Documentarian D.A. Pennebaker (1925-2019) directed some of the most acclaimed music films of all time, including Bob Dylan's Don't Look Back, Stephen Sondheim's Company: Original Cast Album, Chuck Berry's Rock and Roll Music, and Monterey Pop.  He and co-director/wife Chris Hegedus tackled big issues in The War Room (about Bill Clinton's presidential campaign), Town Bloody Hall (billed as "a dialogue on women's liberation"), and Unlocking the Cage (concerning animal rights).  On December 3, Rhino will revisit a classic Pennebaker/Hegedus music documentary, Depeche Mode: 101, in a new box set edition comprising 2 CDs, 2 DVDs, and 1 Blu-ray.  A standalone Blu-ray edition will also be available.

1989's Depeche Mode 101 chronicled the band preparing for the 101st and final concert of its Music for the Masses world tour at Pasadena's Rose Bowl Stadium on June 18, 1988; Pennebaker and Hegedus intertwined the band's story with that of a group of contest winners traveling by bus to the concert.  (The prize was an appearance in a Depeche Mode movie.)  The movie, made with the participation of Depeche Mode, has been hailed as an early example of "reality" filmmaking in its depiction of the relationship between fans and artists.

The film by Pennebaker, Hegedus, and co-director David Dawkins has been upgraded in HD using 4K scans of the original film reels.  The new Blu-ray adds additional performances of "A Question of Lust," "Sacred" and "Something to Do," plus the promotional video for "Everything Counts."  The box set encompasses:

• Restored and expanded Blu-ray presentation of the film;
• The 20-song concert on 2 CDs;
• 2 DVDs replicating the original 2003 DVD release (with bonus features not carried over onto the Blu-ray presentations, including commentary from Pennebaker, Hegedus, Dave Gahan, Martin L. Gore, and Andy Fletcher; plus solo interviews with the band, Mute Records founder Daniel Miller, manager Jonathan Kessler, and fans featured in the footage);
• Double CD of the original live album;
• A 48-page photo book;
• A 16-page Anton Corbijn Photo Mode book as featured in the original album release;
• A 20" x 30" replica of the original U.S. movie poster; and
• A download card providing access to 4K downloads of the film and bonus performances plus 24-bit audio files of the 101 live album.

Chris Hegedus states in the press release, "Depeche Mode 101 is definitely one of our all-time favorite films and one of our favorite filmmaking experiences.  DM 101's parallel realities following the historic tour of this pioneering British band as they storm across America bringing an exciting new sound to the masses, along with an intimate view of a busload of ardent young fans on an unforgettable road trip to the Rose Bowl made this documentary a groundbreaking influence on the reality genre. Making this movie was a grand adventure for both of us...By the end of the tour, we became their biggest fans. We are excited to introduce this new release to audiences."

This fascinating film and accompanying audio returns December 3 from Rhino.  You'll find the track listing and pre-order links below.

Depeche Mode 101 (Rhino, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Blu-ray Only: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Box set includes film on 1 BD and 2 DVDs plus:

Depeche Mode - 101: Live At The Pasadena Rose Bowl, June 19, 1988 (Sire 9 25853-2, 1989)

CD 1

1. Pimpf
2. Behind the Wheel
3. Strangelove
4. Sacred
5. Something to Do
6. Blasphemous Rumors
7. Stripped
8. Somebody
9. Things You Said

CD 2

1. Black Celebration
2. Shake the Disease
3. Nothing
4. Pleasure Little Treasure
5. People Are People
6. A Question of Time
7. Never Let Me Down Again
8. A Question of Lust
9. Master and Servant
10. Just Can't Get Enough
11. Everything Counts