| Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars | |
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&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Ziggy_Stardust_Motion_Picture.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | D. A. Pennebaker |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | Lorry Whitehead |
| Music by | David Bowie |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment[1] |
Release dates |
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Running time | 90 minutes[1] |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: The Motion Picture | ||||
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| Video by | ||||
| Released | 23 December 1983 (re-released 1998, 2003 and 2023) | |||
| Recorded | 3 July 1973 | |||
| Genre | Concert film | |||
| Length | 90 minutes 103 minutes (2023 release)[1] | |||
| Label | MGM, RCA/Columbia (1984 release) Image Entertainment (1998 re-release EMI/Virgin (2003 re-release) | |||
| Director | D. A. Pennebaker | |||
| David Bowie chronology | ||||
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Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (sometimes called Bowie 1973) is a 1979 British documentary/concert film by D. A. Pennebaker. It features English singer-songwriter David Bowie and his backing group the Spiders from Mars performing at the Hammersmith Odeon in London on 3 July 1973, the final date of his Ziggy Stardust Tour.[2] At this show, Bowie made the sudden surprise announcement that the show would be "the last show that we'll ever do", later understood to mean that he was retiring his Ziggy Stardust persona.[3][4]
The full-length 90-minute film spent years in post-production[5] before finally having its theatrical premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival on 31 August 1979.[6] Prior to the premiere, the 35 mm film had been shown in 16 mm format a few times, mostly in United States college towns.[5] A shortened 60-minute version was broadcast once in the USA on ABC-TV in October 1974.[2][7][8]
In 1983, the film was finally theatrically released worldwide, corresponding with the release of its soundtrack album entitled Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture.[7][9] The following year, in 1984, the film was released to home video under the title, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: The Motion Picture. It was first released on DVD in 1998.[7] A digitally remastered 30th Anniversary Edition DVD, including additional material from the live show and extras, was released in 2003.[2][5][10]
A 4K remaster, which re-incorporates Jeff Beck's performances, was released in July 2023.
- ^ a b c "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars". British Board of Film Classification. 18 October 1983. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ a b c "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars". phfilms.com. Pennebaker Hegedus Films. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
- ^ West, K. (19 January 2007). "The Retirement Gig". 5years.com. The Ziggy Stardust Companion. Archived from the original on 4 February 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ Jones, Dylan (2012). When Ziggy Played Guitar: David Bowie and Four Minutes That Shook the World. London: Preface Publishing. pp. 162–164. ISBN 978-1-84809-385-0.
- ^ a b c Hall, Phil (22 August 2002). "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars". filmthreat.com. Film Threat. Archived from the original on 21 November 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
- ^ Gibson, John (August 1979). "David Bowie Invited to Film Festival Premiere". Edinburgh Evening News.
- ^ a b c West, K. (18 January 2007). "Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture (Movie/Video/DVD)". 5years.com. The Ziggy Stardust Companion. Archived from the original on 4 February 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
- ^ "Superstar David Bowie will perform...". The Sun Telegram. San Bernardino County, California. 20 October 1974. p. TV Week–16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "93. New Yorker". New York. 30 January 1984. p. 63. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
- ^ CR (5 April 2003). "DVD Reviews: David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars — The Motion Picture". Billboard. New York City: John Kilcullen. p. 39. Retrieved 14 January 2016.