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Post by voulez on Mar 18, 2022 22:15:58 GMT
Hi everyone - this is my first post.
I’ve always thought that The Movie was a creative disaster, with iconic footage and great live footage too: ABBA at their most iconic, hence clips used in the ISHFIY video.
There must be so much other footage that I wonder whether this could be used to make up a proper tour film - minus the acting and storyline and possibly with a modern edge such as some modern footage of the locations now, or audio commentary from the band now. Maybe Lasse could direct it and it could be a modern documentary specifically on ABBA in Australia (in high def). Maybe with his wisdom he could now come up with something a lot better.
I’m thinking something that uses all the available live footage + other bits not seen. It could also use nice bits from The Movie such as Agnetha talking about waking up and wondering what country she’s in.
Stylistically I think it would go well with the new tour.
What do people think?
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Post by abbafanie on Mar 19, 2022 0:37:17 GMT
I've always longed for a full ABBA concert in video format, similar to the 1979 Wembley live album we got in 2014. I think this year (45th) or 2027 (50 years) would be fantastic anniversaries to mark how significant their Australian tour was.
Ideally, I'd love a limited cinema re-release of the full live footage (remastered to HD/4K) accompanied by behind-the-scenes/retrospective tidbits from ABBA themselves. This would be joined by the live album of the full show and a DVD/Blu-ray release of the concert & extras.
I think this would be a way for ABBA to "reclaim" their movie in many ways, which has been tainted (and in many cases excluded from schedules) due to the disgraceful actions of the main actor. The sheer scale of Australian ABBA-mania, and how electric they were as live performers, should not be forgotten.
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Post by voulez on Mar 19, 2022 6:29:25 GMT
I completely agree with your ideas abbafannie - and thanks for responding. But, what do you mean about the ‘disgraceful actions of the main actor’? Do you mean Tom Oliver, or the bloke who played the journalist?
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Post by joseph on Mar 19, 2022 7:01:03 GMT
Great idea but I'm not sure how much extra footage there is. Legend has it that lots of film was damaged when rainwater seeped into the film cans. I think we all have an AꓭBA wishlist and near the top of mine would be a full Australian concert of them all during this time. They looked and sounded great and were at the height of their popularity down under.
Incidentally, it's the actor who plays the reporter in the film who is currently in prison on sex offense charges involving minors. I'm not even gonna use the creep's name.
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Post by voulez on Mar 19, 2022 7:34:00 GMT
Just did some research on the actor. A newly made tour-film would be a way to deprive him of royalties then.
As for rainwater damage: If the tapes still exist then there could be an algorithm that could fix it. I’ve heard that in the UK, in the early nineties, ITV were emptying their archives and literally throwing tapes in skips - but fans/collectors were retrieving things. It would really depend on when in the ABBA product-lifecycle it was damaged to determine the likelihood that it was salvaged.
Did Grundy produce the film? Will they have the tapes?
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Post by abbafanie on Mar 19, 2022 13:35:31 GMT
Interesting, I didn't know that story about the damaged footage - would be a huge shame, as ABBA in that era are my reference point really for the band at the peak of their powers.
On a semi-related note, it's interesting that the Voyage show keeps referring to the avatars as resembling ABBA from 1979 - when it's so clear that they are inspired by ABBA as they appeared in 1977 (including in the Movie). Is there a reluctance to say that they are modelled on 1977, as the 1979 tour (including the Wembley dates) is so often mentioned by the band?
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Post by Alan on Mar 19, 2022 16:28:30 GMT
…it's interesting that the Voyage show keeps referring to the avatars as resembling ABBA from 1979 - when it's so clear that they are inspired by ABBA as they appeared in 1977 (including in the Movie). Is there a reluctance to say that they are modelled on 1977, as the 1979 tour (including the Wembley dates) is so often mentioned by the band? I think somewhere the marketing people (who probably aren’t fans, and likely don’t care too much for accurate detail) got it mixed-up. And let’s face it, if they think people are going to get excited by the news of an old ABBA song getting a new lyric video, they clearly must think ABBA’s audience is stupid. They probably later realised their mistake but kept to the 1979 date to save face. The I Still Have Faith In You video is rather odd. You have footage of ABBA’s career (and before), but absolutely nothing after 1979. As though ABBA stopped after the Gimme Gimme Gimme video and the 1979 tour. This could also be where the 1977/1979 confusion started (assuming the video was made long before it was first shown to the world last September). Furthermore, in the video, there is the oddity of ABBA clearly preparing for a 1979 show and then, next scene, the ABBA Tars in different costumes with ABBA’s 1977 hairstyles. Whether we will witness the ABBA Tars with anything other than the 1977 look remains to be seen, but I would hazard a guess that, if songs like The Winner Takes It All and Lay All Your Love on Me are present, they won’t be with corresponding ABBA imagery from the time. ABBA 1977 may well be used all the way through. |
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Post by voulez on Mar 19, 2022 17:34:27 GMT
Yes, ABBA ‘77 will be used all the way through a bit like a tribute act getting Björn wrong regarding whether the song is pre, or post-beard. I think that year Agnetha and Frida looked their most amazing, but have always looked awesome with various looks and ages (and still).
There will doubtless be loads done with the ABBAtar data, in doing 1979 or even recreating the videos in hologram form. I will love it when I can have them in my living room when the hologram tech is there. You’ll be able to have a conversation with them once the AI tech gets involved - maybe having a jam with Benny on piano.
It would be great if at the very end of the show they’re standing together and suddenly age into their 70’s as the lights come back on.
They could appear in a soap, or film. Anything... :-)
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Post by abbafanie on Mar 19, 2022 20:10:02 GMT
The I Still Have Faith In You video is rather odd. You have footage of ABBA’s career (and before), but absolutely nothing after 1979. As though ABBA stopped after the Gimme Gimme Gimme video and the 1979 tour. This could also be where the 1977/1979 confusion started (assuming the video was made long before it was first shown to the world last September). Furthermore, in the video, there is the oddity of ABBA clearly preparing for a 1979 show and then, next scene, the ABBA Tars in different costumes with ABBA’s 1977 hairstyles.
Whether we will witness the ABBA Tars with anything other than the 1977 look remains to be seen, but I would hazard a guess that, if songs like The Winner Takes It All and Lay All Your Love on Me are present, they won’t be with corresponding ABBA imagery from the time. ABBA 1977 may well be used all the way through. I hadn't noticed the lack of anything post-1979 in the ISHFIY video until you just mentioned it - it is peculiar, as the 1980s did spawn two of their most recognisable hits along with countless other solid tracks. I think the 1977 hair/"look" will be maintained throughout the show, though styled differently (e.g. ponytails for the futuristic looks, classic for the turquoise and red looks) - so much to ponder! |
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Post by Michal on Mar 20, 2022 19:14:35 GMT
The complete 1977 concert on CD and/or DVD is probably No.1 on my wishlist. However, apart from the problems mentioned above there is obviously a problem with the audio tapes too. ABBA heavily overdubbed the tracks featured in ABBA The Movie but unfortunately only the parts that appeared in the film, which means there are songs such as Mamma Mia, SOS or When I Kissed The Teacher, where one part is overdubbed and the other not. There's never been a mention if the original un-overdubbed versions were kept intact.
When they were preparing the release of ABBA Live at Wembley double CD, Ludvig Andersson obviously listened to the Australian 1977 recordings too but he didn't deem them good enough. And Michael Tretow claimed they were quite bad, but we know how demanding he was, sound-wise, a good example being the live version of I Wonder, which he is ashamed of. I have always thought it is an amazing recording!
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Post by Alan on Mar 20, 2022 19:39:33 GMT
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Post by matt on Mar 21, 2022 20:23:35 GMT
There were a few outtakes from ABBA The Movie included in the ISHFIY video so interesting to know how much raw footage has survived:
The four members walking through Sydney airport and Benny smiling into the camera;
The four members walking off the plane after arriving in Perth;
Quick shot of Benny waving at Melbourne Town Hall;
Filming Eagle - showing it was filmed on 30 June 1977
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Post by angela on Mar 21, 2022 23:26:04 GMT
Yes Reg Grundy productions produced the film.
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Post by voulez on Mar 23, 2022 17:11:17 GMT
I’ve sent an email to Fremantle asking where the tapes are.
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Post by angela on Mar 23, 2022 23:59:24 GMT
I hope they still have them it would be nice to see a DVD of their 1977 concerts in full.
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Post by Liebezeit on Apr 6, 2022 18:27:33 GMT
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Post by Alan on Jun 2, 2022 7:03:28 GMT
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Post by voulez on Jul 22, 2022 21:54:26 GMT
Well I guess his bits will need editing out and re-recorded. Who would people want to play the part? I'd like Will Smith.
Or should it be a woman?
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Post by Alan on Jul 22, 2022 22:26:53 GMT
Well I guess his bits will need editing out and re-recorded. Who would people want to play the part? I'd like Will Smith. Or should it be a woman? Not necessarily. The film was shown on the TV in the UK not long ago (think it was Channel 5). The fact he’s not that well known here means that it slips under the radar. That BBC News report I posted a link to made no mention of ABBA. I wouldn’t want to see him replaced. Besides, absolutely no one outside his own circle was watching it because of him. |
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Post by iiwftn on Aug 31, 2023 11:07:16 GMT
You can clearly tell there’s a bit of post-production done on ABBA:The Movie when Frida throws the microphone way forward on ‘Why Did it Have to be Me’ but yet her voice is still carrying.
And no doubt there are many other examples where Mr Tretow has tided up after the fact. Therefore, there would be a lot more to do on this than just blowing the cobwebs off the spool.
But wouldn’t it be great if they did? Like many other fans, a ‘77 re-worked special is THE holy grail; ABBA in their finest pomp.
I’ve only ever seen ‘The Movie’ on You Tube. But in a couple of weeks from now, I’m going to enjoy it on big screen.
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Post by iiwftn on Sept 15, 2023 13:32:36 GMT
Only two days until The Movie on the big screen.
I am very much looking forward to seeing this, in such a setting.
You will be getting a full report after 🙂
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Post by Alan on Sept 17, 2023 18:16:08 GMT
Not long got back from it. I don’t want to give away too many spoilers but the behind-the-scenes footage was good if a little short. I don’t think I’d seen any of it before.
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Post by joseph on Sept 17, 2023 19:42:44 GMT
I've not long got back from seeing ABBA The Movie (fan event). It was certainly great to see it on the big screen again. I was the first one there and initially thought I'd have the cinema to myself! But it soon started filling up. I don't want to spoil it for anyone that's yet to go on Tuesday but of course I enjoyed it. I found the dj as annoying as ever.
I'm convinced there must be loads of footage sequestered somewhere and we'll only get to see it in drips and drabs. Oh well.
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Post by Alan on Sept 17, 2023 19:50:43 GMT
I'm convinced there must be loads of footage sequestered somewhere and we'll only get to see it in drips and drabs. Oh well. Apparently the rehearsal footage is shown at the museum. I haven’t been so wouldn’t know. I did go to the exhibition thing in London in around 2010 that was effectively a prototype of the museum, but can’t remember if it was screened there. |
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Post by matt on Sept 17, 2023 20:00:40 GMT
I'm guessing the extra footage is the same as this video without the dubbed music.
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Post by Michel on Sept 17, 2023 20:07:10 GMT
I went to The Movie fan event this afternoon as well. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the movie on the silver screen again. Seeing the movie at the cinema is far more impactful than watching it at home. Actually I was quite moved at certain moments. The 1977 tour was their best in my opinion. There was so much energy and joy in their performances. Compared to that, the 1979 tour was a bit muted, I feel, especially the first half of those concerts. I also liked the white and gold 1977 tour costumes much better. And both Frida and Agnetha were at their most beautiful in 1977. Good heavens, they were absolutely stunning!
If I'm not mistaken I've seen some of the rehearsal footage on The Movie DVD/Blu Ray but some of it is new.
After The Movie, three lyric videos were shown: Dancing Queen, Voulez-Vous and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!. I thought most people would leave at that point but everyone stayed. Some were even dancing and singing in the aisles.
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Post by Michel on Sept 17, 2023 20:11:45 GMT
I'm guessing the extra footage is the same as this video without the dubbed music. No, it was different footage. Some of it was Agnetha and Frida rehearsing a dance routine that I hadn't seen before. |
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Post by Alan on Sept 17, 2023 20:20:51 GMT
I hadn’t realised that the Gimme Gimme Gimme lyric video used the entire song, including the instrumental break. No additional footage, just bits from elsewhere in the video, but nevertheless unexpected. I didn’t pay much (if any) attention to the lyric videos when they were released, but the three here utilised enough of the original videos to make them interesting.
This tour really was the height of ABBA wasn’t it? It’s hardly surprising that the Voyage show has them looking pretty much as they did in this film. That they lasted another five years is an achievement. Somehow Agnetha’s second pregnancy followed by the marriage break-ups did change things. This movie, and the 1977 tour in general, is how they should be best-remembered (even if the songs were heavily over-dubbed in the studio afterwards).
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Post by Michel on Sept 17, 2023 20:33:44 GMT
This tour really was the height of ABBA wasn’t it? It’s hardly surprising that the Voyage show has them looking pretty much as they did in this film. That they lasted another five years is an achievement. Somehow Agnetha’s second pregnancy followed by the marriage break-ups did change things. This movie, and the 1977 tour in general, is how they should be best-remembered (even if the songs were heavily over-dubbed in the studio afterwards). It's puzzling that it was stated several times (and maintained) that ABBA Voyage was based on how they looked in 1979 when it's clearly (and luckily) 1977. They were at their visual peak in that year, as far as I'm concerned. The live tracks were indeed overdubbed for The Movie but they sound great and full of energy. Dancing Queen live in Australia sounds particularly good with the added strings. |
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Post by Alan on Sept 17, 2023 20:48:47 GMT
The live tracks were indeed overdubbed for The Movie but they sound great and full of energy. Dancing Queen live in Australia sounds particularly good with the added strings. Top of the list of possibilities for next year would definitely be a live album of what’s in The Movie, overdubs and all. Many of the songs sound better than the original studio recordings. I would imagine that nothing else was overdubbed except exactly what’s in the film, though this would at least include anything where dialogue is spoken over it. As ABBA were making The Album at the time, as well as filming additional scenes for The Movie, it’s unlikely that overdubs were done for anything else. I imagine Lasse Hallström presented them with the finished film, to which they added the overdubs. Even if that’s all there is, I’d settle for that on an audio release. Not sure I’d want a true audio release of a 1977 concert. It’s believed to exist, for a Royal Albert Hall show, but I’m so used to how they sound in The Movie that it would probably be a disappointment! |
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