Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars

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Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars

PG

1983

1h 31m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

73%

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41 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Documentarian D.A. Pennebaker focuses his lens on a 1973 concert by David Bowie, who performs under the moniker Ziggy Stardust with his glam-rock backing band, the Spiders From Mars. While some backstage footage of the theatrical singer-songwriter is featured, the majority of the film is devoted to the music played onstage, which includes hits, album cuts and covers of Rolling Stones and Velvet Underground songs. Bowie also shocks fans by announcing his intention to drop the Stardust persona.

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

08/20/2021

The concert's the thing, and there we see this amazing phenomenon in full glory, prancing like some vaguely benign princeling at his hypnotised fellowers' behest.

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Gwilym Mumford

Guardian

03/02/2017

4/5

The moment where Bowie announces that this is "the last show that we'll ever do", to the screams and groans of the audience (most of whom assumed it was he, not Ziggy, who was retiring) remains utterly bracing.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

04/14/2016

It's not clear whether Pennebaker understands what it's about-he can only grope for a visual equivalent with cliched shots of overwhelmed fans.

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Alejandro Alemán

El Universal

04/08/2016

This document is a testament of the past, when things were done differently: The funny clothes, technical mishaps, AV effects and the fortunate non-existence of smartphones blocking the experience. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Alonso Díaz de la Vega

El Universal

04/06/2016

This film is a piece of cultural memorabilia that, more so than capturing a significant concert, recreates what being David Bowie was at that time, and above all, looking at him. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

02/22/2016

5/5

Indisputably one of the greatest concert films ever made, DA Pennebaker's striking work captures those last moments onstage in all their glory.

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01/11/2016

Saw this at the infamous Queen Theater back in the day.

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11/05/2015

Absolutely I love this film.

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04/13/2014

A landmark documentary about a landmark show.

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Grant S

@grantss 01/12/2014

Decent capture of David Bowie at his creative, flamboyant best. Good concert, and it's not all about Bowie. Mick Ronson's guitaring almost steals the show. Interesting behind-the-scenes footage adds a new, more personal, aspect to the live concert genre. Could have done with more of that though, as the behind-the-scenes stuff is fleeting, and sometimes seems token. Maybe some footage of practices and sound checks, or interviews with Bowie, would have been in order. Not perfect though. Production quality is quite raw and rough. Sound quality is variable. A must-see for all David Bowie fans.

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10/30/2013

I wish so hard i could have been there

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05/22/2013

Love the Cheongsam like robe Bowie is wearing in it

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D.A. Pennebaker

Director

David Bowie

Ziggy Stardust

Mick Ronson

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Why Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars Deserves Cult Status

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Synopsis

Documentarian D.A. Pennebaker focuses his lens on a 1973 concert by David Bowie, who performs under the moniker Ziggy Stardust with his glam-rock backing band, the Spiders From Mars. While some backstage footage of the theatrical singer-songwriter is featured, the majority of the film is devoted to the music played onstage, which includes hits, album cuts and covers of Rolling Stones and Velvet Underground songs. Bowie also shocks fans by announcing his intention to drop the Stardust persona.

Director: D.A. Pennebaker
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Mainman, Pennebaker Productions, Miramax Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1983, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 9, 2023
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 24, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $162.5K
Runtime: 1h 31m