Review of America: A Tribute to Heroes

Introduction

While the atrocity of September was an unjustifiable horror, there is little doubt that it brought out the best in many ordinary and extraordinary people. People who risked life and limb to help colleagues and complete strangers. People who selflessly gave up their own lives to save that of there fellow human beings. And this heroism is what America, to its credit, focussed on during the aftermath of the 21st Century`s first day of infamy.

On Friday, Sept. 21 the entertainment industry came together to raise funds and raise the spirits of all who have been touched by the tragedy of September 11.

In a live, two-hour, commercial-free broadcast celebrities from television, feature films, music, sports and news took part in a musical celebration and act of remembrance. This broadcast has been captured on DVD and was released before Christmas in the US. It is released in the UK in mid-February.

Video

Video is presented in a Full Frame 1.33:1 transfer and has little to recommend it. Initially, it looks OK with a rich, warm palette. However, the main flaw becomes apparent when there is any significant motion on screen. Then, the image softens dramatically and often becomes little more than a blur.

It`s a cursory NTSC transfer that could have been so much better because, visually, it is potentially very attractive. The image is muted and reserved and gloriously lit with a multitude of candles. This, combined with some understated camerawork, makes for pleasing imagery.

Audio

The audio is equally cursory, having a Linear PCM 48kHz soundtrack. This is not necessarily a bad thing but, in this case, the sound is a fairly soft business. It lacks dynamic range and, while not unlistenable, does not do justice to the material, which is generally of a high standard.

The musical highlight is the Springsteen opener "My City Of Ruin" which is stark and elegiac, yet uplifting. Also, excellent are Sheryl Crow`s "Safe And Sound", Stevie Wonder`s "Love`s In Need Of Love Today" which comes with gorgeous backing vocals from Take 6, and Neil Young`s fragile take on "Imagine". Overall, the music is very good - respectful and often optimistic - with only Celine Dion and Bon Jovi (with a neutered, acoustic Living On A Prayer) really letting the quality down. Even Mariah Carey`s "Hero" sounds good in the context of the show.

Features

Oh dear. It looks like cursory is the order of the day here too. There are no features (I don`t count the unnecessary WebLinks) and the disk presentation is basic and dull. Effectively, all you get is the two hour TV show shoved on DVD as quickly as possible. Shame.

Conclusion

The Tribute to Heroes concert was an undoubtedly powerful event and one which, in some small part, helped the American healing process after the September 11 tragedy. Four months later and half a world away, its impact may be lessened somewhat but is still powerful - the musical sentiments and the tributes are deeply moving.

The music is of a high standard and most of the celebrities paying tribute to the heroism displayed on the day are dignified and affecting - Tom Hanks and Will Smith definitely have presidential potential (and probably know it). For me, the most moving tribute was that paid to the New York police by Dennis Franz and Jimmy Smits (from NYPD Blue), but it would be churlish to criticise any.

Likewise, it would be churlish to criticise the music. A broad spectrum of musical talent is represented - from Wyclef Jean through Faith Hill to Bon Jovi and Willie Nelson. The tone is largely respectful and reflective - the main exception is Tom Petty who sings "I Won`t Back Down" with a confrontational fervour.

This is an appropriate musical tribute to the heroes of the day but the DVD doesn`t do it justice.