The Michael Flatley Collection (Lord of the Dance/Feet of Flames/Michael Flatley Gold) Reviews

• An Awesome Series of Productions by an Inspirational Artist.

  
  By A1OABS84KNO74T on 2004-12-24
  I ordered "Lord of the Dance" first, then "Feet of Flames" and finally "Gold." They are phenomenal. If you have enjoyed any of Flatley's work, I recommend buying the Collection. Be sure to watch them in this order so you can appreciate the production innovations. I notice that some reviewers had audio and other problems. If there were any, I did not notice them for I thoroughly enjoyed the spectacular performances. I have played each DVD several times over and have even ordered some for gifts. "Gold" features an interview with the artist that is awesome and inspiring.
  
  

• Footloose and Flatley Free

  
  By A2Z8OLSNBLS4T4 on 2006-01-29
  Much has been written about this creative talent. I purchased this dvd for my grandson who has been watching riverdance, then Lord of the Dance, and finally Feet of Flames since (and I exagerate not a bit) he was 10 months old. He is now three and has worn out the Feet of Flames dvd. He has imitated all the dance steps and arm motions from the latter movie since he was old enough to walk, and now, at 3 years of age, is getting ready for serious dance lessons.
  
  One reviewer commented that he detests Michael Flatley, personally. Never having met the man personally, I haven't had the chance to do so. I only know that as an inspiration to my little treasure he is the tops.
  
  With all the -- at best worthless and at worst destructive -- media for our children and grandchildren to become entangled in, there is at least one glimmering star to captivate their attention.
  
  Need I say that I have enjoyed Feet of Flames with him for more than two years now, and since the original is out of print, this edition will do quite nicely and at a fraction of the cost.
  
  

• Michael Flatley's Life Story And His Accomplishments

  
  By A2HTB0YFLXGZN on 2005-12-04
  Michael Flatley sits back comfortably and tells about his life's experiences. It's very informative! He seems very honest and straightforward. He shows clips of how he started out his dancing career with the Chieftains. He tells how Moya Doherty, producer of Riverdance, approached him about doing Irish Tap Dancing during a 7-minute intermission at the 1994 Eurovision. (Michael already had an image in his head about a line of dancers across the stage all doing Irish tap) Well, it came true; the dance was a success and the rest they say is history. That is when his career, officially as a dancer, really started. He became very successful; more so when he left "Riverdance".
  You see different parts of "Lord of the Dance" and "Feet of Flames" as he's talking about his achievements. He played a flute solo for his mom in "Feet of Flames", explaining that "A man cannot be macho all the time".
  He explains about why he chose those exact costumes for the show. He loves a lot of color, as we all know, explaining that eye appeal is what brings a show together. (Some people criticize him about his vegas-style look to his shows)
  There are new numbers at the end of the tape that were filmed in Budapest, I believe. The dances were styled to appeal to the countries taste. (More royal looking--Cleopatra-like eyes on the lead girls; the little spirit was dressed in a jester-like outfit) Different!! I also think the dancers were exceptional; different techniques for different countries makes for no boredom. It showed, they did a great job.
  If you are a Michael Flatley fan, it's a DVD that you won't be sorry buying.
  
  

• A good deal, but MUST be viewed on a better-quality player!

  
  By A3N2E9BOASEJXD on 2004-08-01
  If you have a cheaper DVD player, you'll probably find that the picture quality of most of Lord of the Dance (entire show included on DVD) is absolutely dismal, ditto for quite a bit of Feet of Flames (entire show included on DVD) and for Gold (interview interspersed with dance numbers in chronological order, including a fair amount of footage that isn't otherwise available). Playing this on a cheaper DVD player, the scenes in which the stage was not flooded with bright lights from the front were extremely dark and blurry, totally unacceptable!! But on a better player, the picture is fine. I truly enjoyed Lord of the Dance when I saw it on tour and am glad to have the DVD to replace my VHS and to have the other footage. On the right machine, a very enjoyable DVD!
  
  

• At his best

  
  By A2I3U3C0O0IIE0 on 2005-03-30
  I was prompted to write this because of the two negative reviews I read regarding this particular DVD. I love this DVD. It is absolutely perfect. I have played it on more than one machine and there are no technical difficulties whatsoever. It is just pure entertainment. The quality of a DVD over VHS is awesome. This was my very first DVD and I was amazed at the quality. I do not think I will be watching my videos again anytime soon. What a bargain this was, three high quality shows on one DVD for such a low price, I do not think it can get any better than this.
  
  
• The Michael Flatley Collection
  By A2UWORFIVXK0TZ on 2005-09-15
  I read other reviews for this disk and found out while watching mine that I had my DVD player connected to my LCD TV incorrectly.
  
  Once I corrected the problem, the colors returned, the contrasts were beautiful, and the sound was great. I have two other versions of "Lord of the Dance", an official video tape, and a copy made while watching it on PBS. Of the three versions, I prefer the PBS version. It was done early on, the show was more intimate, in a theater. Since the show has been a success it has turned into a spectacular playing before thousands at a time, as reflected in the dvd presentation.
  
  I love the DVD as it shows how the show has progressed. With the disk played properly the sound, color, and presentation reflects the success of the show.
  
  I highly recommend this dvd because it shows the evolution of the show and it's future. The interveiws with Flatley on the reverse gives both his history, as well as, the future of the show. I believe these recorded presentations are much more enjoyable than attending a presentation because of the access the camera has of the presentation.
  
  
  
• Celtic Toe Tapper
  By A25XG463B5SGEY on 2005-09-20
  If you like, Celtic music or you enjoyed Riverdance then this DVD is for you. Essentially three stories on one DVD its great value for money. For those serious addicts like me this DVD has kept us going until the new show Celtic Tiger hits the road, which should be anytime soon....
  Its fascinating to watch how the delightful Lord of the Dance evolved into Feet of Flames and then in Gold see what influenced Michael and watch that all important Eurovision Song Contest where the dancers were the half time act that stole the whole show...yes!
  
  
  
• The Michael Flatley Collection (Lord of the Dance/Feet of Flames/Michael Flatley Gold)
  By A3GPRBEFRBTRIV on 2006-03-17
  Good overall DVD. The double-sided DVD offers 3 different performances at a great price.
  
  
• The Michael Flatley Collection (Lord of the Dance/Feet of Flames/Michael Flatley Gold)
  By A1H008I4FS9TL3 on 2005-10-17
  the best, the best, the best!!!
  
  
• Buy this DVD now
  By A20IM81WGQDHSF on 2006-12-06
  First the nuts and bolts; the information you want about what's on this video.
  Then, my detailed opinions regarding the three programs.
  
  This video contains, in their entirety, "Lord of the Dance" (LOTD), which was the premiere performance in the Point Theatre in Dublin;
  "Feet of Flames," (FOF) the new and improved version of LOTD, performed outdoors in Hyde Park,
  and a documentary, "Gold."
  
  LOTD and FOF are on one side, and you need to flip the DVD over to watch Gold.
  
  LOTD runs 1h 37 min, and is in normal TV aspect ratio ("fullscreen" 1.3:1).
  FOF runs 1h 54 min, and is in widescreen format, 1.77:1, conventionally, 16:9.
  Gold runs 2h 10 min, and is in aspect ratio 1.78:1, described as "anamorphic".
  
  All three say captions in English and subtitles in French and Spanish.
  
  Previous comments have mentioned some problems in the audio of the DVD.
  The DVD that I purchased through Amazon is perfect. There are *NO* audio or visual problems in any of the programs.
  
  I had LOTD in commercial VHS, as well as home-recorded of PBS. I find the quality of the commercial VHS rather poor, as if it was recorded in EP mode.
  This DVD looks much better.
  
  I cannot conceive of any reason not to buy this DVD, especially considering the price. I paid $13.99 from Amazon, and I cannot think of fourteen bucks better spent. Ever.
  
  That should take care of the nuts and bolts information, now for my criticism.
  
  Michael Flatley seems to have one mode when talking about his work: enthusiasm.
  
  He says in Gold that LOTD was the best performance, that there was magic on the stage.
  All I have seen is these videos and a performance of LOTD in Boston.
  I believe that he is not exaggerating. To me, LOTD, the opening performance recorded for posterity,
  is *PERFECT*. There is definately magic on that stage. Perhaps it is due to the opening show anxiety that Michael speaks of,
  but whatever it is, I can watch this program over and over and over again and never get tired of it.
  
  FOF is the 'new and improved' LOTD. As you see, it is a half hour longer. Besides all the pieces in LOTD, several new pieces were added.
  Notably, a solo flute performance from Flatley, "Whispering Wind." It brings tears to my ears. It is absolutely beautiful.
  Additionally, a second "Siamsa"-style piece is added to the first half, called "Dancing over the Rainbows."
  Since "Siamsa" is one of my favorite pieces from LOTD, this is big plus.
  
  I love all of LOTD, but I do have favorites. My *very* favorites pieces are: Gypsy, Stolen Kiss, Siamsa, and the intoroductory piece to "Lord of the Dance,"
  where Gillian and Bernadette dance together and are then joined by four men (the part that is to the music of "Stolen Kiss").
  
  I prefer all of these from LOTD to the FOF versions.
  
  FOF may be bigger, but for me it is not better.
  
  Don't get me wrong, I love FOF, but how can you match perfection (LOTD)?
  
  The documentary Gold is an interview with Flatley interspersed with footage.
  A great deal of the footage is from LOTD and FOF. Interesting note: The footage from LOTD is in widescreen. Is there a widescreen version of LOTD available? If there was, I'd buy it.
  Probably half of the two-plus hours is simply footage from LOTD anf FOF.
  It starts with earlier footage, including stuff with the Chieftans. All interesting.
  
  The latter part focuses on a new and improved LOTD/FOF called "Feet of Flames Budapest."
  
  I looked online for this expecting it to be commercially available, but no such luck. What gives?
  It was obviously filmed...
  
  Here I get critical.
  
  The setting has been changed. It has an Egyptian motif. The 'bad' girl is Cleopatra.
  Neither Gillian or Bernadette are in it.
  
  One of the pieces shown is called "Cleopatra's Spell." This, I would guess, is the replacement for Gypsy.
  I must admit, it has really grown on me. The dancer, whose name I didn't catch, is quite a babe. She has a great set of gams, but she's no Gillian.
  [Gillian: I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU!]
  
  Later, Michael talks about how he recognizes that his audience expects to see some of the favorites from LOTD/FOF.
  This little snippet introduces the new "Stolen Kiss." Michael says something like he kept it because it'a a favorite, but made it bigger and better with new stuff.
  Well, I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with Michael here.
  
  I get the concept, sacred v. profane; love v. lust. It is *beautifullay* and *perfectly" portrayed in Stolen Kiss in LOTD.
  But here, Flatley wants to hit us over the head with it, and has, in fact, vulgarized it.
  
  In a nutshell, the two female leads do not measure up to Gillian and Bernadette.
  
  I am a person who had/has ZERO interest in dance until, like millions of others, I happened to catch something called "Riverdance" on PBS a decade ago while channel surfing.
  I still have no interest in dance, but I worship the ground Michael Flatley walks on.
  LOTD is the greatest artistic creations in decades.
  
  Michael Flatley, and Gillian Norris, dancing forever in my heart!
  
  
  
• Great Show. But know the specs of the DVD
  By A2FWAOZKFE6FV0 on 2007-01-30
  Excellent Performance by Flately and group. For Tech spec lovers I would like to give some info. Lord of Dance is in 4:3 Full screen with 2 channel sound. Feet of flames is in 4:3 letterboxed 1.77:1 widescreen with 2 Channel and 5.1 channel sound but the 5.1 is not great. I feel it is actually upconverted from the 2ch. Gold is 16:9 anamorphic widescreen with 2ch sound. This is a dual layer double sided disc with Gold on one side and the rest on the other side.
  
  
• Outstanding!
  By A3E3CCRN8VB7W5 on 2005-03-26
  I loved every minute of it. I don't understand why some had audio problems, I did not notice any myself. The picture was very sharp, and the sound was excellent. I am pleasantly surprised at the low cost for so much entertainment; two performances, an interview with Mr. Flatley, and scenes from his show in Hungary. I would definitely recommend this DVD to all who love Irish dance.
  
  
  
• Feet of flames makes it all worth it!
  By A1WWOZONMZ55SZ on 2005-06-14
  After seeing the live show of "Lord of the dance" i was anxious to get the DVD or the soundtrack and i looked in a lot of places before fiding this product. At firts i thought "3 Shows! WOW I need to get this!" But, please if you don't know each of this shows, don't get excited. I would actually say it is just a show and a half, because all of lord of the dance's dances are included in feet of flames with better image quality, music sound and also with a about twice as much dancers. I must admitt i was a bit disappointed when i saw "Lord of the dance" in DVD it had all of the problems and more that other viewers had commented about.
  Gold is just and interview with some dance (most repeated from riverdance or feet of flames, so there were only like 3 new ones) That is why i don't even consider the collection to have 2 shows.
  
  But all these minor problems aside, i can't give 4 stars to this because it deserves so much more. Just watching the first dance (feet of flames of course) blows you away with the coordination, and it isn't long before the music and the speed make your jaw drop to the floor as you watch every minute of the show. But this you must know, if you at any degree like the irish dances this dvd will sure make you enjoy them more!!
  I recommend this to basically anyone, since it has something everyone can enjoy, (by the way, if you choose to buy this, please don't bother watching "Lord of the dance")
  
  
  
• Exciting, but the DVD Itself has some problems
  By A2QW6O9GKPUSSM on 2005-09-16
  I love Irish Dance, and while I detest Flatly personally, he puts on quite a show. The show itself is 5 stars. The DVD however, when they recorded the sound onto the DVD, something must have gone wrong because during Feet of Flames, the sound fluxuates, it gets louder when the crowd cheers, but the actual show parts are softer.
  
  
• inspirational
  By ACVPUMWN51E60 on 2006-01-22
  I was very inspired by the interview with Michale Flately. My family enjoyed the shows on the DVD as well. It was definately worth buying.
  
  
• review
  By A3PZAIVGMOGG4J on 2006-07-07
  This three dvd set is a great deal for the money. The Micheal Flately DVD gives a good look in to Michael's seemingly self centered persona and also gives a lot of cuts of dances from the worldwide variations of 'feet of flames' that was performed in different countries.
  
  
  
  
• (:D)
  By A2NUHWMHA9XNKV on 2006-07-08
  GREAT FUN & ENTERTAINING.
  for i never got bored and i like the dancing so beautifully done..get this for your collection if you like all kinds of dancing then this is for you....
  
  
• It's Michael Flatley...what more do I need to say?
  By A1G11LQIDVN5ID on 2005-09-13
  I loved this DVD. If there was one thing I could have changed, it would have been more step dancing in "Feet of Flames." Despite the lack of the sound of taps hitting the stage, however, the dancing was awesome.
  
  
• AWESOME!
  By A3HK398MJCYVUH on 2006-11-09
  This DVD is really worth having in your collection. It has Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames AND an interview and a sneak peak at another show. We have watched it several times already!
  
  
• Exciting modern Celtic entertainment!
  By AATQ7FN9RU8UA on 2007-01-09
  This is more than a dance show...it has a story and an attention to excellence and detail that makes it a thrill to watch!
  
  
• Lousy sound screwed up the greatest show ever
  By A3BSEUIQ0HKHRU on 2005-04-26
  Even though I read the reviews, I took my chances and got the DVD. It is unbelievable that such a DVD comes with such a damaged sound; it is not that audio is not state of the art, it is just damaged, volume jups up and down all the time, and you end up not enjoying the show. I have Feet of Flames in VHS and it sounds much better than this DVD.
  
  
  
  
• Should've just bought the soundtrack
  By A1B4DA2IKCBDB5 on 2006-09-02
  I was disappointed with this DVD. I am not a dance fan but I do enjoy watching a good folk dance performance -- that is what I expected this to be but it was nothing like what I imagined. The visual and audio were out of sync at times and that is especially disturbing when watching a tap/clogging performance. The camera switched views much too frequently which was also very distracting. If you think that you are getting three videos in one be careful -- "Lord of the Dance" and "Feet of Flames" are pretty much the same thing but done at different times and places with maybe some different costumes. The performance was much too "artsy" for me but some people like it that way. If I were to do it again I would just purchase the soundtrack.
  
  
• Michael Flatley Collection - an appreciation of the fine art of dance.
  By AG9WZVNIM56QR on 2007-01-06
  Using spectacular dance sequences and a superb cast of dancers, Michael Flatley has raised the bar on the art of choreography. For those who appreciate the exuberant art of dance blended with vocal solos and interpretive story telling this CD is a winner. If there is one drawback it is that many of the "Michael Flatley Gold" dance sequences are repetitions of the dances in "Lord of the Dance" and "Feet Of Flames". The CD is highly recommended.
  
  
• Takes your breath away
  By AEP857LCH4LOW on 2007-03-08
  This review and replay of various versions of Lord of the Dance, is without question, a must for a DVD library. Be prepared to spend an entire evening being captivated by Michael Flatly. Absolutely superb!!
  
  
• Gold
  By A12V2SX4TYE2OR on 2007-07-08
  This was a great discovery for me. The two dvd's I wanted most in one collection. There were no problems with the audio and everything ran smoothly.
  
  
• Not exactly riverdance
  By A2PFE7UI3I43ON on 2005-08-20
  My daughters became fascinated with Riverdance (the best of DVD) and with Michael Flately. While the DVD is a good bargain since it is three videos in one, my kids were not a thrilled with it as I had hope they might be. The music is not as catchy, nor is the dance as visually appealing, at least to children anyway. The look is a bit more like modern-dance. If you are a Michael Flately fan, there is a nice personal interview with him, and of course he is featured a great deal since it is his show. But if you are more of a Riverdance fan, I would recommend some of the older shows featuring him, rather than this DVD... it's not exactly Riverdance.
  
  
• Michael Flatley - Lord of the Dance
  By A2BCGS5W59QDGD on 2005-09-07
  great dancing and music - superb showmanship by Michael Flatley
  
  
• Superb Collection.
  By AOLDJQFX3MEPU on 2006-11-08
  Being an ardent admirer of Irish Dances, Michael Flatley Collection was a balm to my senses.The music, dances, choreography, etc., were excellent.The DVD was very clear with rich colours.I shall always welcome another collection like that.
  
  
• Flatley
  By A1PWXSRQU7VMG3 on 2007-01-15
  This DVD comes in Flatley... or should I say flat. He's a genious but once out of the Riverdance routines he just misses tha mark.
  
  
• celtic dance
  By A31SUZ4JH0BYUT on 2007-02-10
  great,loved it,if you love celtic dance you will love this dvd,micheal Flatley is super.Can't wait to get celtic tiger.
  
  

• The Best of Riverdance
• The Celtic Tiger Starring Michael Flatley
• Michael Flatley - Lord of the Dance
• Celtic Woman - A New Journey: Live at Slane Castle, Ireland
• Riverdance - Live From New York City