Because apparently retirement is just a suggestion, and the remaster economy remains undefeated, we’re being treated to yet another deluxe edition of a classic concert film – Queen Budapest, the first Western stadium rock show to take place behind the Iron Curtain. This time, it’s been meticulously restored in 4K from the original filmed 35mm footage and will be presented in cinemas and IMAX worldwide from 7 October through Trafalgar Releasing. Nature is healing, and another deluxe edition has appeared, just in time to separate fans from their hard-earned cash. Somewhere, a record label executive felt a disturbance in the royalties, no doubt rubbing their hands together in glee.
The concert, which took place on 27 July 1986, at Budapest’s Népstadion, during the band’s The Magic Tour, was a groundbreaking moment, as Queen became the first Western rock band to perform behind the Iron Curtain during a period of profound cultural and political change. It’s also the last filmed live performance of the band with Freddie Mercury, showing the band at the height of their powers as a live act. The film captures the band performing iconic hits such as We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, A Kind Of Magic, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Under Pressure, Who Wants To Live Forever, Hammer To Fall, and Bohemian Rhapsody, as well as an acoustic arrangement of the traditional Hungarian folk song Tavaszi Szél Vizet Áraszt.
The Story Behind the Concert
It would have been impossible to imagine that Queen would go on to play only a further five shows, ending forever their touring days with Freddie only one month later, with their final show played at Knebworth Park in England on 9 August 1986. For Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor, the show in Budapest wasn’t just another date on what was a huge tour for the band, it held much deeper meaning. Brian May said, “For years, fans behind the Iron Curtain had been able to listen to Queen music only on illegal cassettes. It was a forbidden thing to listen to rock bands like us, so to see them play in a live show would have been unthinkable. This concert, when they could finally come and see us live in person and interact with us, was a huge emotional moment for them and also for us.”
Restoration and Release
The 4K restoration of Queen Budapest will have its world premiere at the Budapest Classics Film Marathon on 15 September, hosted by the National Film Institute of Hungary, as part of the festival’s programme celebrating restored and rediscovered cinema. A UK premiere will take place in London on 30 September, with further details to follow. The film will be released globally in cinemas and IMAX from 7 October for a limited time only, in partnership with Trafalgar Releasing. Tickets will be on sale later this summer, and fans are encouraged to sign up at the official website for further information and to be alerted when pre-sale tickets are available.
The Soundtrack and Home Release
The soundtrack, newly remixed from the original multitrack by Queen’s studio team, will be released alongside the Blu-Ray, DVD, CD & Digital editions as a 3LP vinyl set for the very first time. Pre-order is available now. Because nobody truly retires in this industry, they merely wait for the 40th anniversary edition, and the farewell tour count has officially entered scientific notation. Music historians are preparing fresh shelves for the box set, and a vinyl pressing plant somewhere just burst into tears. It’s just another day in the never-ending cycle of reunion tours, anniversary box sets, and deluxe editions. The remaster economy remains undefeated, and we’re all just along for the ride.
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