Imax and Pathé Live in partnership with Mercury Studios and Queen Films will release Queen Rock Montreal globally for four days in January digitally remastered for Imax.
The film of a live concert in Montreal in November of 1981, directed by the late Saul Swimmer, will hit 450+ Imax locations globally for four days starting Jan. 18 in the UK, Canada, France, Germany, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico and other markets — showcasing Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon performing “We Will Rock You”, “Somebody To Love”, “Under Pressure”, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Another One Bites the Dust”, “We Are The Champions”, and songs from album The Game.
“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. 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,” said Brian May.
Added Roger Taylor, “Enjoy. We were young!”
The film captures a pivotal moment in the band’s history when Queen returned for the fourth time to Montreal’s 18,000-seat Forum for two shows Nov. 24 and 25, 1981. They’d become a massive global sensation fueled by the release of The Game and single “Under Pressure”. It follows a highly successful re-release this year of the Talking Heads 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense by A24, which premiered at Imax theaters. AMC Entertainment has Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour film and upcoming Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé.
Executive producers include Geoff Kempin and Alice Webb for Mercury Studios and Jim Beach and Matilda Beach for Queen Films.