Watch Johnny Cash - Live at Montreux

Johnny Cash - Live at Montreux is a musical documentary featuring a performance by Johnny Cash and his band at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1994. The concert was originally recorded for television and released on DVD in 2005. The film opens with a montage of shots of the Swiss town of Montreux and its famous jazz festival, with a voiceover explaining the festival's history and significance. We then see Johnny Cash and his band walking onto the stage to rapturous applause, with Cash dressed in his trademark black suit and white shirt. He starts the show with a rousing version of "Folsom Prison Blues", backed by his longtime guitarist Bob Wootton and bassist Dave Rowe.

Over the course of the next 90 minutes, Cash performs a mix of his classic hits, newer material, and covers of songs by other artists. He switches between acoustic and electric guitar, and even plays the piano on a few numbers. His voice is slightly rougher than it was in his prime, but still powerful and full of emotion.

One of the highlights of the concert is the performance of "Ring of Fire", which features Cash's son John Carter Cash on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. Cash introduces the song by telling the story of how he wrote it for his future wife, June Carter, and how it became one of his biggest hits. The crowd sings along enthusiastically as Cash and Carter trade verses.

Another standout moment is Cash's rendition of the traditional hymn "In the Sweet By and By", which he dedicates to his mother and father, who had recently passed away. Cash's voice is gentle and tender as he sings the song's haunting melody, accompanied only by Wootton's guitar.

The band really gets to shine on the instrumental number "Orange Blossom Special", with Wootton and Rowe trading solos on guitar and bass respectively, backed by Roger Clark on drums. The song starts slowly, building in intensity until the band is playing at full tilt, with Cash shouting out encouragements to his bandmates.

Cash's between-song banter is entertaining and often humorous, with him cracking jokes about his own age and the sometimes nonsensical lyrics of his songs. He also takes the time to pay tribute to some of his musical heroes, including Hank Williams and Elvis Presley.

The concert ends with a rousing version of "I Walk the Line", with Cash strumming his guitar and singing the iconic lyrics about staying true to oneself. The audience gives him a standing ovation as he and his band bow and exit the stage.

Overall, Johnny Cash - Live at Montreux is a must-see for fans of the legendary singer-songwriter. It's a powerful reminder of his talent, charisma, and enduring appeal, even in the later years of his career. The film captures the energy and excitement of a live show, with some standout performances and plenty of crowd-pleasing moments. Anyone who loves classic country music or just great music in general should check it out.

Johnny Cash - Live at Montreux is a 2005 music movie with a runtime of 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.