Filmed as a British television special in December 1968 (which, incidentally, never aired), this good-natured circus hosted by the Rolling Stones features an all-star line-up of rock and roll greats, including Yoko Ono, mystical prog rockers Jethro Tull, Marianne Faithfull, and The Dirty Mac. Amidst the fire-eaters and acrobats, the show-stopping numbers include "Sympathy for the Devil," "No Expectations," "A Quick One (While He's Away)," and others.

Shot in 1968, this concert film (conceived and organized by Mick Jagger) was made in London over a two-day period. The show was literally set in a circus-like atmosphere, with the rock bands dressed in colorful costumes, and acrobats, clowns and other big-top acts performing between sets. The film captures such groups as the Rolling Stones and The Who at the height of their creativity, providing unforgettable entertainment for fans both young and old.

Shown at the 1996 New York Film Festival.

A Rolling Stones presentation.

Color by Technicolor UK.

Additional credits: Dave Ashley Smith (sound); Jimmy Miller (live recording producer); Glyn Johns (live recording engineer); Mick Gochanour (associate producer); Robin Klein (post-production producer and editor).

Shot in 16mm, and blown up to 35mm.

Although shot in 1968, the film was reportedly never released because The Rolling Stones were unhappy with their performance, and feared that The Who upstaged them. The Stones' plan to re-film their performance was halted by the death of group member Brian Jones.

Songs include:
"Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Parachute Woman,"
"You Can't Always Get What You Want,"
"Sympathy for the Devil" and "Salt of the Earth"
performed by The Rolling Stones.
"A Quick One While He's Away" performed by The Who.
"Song for Jeffrey" performed by Jethro Tull.
"Ain't That a Whole Lot of Love" performed by Taj Mahal.
"Something Better" performed by Marianne Faithfull.
"Whole Lotta Yoko" performed by Yoko Ono.
"Yer Blues" performed by Dirty Mac (comprised of John
Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Mitch
Mitchell).

DVD Features:

Region [unknown]
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
PCM Stereo
Subtitles - English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Backstage Footage
Audio Commentary: Director and Music Performers
Never Before Seen Footage
Text/Photo Gallery
Text/Photo Galleries:
Photo Galleries
Tracks:
1. Introduction
2. Parade
3. Song for Jeffery - Jethro Tull
4. A Quick One (While He's Away) - The Who
5. Trapeze Artists
6. Aint That A Lot of Love - Taj Mahal
7. Something Better - Marianne Faithful
8. Fire Eater and Luna
9. Mick & John
10. Yer Blues - The Dirty Mac
11. Whole Lotta Yoko - Yoko Ono/Ivry Girls/The Dirty Mac
12. Jumping Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones
13. Parachute Woman - The Rolling Stones
14. No Expectations - The Rolling Stones
15. You Can't Always Get What You Want - The Rolling Steones
16. Symphaty for the Devil - The Rolling Stones
17. Salt of the Earth - The Rolling Stones
18. Credits

 Rolling Stones: British Rock & Roll Band
 Who: British Rock Group
 Jethro Tull: British Progressive Rock Group
Eric Clapton: British Songwriter/Musician, "Layla"
Marianne Faithfull: British Singer
John Lennon: British Songwriter/Musician
Yoko Ono: Artist/Singer/Songwriter
Taj Mahal: Actress/Adult

Michael Lindsay-Hogg: Director/Screenwriter

"There is not a bad moment in THE ROLLING STONES ROCK AND ROLL CIRCUS. The performances by the Who and Dirty Mac are spectacular..."
"The entire cast wears circus garb that looks left over from The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper cover, and there's a transcendent moment when Mick Jagger and John Lennon get silly with each other."
"...Uncommonly great....Intimate and exceptional performances..." -- Rating: A
"...Heady with late-'60s atmosphere and electrifying moments from musical luminaries at their creative peaks..."
"[T]he Stones' performance stands up well alongside their guests..."