Wednesday, November 29, 2023
QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL, a film of the legendary band's 1981 concerts at Montreal’s Forum, will be screened at more than 450 IMAX locations around the world for four days beginning 1/18.
IMAX and Pathé Live, in partnership with Mercury Studios and Queen Films, are behind the picture, which has been digitally remastered for the first time and boasts 12-channel surround sound.
“I don’t think we quite realized it at the time, but this film has preserved one of the highest peaks in Queen’s touring life, on stage in the old glory days,” said Queen guitarist Brian May. “The director was very much focused on Freddie, and this now stands as probably the most precious intimate capture ever of Mr. Mercury at his full awesome power.”
Queen’s return to Montreal came after the release of 1980's The Game, the smash single “Under Pressure” and two years of touring. At the time, Queen dominated the charts in every major territory in the world. The quartet played two shows in Montreal—11/24-25/81—arranged specifically for a full-length concert film.
QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL was originally released in 2007 as a double CD, Blu-ray, DVD, and triple vinyl album in the U.K. and the following day in the U.S. But the remastered IMAX images are so clear you can see John Deacon sneaking a bite of poutine during “Somebody to Love.”