Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, directed by D. A. Pennebaker, is a concert film shot on July 3, 1973, at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, documenting the last night David Bowie performed his Ziggy Stardust alter ego. During the show, Bowie suddenly announced from the stage that it would be the band's last show; drummer Woody Woodmansey and bassist Trevor Bolder had no idea it was coming and were stunned, while guitarist Mick Ronson and manager Tony Defries had known in advance. Guitarist Jeff Beck joined for the encore, performing The Jean Genie and Around and Around alongside Bowie, but at Beck's own request those performances were cut from the film's original edit. The film first screened at the Edinburgh Film Festival in 1979, with a full theatrical release following in 1983; for the concert's fiftieth anniversary, the film was restored in 4K with Jeff Beck's footage reinstated. Who it's for: anyone curious about a concert film documenting a historic night when David Bowie suddenly retired an alter ego on stage, catching even part of his own band off guard. Who it's not for: those wanting the complete performance as originally released, since Jeff Beck's contribution was cut for years and only restored in the 2023 version.