Bruce Springsteen Video Anthology 1978-2000 is a double DVD featuring 33 performances spanning 22 years of concerts, music videos, and television appearances by Springsteen. The two-hour collection represents a complete anthology of Bruce Springsteen videos, as well as rare or previously unreleased bonus performances. In all, 15 of the 33 clips on
Bruce Springsteen Video Anthology 1978-2000 did not appear on the original 1989 home video release of the Anthology. Some highlights include:
--"If I Should Fall Behind," a live concert performance by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Directed by Jonathan Demme, and filmed at Madison Square Garden in 2000 (previously unreleased).
--"Highway Patrolman," directed by Sean Penn (2000). Features footage from the motion picture The Indian Runner (previously unreleased).
--"Hungry Heart," a music video/performance filmed in Germany in 1995, and previously released only in Europe.
--Rare TV performances: "The Ghost of Tom Joad" from Bruce Springsteen's 1995 visit to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno; "Born in the U.S.A.," a solo acoustic performance from Springsteen's 1998 appearance on The Charlie Rose Show; "Secret Garden," an alternate version, with strings (previously unreleased).
Complete track listing:
Disc 1:
Rosalita (1978; directed by Arnold Levine), The River (1980; from "No Nukes" concert; directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza), Thunder Road (1980; from "No Nukes" concert; directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza); Atlantic City (1982; directed by Arnold Levine) Dancing in the Dark (1984; directed by Brian De Palma), Born in the U.S.A. (1984; directed by John Sayles), I'm on Fire (1985; directed by John Sayles), Glory Days (1985; directed by John Sayles), My Hometown (1985; directed by Arthur Rosato), War (1986; directed by Arthur Rosato), Fire (1986; rare acoustic performance from Neil Young's "Bridge Concert"), Born to Run (1987; directed by Arthur Rosato), Brilliant Disguise (1987; directed by Meiert Avis), Tunnel of Love (1987; directed by Meiert Avis), One Step Up (1988; directed by Meiert Avis), Tougher Than the Rest (1987; directed by Meiert Avis), Spare Parts (1988; directed by Carol Dodds), Born to Run (acoustic; 1988; directed by Meiert Avis).
Disc 2:
Human Touch (1992; directed by Meiert Avis), Better Days (1992; directed by Meiert Avis), 57 Channels (and Nothin' On) (1992; directed by Adam Bernstein), Leap of Faith (1992; directed by Meiert Avis), Streets of Philadelphia (1993; directed by Jonathan Demme and Ted Demme), Murder Incorporated (1995; directed by Jonathan Demme), Secret Garden (1995; directed by Peter Care), Hungry Heart (previously unreleased; 1995; produced and directed by "the Torpedo Twins" Rudi Dolezal & Hannes Rossacher), Dead Man Walkin' (1996; directed by Tim Robbins), The Ghost of Tom Joad (1996; directed by Arnold Levine, photographed by Pamela Springsteen), The Ghost of Tom Joad (1995; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno performance), Highway Patrolman (previously unreleased; 2000; directed by Sean Penn), If I Should Fall Behind (previously unreleased; 2000; directed by Jonathan Demme), Born in the U.S.A. (1998; The Charlie Rose Show solo acoustic performance), Secret Garden (previously unreleased; with strings; alternate version of the song). Call it Boss in a Box. This two-disc set of music videos and concert performances is a must for any Springsteen fan. While the 1989 VHS version contained just 18 songs, the expanded DVD set has 33 performances dating through 2000, including "The Ghost of Tom Joad," performed in 1995 on The Tonight Show, and an acoustic "Born in the U.S.A." from a 1998 appearance on The Charlie Rose Show. Most of the highlights are, not surprisingly, from Springsteen's electrifying concerts, including raw versions of "Rosalita" and "Thunder Road" from early in his career with the E Street Band. Also not to be missed: the 1987 performance of the harrowing "Tougher Than the Rest," shot with poignant close-ups of wife Patti Scialfa singing backup; the raspy, gospel- tinged "Leap of Faith"; and the barely contained smolder of "Fire." Most fans will find themselves wishing that this was strictly a concert DVD; the MTV videos from the Born in the U.S.A. years (the John Sayles-directed trilogy "Born in the U.S.A.," "I'm on Fire," and "Glory Days") seem too canned and glossy sandwiched in with the rougher, more exhilarating live performances. And Springsteen's tendency to get preachy in the late '90s ("Murder Incorporated," "Dead Man Walkin'") can grate as well. But until there's a full-length performance DVD, the Video Anthology will keep fans on their feet. --Anne Hurley
