Michael_Elliott The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town (2010) *** 1/2 (out of 4) Terrific 90-minute documentary taking a look at Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's attempt to make a follow-up record to their classic "Born to Run" album. The singer and band were riding a huge wave of success when their future was pretty much tossed into the air due to a dispute, which kept them out of the studio. Through interviews with Springsteen and the band, behind-the-scenes footage from rehearsal footage as well as concert footage from the "Born to Run" tour, this documentary really gives one a great idea of what was going on during this period and how the eventual album turned out so well. I really don't see how any Springsteen fan could be disappointed by this documentary because it gives you a great story told by all the original members and it also takes you inside the recording process with some terrific video footage. One of the highlights comes in regards to the drums not sounding correct and we see everyone just getting frustrated because they can't get the correct sound that they're looking for. Another great moment happens when Bruce pulls out "the book" and everyone laughs that the work would be over if he'd just put this book away. With the behind-the-scenes footage we also get to hear alternate takes of some famous tunes including 'Badlands' and 'The Promised Land' and I'm sure fans will enjoy this. With a great documentary already being made on the story of "Born to Run" it's great to see the follow-up album get the same type of treatment.

iancr If you haven't seen this documentary yet, watch it. I've never been a die-hard Springsteen fan but this is an incredible tale of artistry and it's hard to imagine anyone who is either a listener or involved in the creative process not appreciating what they did. It's a story of how magic comes from balancing visionary and obsession, friendship and oppression, cooperation and standing your ground.Springsteen talking about the album in retrospect is lucid and insightful, but the amount of footage they have from the actual recording sessions is incredible. Inspiring and a must-see for all music-lovers, Springsteen fans or not.

tony randall my favorite part of this bruce doc was the part when he and steve van zant are kind of fooling around/working out a part to a song in the studio after everyone else has already left.there's no cocaine,liquor-not even a single beer-or groupies that would've been in any other famous band's scene.while(insert 70s rock star name here) would've been enjoying his downtime relaxing and getting his blah blahed or taking any number of drugs bruce is working on his music-one gets the feeling that's how he unwinds,that's what the man does for fun.another thing i always just assumed was the 3 year gap between "born to run" and "darkness..." was because he was constantly touring.i had no idea about the legal stuff and i know bruce and the e-street's history pretty well...very solid documentary-i wish they had included more of the old footage but all in all-solid.

crossbow0106 This is a documentary about the making of the follow up to "Born To Run". "Darkness" was a good record, but it was somewhat of a letdown after a three year drought, which was primarily due to management/legal issues. There are great songs on "Darkness", but there are very forgettable songs also. Also, this was the record where Springsteen began to write about things beyond New Jersey/New York. This record is more about America's heartland. The documentary captures studio patter and new interviews, including the late Danny Federici. If you are a big Springsteen fan, you will give this a nine. However, unlike the recent excellent Rush-Beyond The Lighted Stage and Anvil documentaries, this is a myopic film, just about that record. To be fair, I loved Springsteen's music then, but have since felt like he has lost his creative muse. Also, this documentary will not give you full on versions of the songs, so if you haven't heard the record more than a few times, you'll have to acquaint yourself with it or it will be more or less not interesting. The interviews are okay, nothing revelatory. Springsteen is not a good interview, he seems almost monosyllabic at times. A much better documentary is "No Direction Home", the Bob Dylan documentary about his early years, as Dylan himself is fascinatingly reflective in it. I gave it a 7 for nostalgic reasons. If you don't like Springsteen don't watch this. Fairly well done, but it could have been much more interesting.