Down From the Mountain (2000)
Film:
DVD:

Directed by Nick Doob, Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker
Starring John Hartford, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch, The Fairfield Four

Features:

• Cast and crew information
  
• Trailer
  
• Production notes
  

Anamorphic: No.

My Advice: Own It.

In making the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the Brothers Coen managed to accomplish two things. First, they made a gorgeous film that was pretty to look at, had George Clooney finally acting for once in his career, and made a really strange and ill-advised version of The Odyssey. Second, with the soundtrack for the film, they caused a mini-sensation for bluegrass (a.k.a. "old time mountain style") music much like Buena Vista Social Club did for the music of Cuba. And with good reason. Unlike much of the whiny, repulsive songs of "modern country," these traditional songs, performed by actual musicians, are not only eminently pleasent to listen to, they're veritable wonders.

While the concert itself has amazing music, it's a bit disappointing that there isn't more to this DVD. It's obvious (or at least we hope it's obvious, if nothing else for the wallets of those who attended the original performance at the Ryman Auditorium) that songs and bits were cut from the film for time. Why aren't they included here? Part of the problem of the film by itself is that it's half-documentary, half-concert film, and neither half feels really fully formed and neither completely sates your thirst for what it provides. Why not package in a second disc with additional footage? No idea.

My other major problem with the film itself--namely its reluctance to identify any of the key players that we're going to spend ninety-eight minutes with--could have been easily dealt with here. Why not a running commentary track with Burnett, and the Brothers Coen? The stories about how they decided upon these particular artists for their film would be fascinating. Where did they first hear of these artists? Did any of them take convincing? That sort of thing. But there's nothing of the sort.

Now stand back and let me harp on this for a minute or two. This is a celebration of the music of the film, and yet-- only the filmmakers get bios? I was really looking forward to a discography of the musicians' work, maybe biographies on them--but all I get is a list? And why is Tim Blake Nelson listed as a musician when he didn't perform in the film at all? He was just there for ten seconds--and then again, we were never introduced to him, so most people probably wouldn't even have recognized him.

All my bitching aside, as you can tell from my review of the film itself, the music here is amazing and it's worth the price of admission. If you really like the music, I'd even tell you to go out and purchase this disc for your own. I just wish there had been more once the music was finished.