their induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Along with interviews with the three members of the group and a wealth of vintage footage, Keppel Road -- The Life and Music of the Bee Gees also features a number of new live performances staged specifically for this film. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Bee Gees: One for All Tour Vol. 1 showcases more than 20 years of the band's hits. The concert tape provides an up-close viewing of the musician brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. It was recorded in Melbourne, Australia, in November 1989. Experience the Beatles-esque sounds of this group, considered one of the most accomplished bands of the 1960s. Volume one of the two-part set features "Lonely Days," "This Is Your Life," "Ordinary Lives," "To Love Somebody," "I've Gotta Get a Message to You," "Tokyo Nights," "Words," and others. Relive the electrifying magic of these pop icons. ~ Sally Barber, Rovi

Director Sylvester Stallone proves you really can't go home again in Staying Alive, the absurd sequel to Saturday Night Fever. The story finds Tony Manero (Travolta) six years later working as a waiter in a nightclub while he tries to realize his dreams of dancing on Broadway (what tough street kid from Brooklyn doesn't?) He eventually makes the cut as an extra for "Satan's Alley" (billed as "a musical trip through Hell") and immediately sets his sights on the show's snooty prima-donna star (Finola Hughes, decidedly unsuited for such dancing as her role requires). Meanwhile, the nice girl he's been seeing (Cynthia Rhodes) stands by her man, waiting patiently for him to come around. When the male lead can't cut it, Tony is offered the part, and tensions rise. The action culminates in the show itself and Tony's ultimate realization that he needs to please only himself. Indeed, the horrific dancing combined with Frank Stallone's inane musical score makes one wonder just how accurate the show's billing of "a musical trip through Hell" actually is. As long as one disassociates this film from its predecessor, Staying Alive is highly enjoyable for its schlock value; it may well be an inadvertent camp classic for Travolta's sweaty thongs alone. As for Stallone's direction and screenwriting abilities, he proves he is better off to remain an underdog prize-fighter/ commie-killer/mercenary cop/ double-fisted union leader/etc... ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

John Travolta graduated from minor celebrity to superstar with Saturday Night Fever. Travolta plays Tony Manero, a Brooklyn paint-store clerk who'd give anything to break out of his dead-end existence. In life, Tony is a peasant; on the disco dance floor, he's a king. As the soundtrack plays one Bee Gees hit after another (including "Stayin' Alive"), we watch white-suited Tony strut his stuff amidst flashing lights and sweaty, undulating bodies. Tony's class aspirations are mirrored in his relationship with his dance partner, Stephanie (Karen Lynn Gorney), a secretary eager to move into the glamorous world of Manhattan. Saturday Night Fever's huge success grew meteorically thanks to the towering popularity of its soundtrack; during the first half of 1978, when the movie's disco songs saturated the singles charts up to four at a time, it was no longer clear whether the hit movie was feeding the hit songs or the hit songs were feeding the hit movie. This crossover between music and movies set the pace for many movies to come, as it also marked the rise and fall of 1970s disco culture. Two versions of this film exist: the original R-rated version and a PG version, edited down to more "family-friendly" fare and fed to the public with the tagline, "Because we want everyone to see John Travolta's performance." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

An excellent musical score by the Bee Gees adds appeal to this curious little movie about two ten-year olds, Daniel and Melody (Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde) who are completely taken with each other and announce to their parents, in all seriousness, that they plan to get married. This marriage is not planned for the distant future, but as soon as possible. The uproar that is caused when their seriousness becomes clear is not too surprising. Their best friend Ornshaw (Jack Wild) is not too thrilled with their plan either. What makes the film work is that the entire story is told from the children's point of view in which the grownups' objections, since they have no relation to the truth of what the children are feeling, come across as silly or inconsequential. This film is a reunion of sorts for Oscar-winning Oliver! co-stars Mark Lester and Jack Wild ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi