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While many rock bands have snatched their 15 minutes of fame then wilted into obscurity - or, worse still, attempted to recapture past glories by leaping on the reunion bandwagon - The Rolling Stones have defiantly refused to gather moss for more than 45 years.

Constant run-ins with the law and widely publicised divisions in the band fuelled a reputation as the bad boys of rock 'n'roll, setting them apart from chart rivals The Beatles during the British Invasion of the 1960s.

Throughout the various trials and tribulations, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood have continued to make chart-topping albums and, in recent years, entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest-grossing concert tour of all time.

Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese takes a brief respite from the mean streets of New York to celebrate the enduring appeal of The Rolling Stones in this unique concert film.

Shot on 16 cameras in autumn 2006 at the Beacon Theater in New York City, Shine a Light puts the audience in the front row of an electrifying concert with guest appearances from Jack White of The White Stripes (on Loving Cup), legendary blues and rock guitarist Buddy Guy (Champagne and Reefers) and chart-topping songbird Christina Aguilera (Live with Me).

The concert begins with a storming rendition of Jumpin' Jack Flash, which would be an apt description for Jagger, whose energy onstage is phenomenal.

Every two or three songs, Scorsese cuts away to an obvious array of archive footage.

An early appearance on Michael Parkinson's chat-show sees the lead singer optimistically decree, "I think we're set up pretty well for another year," followed by an excerpt from a 1972 television interview with Dick Cavett.

"Can you picture yourself at the age of 60 doing what you do?" asks the host.

"Oh yeah, easily," grins Jagger. Cut straight to more energetic stage posturing at the Beacon Theater.

The lead singer takes a well-deserved break during the second hour, leaving Ronnie and Keith to entertain the masses with You Got the Silver and Connection.

Mick returns to the auditorium in suitably camp fashion, woo-wooing on Sympathy for the Devil as the concert moves towards its grand finale and an unnecessarily showy flourish from Scorsese, there to remind us that he is in charge.

If you're not an ardent fan of The Rolling Stones then the lack of many of the big hits will make the two-hour running time feel like a slog.

You won't get no satisfaction from live renditions of Angie, Get Off Of My Cloud, Honky Tonk Women, Paint It Black or Wild Horses.

As they wander off stage to rapturous applause, one of the group seems to mumble, "Well, I think that went all right," which seems a fair analysis of Scorsese's film.

10:12am Thursday 10th April 2008

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