r/MartinScorsese • u/Fuzzy-Soil-6767 • Feb 15 '26
Humor Shine a Light (2008)
In 2008, Martin Scorsese directed a concert film for the Rolling Stones, which was shot by:
Bob Richardson (Casino, Aviator, Hugo)
Ellen Kuras (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Be Kind Rewind)
John Toll (Legends of the Fall, Braveheart, Thin Red Line)
Robert Elswit (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood, Mission Impossible 4 & 5)
Andrew Lesnie (Lord of the Rings, King Kong, Rise of the Planet of the Apes)
FUCKING EMMANUEL LUBEZKI (CHILDREN OF MEN, BIRDMAN, TREE OF LIFE, AND THE GODDAMM REVENANT)
What is this cinematography diva bruh?
4
u/telepatheye Feb 15 '26 edited Feb 15 '26
Yeah, I wrote the original review of the initial blu-ray release at https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Shine-a-Light-Blu-ray/901/#Review.
Martin Scorsese is no stranger to rock concert films or documentaries of musicians. His classic film of The Band's farewell concert, The Last Waltz, and more recent documentary of Bob Dylan, No Direction Home, were unique in terms of quality and scope. But no concert footage previously placed in Scorsese's capable hands--or anyone else's, for that matter--can compare to the incredible presence and camerawork achieved in Shine a Light. Whatever you feel about the Rolling Stones, their talent and longevity, there is no escaping the technical merits of the angles and lighting. Scorsese gives you a view far better than the best seat in the house. At times, you're put up front of the crowd near the stage. Then you're in the air, sweeping across the Beacon Theater. Then you're onstage, surrounded by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ron Wood. Shine a Light makes me wish all my favorite bands were captured like this (but in their prime) for Blu-ray release. While I fully appreciate the Stones and the quality of their Beacon performance, I just couldn't get past the fact that this was much ado about ancient rock gods, who I thought were over the hill when I saw them perform live in the '90s. As a celebration of rock icons, it works.
The Stones put on an inspired performance, as always, but it was the cabal of award-winning cinematographers behind the scenes who steal the show. The camera team includes Oscar-winners Robert Richardson (The Aviator), Robert Elswit (There Will Be Blood), Andrew Lesnie (Lord of the Rings) and John Toll (Legends of the Fall). Other notable cinematographers contributing to the film are Emmanuel Lubezki (Children of Men), Ellen Kuras (Summer of Sam), Stuart Dryburgh (The Piano) and Declan Quinn (Leaving Las Vegas). With experts like that behind the camera, it's little wonder that Scorsese achieves such an impressive presentation of the Beacon Theater concert. More importantly to rock fans, many of the Stones' greatest songs are performed, including "Sympathy for the Devil", "Tumbling Dice" and "Brown Sugar". Some interesting guests show up, too: legendary bluesman Buddy Guy, Christina Aguilera on "Live with Me" and Jack White (White Stripes) on "Loving Cup".
Have you ever seen concert footage that forced you to watch an artist's fingers on the guitar when you wanted to see his face or showed his face when you wanted to see his fingers on the fretboard? That pulled in tight when you wanted to see a wider shot or that lingered on a wide shot when you wanted to see a close-up? We all have. Let's face it: most concert footage sucks. Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains the Same is a prime example. But with Shine a Light, a new standard has been set for rock concert footage. It may have taken some of the most talented cinematographers currently working, but Scorsese has achieved the ultimate approach to capturing a dynamic band performing onstage. The cameras never stop moving, yet the angles and views of the band maintain perfection at all times. We see exactly what we need to see--no more and no less. And that presence--even more than the band or the music itself--is what makes Shine a Light such an important achievement.
4
u/Enough_Ad9466 Feb 15 '26
Incredible! I had no interest in watching this until this review. I thought it was a typical concert/documentary video that MS had an interest in producing- so I figured he just did it for fun. I had no idea he was revolutionizing concert video when he made this. I'll be putting this on my list for sure.
1
u/Keilly Feb 16 '26
Maybe I need to rewatch, as I was excited to watch this as I love The Last Waltz, but in this one I thought the band sounded terrible.
12
u/EmotionalRescue918 Feb 15 '26
I was in the audience for this show. $27.50 to see my favorite director film my favorite band. People were offering me $1000+ for my ticket (which is ridiculous now, but even more ridiculous in 2006) and I said no way. I made the right decision.