Watch The Rolling Stones Crossfire Hurricane

"The Rolling Stones Crossfire Hurricane" is an explosive, documentary-style film chronicling the early days of The Rolling Stones until their climb to international rock stardom. Cutting between interviews, archival footage and live stage appearances the film is a tribute to the band that culminates in a visually breathtaking recreation of their legendary 1969 concert at the iconic Hyde Park in London.

The film starts with newsreels of the band's early years, driving beat-up cars and playing in small clubs around London. The grainy black and white footage of young kids, struggling to get noticed by record labels, adds to the thrill of discovery. There are rare glimpses into the lives of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Ian Stewart during their formative years, revealing how they came together and fueled the music that eventually set the world on fire.

Director Brett Morgen has pieced together a story based on archive footage, without including any new interviews with the band members. It's a radical decision that focuses on the energy of the moment, the rawness of the music, and the feverish movement that marked the Stones' genesis. The pacing of the film is a dynamic combination of concert footage and emotional close-ups, allowing Mick Jagger's stage charisma to shine while conveying the band’s inter-personal tensions.

The footage from the band’s early days shows them performing in small clubs, vibrating with youthful energy, passion, and desire for success. Their early singles struggled to gain airplay, and they had to work hard to build an audience from scratch. The band members’ music evolved gradually, being influenced by blues legends such as Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters, and recording in studios in the U.S. and U.K. That's where they developed what would become their signature sound: a combination of hard rock and electric blues that was edgy and sexy.

The narrative builds toward the spectacular concert at Hyde Park in July 1969, where the Stones played for 500,000 fans in a free concert to pay tribute to late guitarist Brian Jones, who's death had occurred just two days before. Morgen utilizes rare footage of the event and incorporates it across his narrative, visually re-producing the moment via footage of rehearsals, commentary from fans who attended the concert, and interviews with members of the audience who shared their memories of that day.

The 1969 Hyde Park concert would become a watershed moment for the band, with Jagger commanding the stage, electric in his performance of hits like "I’m Free", and "Satisfaction". The concert also marked the first appearance of new guitarist Mick Taylor, whose influence would have a major impact on the band's sound over the next few albums. The image of the band playing against the stunning backdrop of Hyde Park that hot summer day, with Jagger whipping the crowd into a frenzy is a highlight of the film. For fans of the band and the time period, this moment in history becomes almost transcendent.

The Rolling Stones were more than just a band – they were a cultural icon, pushing the boundaries of music, fashion, and sexuality in a way that both scandalized and exhilarated audiences. "The Rolling Stones Crossfire Hurricane" captures the excitement of those early years and delivers an unforgettable tribute to one of the greatest bands of all time. It's a must-see film for any Stones or rock n' roll enthusiast who wants to experience an era in history that will never be seen again.