Queen Budapest, the band's final filmed live performance with Freddie Mercury, has been restored in 4K by Peter Jackson’s team for its 40th anniversary and will be released in cinemas and IMAX this autumn. Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor announced the project, which captures the iconic concert at Budapest’s Népstadion on July 27, 1986.
The Historic Concert
Forty years ago, Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon took their The Magic Tour to Budapest, making them the first Western rock band to play behind the Iron Curtain. The show sold out 80,000 tickets, with 45,000 people listening outside, and fans traveled from as far as Russia to attend. Filmed on 35mm by 17 cameras, Queen Budapest was the sixth and final concert the band played live together with Freddie Mercury, making it the last filmed live performance of the band as a four.
Quotes from the Band and Peter Jackson
Sir 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. It felt like a very big deal – you could feel that incredible energy. There will never be an event quite like that again. Perhaps the most memorable highlight of all was performing that beautiful Hungarian folk song, which Freddie and I had learned for the occasion. Not a dry eye!”
He added of the restoration: “Peter Jackson’s team have done a magnificent job of restoring the original film footage, at the highest resolution ever; it's pristine and the quality is breathtaking. I think you’re going to love it. For the sound, we’ve been able to do some top-quality restoration work as well. Now, in IMAX and movie theatres, it’s going to be definitively the most real experience ever of us, Queen, in our glory days. I think people will get lost in it and even forget they're watching a film. The image quality is wonderful. You’ll feel like you’re there. In IMAX, it is going to be colossal.”
Roger Taylor said: “We did love to think that the music could transcend the politics, the political barriers, and that was sort of part of our ethos, to actually bring the audience into the show and make them feel part of the show. I know Freddie tried to learn this folk song, but he had the words written phonetically on the back of his hand. When the audience just started singing, we realised, wow, music really can be a great cause.”
Peter Jackson added: “As long time fans of Queen we were thrilled when they asked Park Road Post to restore the Budapest Concert footage. It has been a rare privilege to breathe new life into such an iconic moment in music history. We look forward to a whole new audience participating in the original band’s final live performance, captured on film. They will rock you!!!”
Release Details
Queen Budapest hits cinemas and IMAX for a limited time only from October 7. Additionally, 3LP, 2CD, digital, DVD and Blu-ray versions are available to pre-order for release on October 30.
