The Smiths: The Complete Picture (1992 Video) User Reviews

the unseen eighties

[pope_innocentyears · 7 November 2003]

the smiths were one of my favorite british bands (next to suede, followed by the manics and blur), and the video 'the complete picture' perfectly captured the flavor and imagery of the smiths and their songs.

the dvd version contains 12 songs including 'the queen is dead' and 'there is a light...' in a derek jarman short film (which they say was a prophetic foretelling of princess diana's death), and the classics 'this charming man' and the boy with the thorn in his side.' the contents of the video will be enough for a true smiths fan, but it is not enough for people who want more. there are beautiful songs such as 'please please please...' and 'hand in glove' which are not in this compilation but are worth listening.

all in all, the video is a great addition to any smiths collector's memorabilia, but it lacks.

The Greatest Band of them all!!!!!

[smiths-4 · 10/10 · 10 December 2002]

Where do i start? I could just quote you Smiths lyrics all day but that might bore people who don't know what they are missing. I am obviously biased but this is a smashing collection of their classic songs and also acts as a starter for the uninitaited. Derek Jarmon contributes a brilliant short film at the end and Morrissey and co are at their iconic best. Watch or miss out on the best band ever!!

Great Document to Record The Smiths

[jazzest · 5/10 · 8 January 2004]

Derek Jarman's "The Queen is Dead," which is actually a short film accompanied by three The Smiths' songs ("The Queen is Dead," "There is a Light that never Goes out," "Panic") can be considered the centerpiece of this collection. Each song's part has a distinctive cinematic tone: flashy with fast-pace edited montages, statically imaginative, and comparatively narrative. Jarman also directed the music video of "Panic," where he recycled the footage from "Panic" part of his own "The Queen is Dead." The other music video by Jarman, "Ask," is a lazy work, which just spells out the lyrics content. Music Videos by other authors are a David Lynch-ish portrayal of a blonde with a smoking-chimney-backdrop in "How Soon is Now," a collage of Morrissey's close-up and a quoted old b/w film in "Girlfriend in a Coma," and a bicycle-riding crowd led by Morrissey going to Salford Lads Club in "Stop Me..." Live performance videos present a strange mix of a dancing crowd and the band on stage pretending to play, along with the songs recorded in studio. Morrissey's narcissistic performance, which sticks out from the other players' plain actions, is legendary.

While the collection has little cinematic value, it is a great document to record one of the most influential bands in the 80s.

Hang the Dj, Hang the Dj!!!!!!!!!!!

[cristobalradio · 13 April 2006]

Wow, the smiths are maybe, the definition of alternative in the 80, Morrisey and his devotion for sensitive and usual topics, and Jonny Maar's wonderful wall of sounds, reveals us all Manchester dilemma, the city and history, in a very positive way, opposite as Joy division Show us a very dark and sinister city, The smiths talk us about all the 90 maybe, the mark the way for a lot of Brit pop movement, and they show us how rock basic rock must be with good ideas, is not Derek Jarman, is The smiths, they made this images go on.......

I also recommend Depeche Mode the videos 86-98 great compilation for the lovers of good photography, Anton Corbjin is god

A wonderful set of promos for a wonderful band

[zu20 · 14 August 2004]

Oh what a classic introduction to a classic band, my only complaint is that they didn't include all of the videos or performances on Top of the Pops (TOTP) it is a bit lacking but still wherever possible every Smiths fan should own it I think. The TOTP performances and short promos that did make it on, sum up the Smiths in a beautiful fashion. Morrissey's performances is beautiful and camp and sexy as well as a bit stiff and self conscious in the uniquely ridiculous way that fits as a contrary to the harsh reality and truth of his emotional lyrics. - Especially in the Heaven Knows I'm Miserable now TOTP performance.

I guarantee that fans of the Smiths will be prompted to worship Morrissey, Marr, Rourke and Joyce even more. Buy it now :)