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"Silence of Lambs" director Jonathan Demme and American musical legend Neil Young worked together for two nights to create the concert film "Neil Young: Heart of Gold." Focusing on his recent album "Prairie Wind," "Heart of Gold" showcases songs from that album and some of his classic hits. Demme, who has found fame for directing award winning films such as "Silence of the Lambs" and "Philadelphia," is no stranger to directing in the music business. He had previously worked on musical videos for the Pretenders and Bruce Springsteen. Neil Young, on the other hand, is a living legend of music. From performing at Woodstock to assisting in the shaping of the careers for bands such as Pearl Jam, Neil Young has entertained and influenced millions.

What does the fusion of an acclaimed director and a musical great result in? The answer to that question is a remarkably warm and personal series of performances that are pieced together to make one coherent concert film. Demme set up eight cameras at various locations in the historic Ryman Auditorium and focused on presenting Neil Young and his fellow musicians as closed-knit family. In doing so, the camera moves frequently from Young to various members of the band. The shots used are typically close up and personal with the individual performers and the shots that are wider are chosen to show the interrelationships of the performing family. Never once do you feel like you had purchased cheap seats to view the show. Even the best fan club seats couldn´t get you this great a seat. Mixed with such classic tunes as "Harvest Moon," "Heart of Gold" and "Old Man," Young shares small stories that shaped his life and career and the inspirations for some of those songs. These personal moments and Neil Young´s genuine showmanship allows "Neil Young: Heart of Gold" to be about the man as well as the music.

The show takes place in the Ryman Auditorium. This is the historic home of the renown Grand Ole Opry. Having grown up in a house where Country Music was the only choice allowed, the Grand Ole Opry has a bit of mysticism for me. It is the home of American Country and Western music. It is a place where Folk music beats close to the heart. Young steps into this home of Country and commands the stage with a presence that suggests the Ryman Auditorium has welcomed one of its own home. Young´s set includes a banjo, twelve string guitars and other instruments that are familiar for the venue. For a man that was once backed by Eddie Vedder and band, Young very much seems that he belongs on the Opry stage. For me, watching "Neil Young: Heart of Gold" was a lovely cross between the music I grew up on and the rock and roll I embraced when I was old enough to have my own radio.

This is one of those concerts that will appeal to almost everybody, though Classic Rock, Country & Western and Folk music fans will appreciate it the most. Joining Neil Young and his bandmates are numerous other musical guests. Most notably is country songstress Emmylou Harris. Though Neil Young is from Ontario, Canada, he is one of those rare singers that embody American Folk music. "Neil Young: Heart of Gold" is a wonderful testament by Jonathan Demme to this musical icon has Young enters his golden years. Watching Neil Young discuss his memories and perform his lovely songs almost bring a sadness, but "Neil Young: Heart of Gold" is far from a swan song. It is a digitally frozen moment in time that can be revisited over and over again as the years go by.

Video

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen, "Neil Young: Heart of Gold" beautifully fills my Samsung HDTV. However, the picture quality of the film brings about a rustic look that more closely matches the Ryman Auditorium and the costumes worn by Young and band than it does the shiny and polished television that delivers it. This isn´t a bad thing and the visual style of the concert film is fitting. The picture just feels overly soft and the colors are desaturated. The closing credits, a wonderfully shot moment, is a perfect example of the simple and toned down visuals of the film. Neil Young sits alone on stage at the Grand Ole Opry and plays a song on his old guitar. His dusty old guitar case sits by his side. He wears his glasses and allows his silver hair to be free of the hat that sits on his guitar case. A very minimal scene. "Neil Young: Heart of Gold" is a minimal looking film. Rustic and simple and any given shot from the film would look right at home on an old vinyl cover that has been slightly worn with age.

Sound

Where the visual presentation felt like Young´s worn old guitar case, the sound performs just as well as the artist and his instrument. Paramount provides the viewer with a wide selection of sound formats. Multi-channel surround systems benefits from either Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 surround. For those without a six speaker system, "Neil Young: Heart of Gold" includes a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. The two multi-channel formats are both clean and powerful. From the metallic twang of the guitar strings to the odd broom that is used as a musical instrument, everything comes across remarkably clear and very lifelike. The 5.1 mixes rival all but the best DVD-Audio mixes I have heard. The two channel mix sounds great coming through just the television speakers or my two main speakers. Whereas the disc leaves a bit to be visually desired, the sound really pops to life.