The revolutionary documentary "Gimme Shelter," by filmmakers Albert and David Maysles, follows the Rolling Stones on their 1969 U.S. tour, culminating in the stabbing death of a concertgoer at the Altamont Speedway in California.
The Maysles brothers filmed in a fly-on-the-wall style, recording events as they unfolded, including the free Altamont concert near the end of the band's tour.
Their cameras captured all the disturbing action, including the moment Mick Jagger was singing "Under My Thumb" as an audience member pulled out a revolver and was fatally stabbed by a member of the Hells Angels, who had been hired to protect the stage. Decades later, the scenes are still shocking.
The Criterion Collection's new DVD and Blu-ray releases ($40 each) add unseen footage from the tour, backstage outtakes and a studio session, among other extras.
AMY HITT, Washington Post
