Name: Depeche Mode: Devotional
Genre: Documentary, Music
Released: 1993-09-30
Duration: 84 min
Rating: 5
Cast: Dave Gahan, Alan Wilder, Martin Gore, Andy 'Fletch' Fletcher

brett

Nov 21, 2023

<b>Depeche Mode</b> are one of the most successful bands in the world. Since the early 80s, they've been releasing albums featuring a string of hits, most notably "Enjoy the Silence" and "Just Can't Get Enough". However, while their catalog is impressive, it's their live shows that really capture why they've maintained their status. After the release of their album Songs of Faith and Devotion, they embarked on The Devotional Tour, at the time their darkest album to date. The album features a new direction and tone for Martin L. Gore, the group's lead songwriter. During the recording of the album, lead singer Dave Gahan was struggling with addiction and there was friction within the group. But when you hear him singing Gore's lyrics, you are taken to another level. Songs such as "Walking In My Shoes" and "Get Right With Me" are mixed with Gahan's raspy voice, a darker tone through which you hear his struggles, minimal electronics, and sleek guitar symphony.
Directed by Anton Corbijn, <i>Depeche Mode: Devotional</i> is a cinematic masterpiece. Featuring songs from the band's celebrated catalog, such as "Behind the Wheel", "Never Let Me Down Again" and "Fly on the Windscreen", the concert film, filmed in Barcelona, Liévin and Frankfurt, aligns the band members accordingly to set the stage for each song performed.
The stage also features video sets, which Corbijn created for most of the songs. They're dark, mesmerizing, and incredibly beautiful. Highlights include "I Feel You", "Enjoy the Silence", and "In Your Room". Depeche Mode's early music is more pop-friendly, but this transition comes full circle as their songs about religion and sex are on display, and there's nothing that be compared to this film to tell you otherwise.
It's a dark film with a very intimate setting-like structure to it. While filmed in 1993-1994 and no announcement of a remastered version on the way as of this review, we recommend watching with LG OLED's Perfect Black technology to give you the look and feel of being in the audience. When you do, you'll literally feel the urge to reach out and touch faith.
(<a href="https://boxd.it/4SZOZD" rel="nofollow">Originally published on LG OLED's Letterboxd</a>)