Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: London Calling Live in Hyde Park

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: London Calling Live in Hyde Park is a spellbinding concert film showcasing the legendary Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's unforgettable performance at the renowned Hyde Park in London back in 2009. The film was directed by music documentary maestro Thom Zimny and released on Blu Ray and DVD in 2010 by Columbia Records. Combining Zimny's exceptional directorial prowess and the immense musical talents of Springsteen and his bandmate, this live concert film presents a goosebump inducing experience that goes beyond just music.

The concert film encapsulates the magnetism, energy, and exhilarity of a live Springsteen show. From the opening track "London Calling," a cover of The Clash's punk anthem, the Boss' charismatic stage presence and the electrifying synchronization of the E Street Band captivates you. The film captures Springsteen's seemingly endless vitality, the poignant moments of silent crowd reflection, and the sea of faces lit up in ecstasy.

The concert, which was part of the Hard Rock Calling festival, lasted for over three hours and featured 27 tracks that spanned across Springsteen's illustrious career. Each song featured in this film is delivered with an intensity and emotional rawness that showcased why Springsteen is often hailed as one of the greatest performers in rock history. With a perfect blend of classics, reinvented covers, new releases and eclectic rarities, the set list offered something for both devoted fans and newcomers alike.

A particular highlight was the inclusion of the entirety of Springsteen's classic album 'Born To Run' being performed in sequence. Few moments in rock history capture the collaboratively seamless symbiosis between an artist and his band like the rendition of the groundbreaking album. Yet, true to form, Springsteen and the E Street Band didn’t just stick to the familiar but also branched out, conferring a whole new dimension to their extensive discography coupling the raw essence of their studio work with a twist in live performances.

Notably, this film also encompasses one of the last performances by Clarence Clemons, Springsteen's saxophonist, friend, and right-hand man, who passed away in 2011. His robust saxophone solos and the wholesome connection between him and Springsteen wonderfully captured in this feature leave an indelible mark on the viewer.

Beyond the music, the cinematography of the film deserves special mention. Shot in High Definition, the picturesque background of Hyde Park, the sweeping panoramic views of the audience, the intimate close-ups bringing out the raw emotions on the artists' faces - every shot amplifies the overall holistic experience of the film. The elements of nature – the rain gently falling through the crescendo of ‘Jungleland’, the sun setting while Bruce howls through ‘The Rising,' the night sky of London adding to the mystique of 'Jungleland' – pervade the entire film, making the performance feel almost elemental.

Added to this, the film also includes candid shots of the audience - from excited fans singing along, shedding tears during the emotive ballads, to energetic youngsters on their parents' shoulder - it amplifies the sense of communal celebration that is inherent in a Springsteen concert.

Further honing in the experience, the bonus features of the film offer a unique inside look at the concert’s evolution. It includes footage of the band members discussing the song selections and their insights about performing in Hyde Park.

At a stretch of 172 minutes, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: London Calling Live in Hyde Park is a fantastic musical journey that celebrates both the endurance and evolution of Springsteen and his band. It brings the unmatchable thrill of a live concert right into your living room.

Whether you are a lifelong lover of Bruce Springsteen's music or a new fan intrigued by his legacy, this film allows you a front-row experience of his electrifying persona, an honest depiction of his songwriting prowess and the stirring rendition by the E Street Band in one of the world's most iconic venues. This release once again reaffirms Springsteen's well-known epithet; indeed, he is 'The Boss'.