The concert film “Pink Floyd at Pompeii-McMlxxii” celebrates its cinema comeback: from April 24, 2025, the remastered live recording will run in selected locations. The concert film from 1972 was staged by director Adrian Maben and is still one of the most influential music documentaries.
For the new publication, the original material was digitally restored using the 35mm recording and optimized in 4K quality. The renowned musician and producer Steven Wilson ensured a new, impressive audio mix that makes the film tangible in 5.1 Surround and Dolby Atmos. Tickets are from March 5th here available. The clip for “Echoes” provides a first impression of the restored film version:
The film documents Pink Floyd in a crucial creative phase: In October 1971, the band played a unique set in front of the spectacular backdrop of Pompeii’s ancient amphitheater – without an audience. The recordings were taken shortly before their groundbreaking album “The Dark Side of the Moon” and show the band at their climax when they shaped their distinctive style with tracks like “Echoes”, “A Saucerful of Secrets” and “One of these Days”. The recording also shows exclusive insights into Abbey Road Studios during the early recordings for the album. Nick Mason describes the film as “a rare and unique testimony of our live performances before the appearance of The Dark Side of the Moon.”
Elaborate restoration work
After years of search, the original 35mm negative was discovered in the band archives and carefully scanned in 4K. Colors were optimized, each frame was restored without falsifying the classic film grit.
“I have been looking for original film material, Pink Floyd at Pompeii ‘since 1994,” said Lana Topham, Director of Restoration, in the course of the announcement. “The discovery of the 1972 original negative was a very special moment. The restored version first presents the film as a 90-minute cut, which combines the 60-minute live performance with documentary recordings from the Abbey Road Studios. ”
Steven Wilson is also enthusiastic: “These four musicians with their liberated, experimental rock music were the epitome of intellectual coolness for me. It was a great honor to remix the soundtrack and thus support Lana Topham’s incredible work. ”
Live album and vinyl premiere
In keeping with the theatrical release, the accompanying live album “Pink Floyd at Pompeii – McMlxxii” via Legacy Recordings, the catalog department of Sony Music, will be released on May 2, 2025. In addition to digital formats and CD, the album is also published for the first time in Dolby Atmos and Vinyl. In addition, the concert film will come out as Bluray and DVD.
Album tracklist
Side A
- Pompeii intro
- Echoes – Part 1
- Carful with that axe, Eugene
Side B
- A saucerful of Secrets
- Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
Side C
- One of these days
- Mademoiselle Nobs
- Echoes – Part 2
Side D
- Carful with that Ax, Eugene – Alternate Take
- A saucerful of Secrets – Unedited