Why So Blu?

Queen: Days of Our Lives (Blu-ray Review)

It’s always somewhat of a special event when we are graced by anything Queen related  on Blu-ray. If there was anything made for the Blu-ray format it would be Queen’s music and Freddie Mercury’s Godlike vocals. Eagle Rock Entertainment has brought Queen: Days of Our Lives to the Blu-ray format, which was originally broadcast by the BBC. The Queen:Days of Our Lives compilation follows the chaps from their humble beginnings, successes, tragedies, to the present. I will advise that you all should hold on tight, because it’s gonna be a rock ‘n roll roller coaster of a whirlwind ride! As it should be. 😉  

 

Film 

Queen: Days of Our Lives is the latest and can possibly be called the definitive Queen story told from the remaining members of the band. The documentary features brand new and never-before-seen footage of the legendary band from their humble beginnings in the UK, in other bands, to the juggernaut that Queen became.

Queen is: Freddie Mercury (vocals), Brian May (Guitar), Roger Taylor (drums), and John Deacon (bass). Days of Our Lives traces the legendary band to the university where the lads were undergrad students, but all had a love of music. This love would bring them together, and the rest, as they say, is history. Days of Our Lives chronicles their journey starting around 1970. There would be trial and tribulations, and some would make it and some would not.

Queen happens to be one of my favorite bands of all time. The audio cassette of their Magic Live tour was technically my first Queen album purchase and I would not stop in collecting their entire catalog. What I really enjoyed about the Days of Our Lives Blu-ray is that it seems to be an honest retrospect by the people being interviewed. Brian May and Roger Taylor speak their minds and reminisce about the good times and bad times. Former producers, roadies, managers, journalists, etc., all tell their tales of being in the Queen machine.

It does get a bit on the extremely sad side towards the end when the documentary focuses on Freddie’s fight with AIDS, but it’s done with class and tactfulness. Queen: Days of Our Lives runs about 2 hours and the documentary is split into two parts, but you have the option of viewing it all the way through. The special features themselves run an extra two hours.

I do wish that the documentary ran a bit longer than two hours, because there’s so much more to tell, but the way it it’s presented seals the deal for me as a fan. I’m sure it will seal the deal for even the most devoted of fans.

 

Video 

Queen: Days of Our Lives is presented in 1080i – 16X9. This one is a curious presentation, because it is presented in HD (AVC), but I would say that 80% of the material is sourced from archived material. The other 20% of the material is newer and contemporary and it looks great. Flesh tones look nice and natural, but do blush on occasion in the cold London air.  I would say that the archived material has never looked better in high definition, though. It’s legit.

Audio 

Queen: Days of Our Lives is presented in LPCM 2.0 at 1.5 mbps. This is where it the sound drops the ball slightly. I would have preferred a full lossless 5.1 soundtrack, but then I have to remember that this isn’t a concert presentation, it’s still a documentary, so I understand. As a documentary, the 2.0 track is more than adequate. I’m sure all future Queen concert releases will be released in full lossless.  *crosses fingers*

Special Features 

Yes, your eyes do not deceive you – it’s a perfect five star for the special features. The gist of the special features contents are as follows: 7 brand new videos, 12 additional sequences, and 10 unseen interviews. Sure, on the surface they might seem superficial, but this is all quality stuff.

Additional Videos

Seven Seas of Rhye

Killer Queen

Somebody To Love

We Are The Champions

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Under Pressure

Radio Ga Ga

Additional Sequences

Queen: The Beginning

Queen On Tour 1974-5

Bohemian Rhapsody

Working Together

Leaving John Reid 1978

Don’t Stop Me Now

Flash Gordon

Making Video

Scrabble Wars

From Magic To The Miracle 1986-89

Going Slightly Mad: Making Innuendo 1990-91

Made In Heaven – 1995

Bonus Interviews

Return To Imperial College

Brian’s Health Scare 1974

Manager Jim Beach Meets The Band 1975

B-Sides

Freddies’s Outfits

Another One Bites The Dust

Song Writing Balance Changes 1980’s

Freddie Legless!

Highlander

The Show Must Go On

Final Thoughts 

Queen: Days of Our Lives is a great documentary that sheds light on one of the most legendary and popular bands of all time.The Blu-ray has adequate specs, but the special features make it a force to be reckoned with. Content and special features combined, Days of Our Lives clocks in at a whopping 221 minutes, so that unto itself is a major feat. I hope that Eagle Rock Entertainment, or whoever, releases more of their concerts and their videos on the Blu-ray format sooner than later.

 

 

Order Queen: Days of Our Lives on Blu-ray!