Marc Bolan & T. Rex (2016) – Born To Boogie: The Motion Picture: BR
Born To Boogie: The Motion Picture was issued on Blu-ray by Edsel Records in 2016, bringing one of the most important visual documents of the glam rock era back into circulation. Originally released in 1972, the film captured Marc Bolan and T. Rex at the absolute height of their fame during the period often described as "T. Rextasy."
Directed by Ringo Starr, the film combined concert footage, specially staged sequences and behind-the-scenes material into a unique cinematic portrait of Marc Bolan and his band. Unlike a conventional concert film, Born To Boogie blended live performance, fantasy, humour and documentary-style footage, reflecting the creativity and larger-than-life image that surrounded T. Rex during the early 1970s..
By the time the film was made, T. Rex had become Britain's most successful rock act. The group had enjoyed an astonishing run of hit singles and albums, while Bolan had become one of the most recognisable figures in popular music. The film therefore serves not only as a concert document but also as a record of one of the defining cultural moments of the glam rock movement.
PRODUCTION
The film was directed by Ringo Starr and centred around T. Rex's famous Wembley Empire Pool concerts held on March 18, 1972.
In addition to the Wembley performances, the production included exclusive studio footage and specially staged sequences featuring Marc Bolan. One of the best-known sections of the film presents an informal jam session involving Marc Bolan, Ringo Starr and Elton John.
Rather than simply documenting a concert, the filmmakers attempted to capture the atmosphere, excitement and imagination surrounding T. Rex during their peak years. The result remains one of the most distinctive music films of the decade.
The 2016 Blu-ray edition restored the film in high definition and supplemented it with a substantial collection of bonus materials designed to provide additional historical context.
THE FILM
At its core, Born To Boogie functions as a celebration of Marc Bolan's extraordinary success during 1971 and 1972.
The Wembley Empire Pool performances show a band performing in front of thousands of devoted fans, with songs such as Jeepster, Hot Love, Telegram Sam and Get It On demonstrating why T. Rex became one of the most important British bands of the era.
The film's greatest strength is its ability to capture the atmosphere surrounding the group. The audience reaction, stage presentation and confidence of the performances preserve a moment when T. Rex stood at the very centre of British popular culture.
Interwoven with the concert footage are a variety of sequences that reflect Marc Bolan's playful and imaginative outlook. These sections help distinguish Born To Boogie from many other concert films released during the period.
VISUAL STYLE
The film embraces the colourful spectacle of glam rock and preserves many of the visual elements associated with Bolan's public image during the early 1970s.
Costumes, lighting and stage presentation all contribute to the film's distinctive appearance, while the Wembley footage captures the scale of the band's success.
The Blu-ray presentation allows viewers to appreciate details that were not always visible in earlier home-video editions, making the 2016 release particularly significant for collectors and long-time fans.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, performer
Steve Currie — bass
Bill Legend — drums
Mickey Finn — percussion
Ringo Starr — director
Elton John — featured performer
Mark Paytress — annotation
Keith Morris — photography
Jools Williamson — CD/Blu-ray issue design and scans
John Kosh — original graphic design
Phil Kinrade — mastering
PRODUCTION
Label: Edsel Records
Catalogue Number: EDSR 2502
Format: Blu-ray
Region: Region 0
Country: Europe
Released: 2016
Video Format: High Definition 1080p
Audio: DTS HD Stereo, Mono & 5.1
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Italian, German
LEGACY
More than fifty years after its original release, Born To Boogie remains one of the most important visual records of Marc Bolan's career.
The film captures a brief period when T. Rex dominated the British charts and helped define an entire musical movement. For many fans, it represents the definitive screen document of the classic T. Rex era.
Because relatively little professionally filmed concert footage exists from the band's peak years, Born To Boogie continues to occupy a unique position within the T. Rex archive.
The 2016 Blu-ray edition helped preserve that legacy by making the film available in high definition and expanding the original package with a range of supplementary material.
SPECIAL FEATURES
The 2016 Blu-ray edition includes a number of bonus features alongside the main film presentation.
These include:
• Original theatrical trailer.
• "The Premier" version.
• The complete Matinee Show.
• Telegram Sam 2016 promotional video.
• Newspaper cuttings gallery.
• Apple outtakes.
The additional content extends the running time considerably and offers further insight into the creation, promotion and historical significance of the project.
RELEASE HISTORY
Originally released in 1972.
Reissued by Edsel Records in Europe during 2016 as a Region 0 Blu-ray edition featuring the restored film and extensive bonus material.
The release formed part of a wider programme of T. Rex archival releases issued during the mid-2010s.
NOTES
• High-definition Blu-ray edition released in 2016.
• Directed by Ringo Starr.
• Documents the Wembley Empire Pool concerts of March 18, 1972.
• Includes the celebrated jam session featuring Marc Bolan, Ringo Starr and Elton John.
• Features both the main feature presentation and a substantial collection of bonus material.
• Includes previously unpublished photographs by Keith Morris.
• Contains annotations by Mark Paytress.
• Region 0 Blu-ray release.
• Packaged with restored artwork.
• Catalogue number: EDSR 2502.
• Barcode: 740155250232.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Cat No. | Date | Format |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Born To Boogie: The Motion Picture | Edsel Records | Europe | EDSR 2502 | 2016 | Blu-ray, Region 0 |
TRACKLIST / FEATURES TABLE
Format | Catalogue | Content |
Blu-ray | EDSR 2502 | Main Feature • Born To Boogie: The Motion Picture |
Blu-ray | EDSR 2502 | Extra Features • Original Theatrical Trailer • The Premier Version • The Matinee Show • Telegram Sam 2016 Promo Video • Newspaper Cuttings Gallery • Apple Outtakes |
Sources Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts.
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders.
This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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