U2 3D (partially found IMAX concert film; 2008)

Theatrical release poster.

Status: Partially Found

U2 3D is a 2008 American-produced 3D concert film featuring rock band U2 performing during the Vertigo Tour in 2006. It was released theatrically in the United States on January 23rd, 2008, and internationally on February 22nd, 2008, grossing $26.2 million.

History

Photo of the Mexico City concert used in the film.

The film depicts a U2 concert performed in Buenos Aires during the Vertigo Tour. In order to get all the needed camera angles and coverage, the film was actually shot over the course of 9 months in Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Melbourne^[1], with a full set being performed in Buenos Aires with no audience and for the sole purpose of getting close-ups. The film was the first of its kind in many respects, being the first live-action digital 3D film^[2], the first ever 3D multi-camera production^[3], the first 3D film shot using a zoom lens^[4], the first recorded use of a 3D camera on a Spydercam system^[5], the first 3D film to feature composite images with more than two layers^[6], and the first ever 3D concert film^[7].

Availability

U2 were committed to preserving the film's 3D format and decided to only release it in digital 3D^[8]. An unfinished draft of U2 3D was first screened at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival on May 19th, 2007^[9] before the final version was screened at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival^[10]. The film was released into IMAX theaters in the United States and Canada on January 23rd, 2008^[11], and was released worldwide on February 22nd, 2008^[12].

U2 performed a brief set at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival prior to the film's preview screening.

The film has also had select limited runs in theaters as recently as 2012.

A 2015 re-release in Spain was accompanied by a press release stating that U2 3D is licensed exclusively for theatrical release and will not be distributed on television, internet, or other home video formats^[13]. U2 has stated that, since they control the rights along with their label Universal Music Group, U2 3D will not be released on any home video formats until home video technology can meet the same digital 3D standards as cinema^[14].

Recordings

During the March 2nd, 2003 performance in Buenos Aires, the Argentinian television station Telefe performed a live broadcast of the concert in its entirety and recorded it for a local DVD release^[15].

Additionally, during the initial release in 2007 as well as during subsequent limited runs, several in-theater recordings of various parts have surfaced online, and are listed in the gallery below: