The ABBA Story - The Winner Takes It All [1999]

Initially labelled as just another trashy Eurovision act following their win with "Waterloo" in 1974, the group confounded their critics by emerging as a credible musical team with superior songwriting abilities. Following a few years of mass adoration the punters got tired, and for most of the 1980s the group, along with their fans, were forced into years of hibernation and denial. Luckily a new dawn rose in the early 1990s with the emergence of ABBA tribute bands such as Bjorn Again, the appropriation of the group's music in the movies Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Muriel's Wedding, and the global success of the ABBA Gold greatest hits collection.

This documentary successfully manages to piece together both the public and private side of the group, through the use of interview excerpts and video footage. The DVD also contains exclusive interviews with all four members of the band for the first time since their split. Reflecting on the intricate nature of their music, as well as the elevation of their compositions to the heady heights of pop classics, the documentary concludes with behind-the-scenes footage of preparations for the ABBA-inspired West End stage show Mamma Mia!. This is a must for all ABBA fans, as well as those wishing to discover the heritage of one of the world's greatest pop groups.

On The DVD: although boasting 30 minutes of extra footage, interviews and music, this release is basically an extended version of the television documentary (of the same name) broadcast in 1999. The DVD version of the programme has been segmented into 20 chapters, labelled with names of classic ABBA tunes, which reflect the themes of particular parts of the narrative. Unfortunately all of the additional DVD footage has been subsumed into the documentary and cannot be accessed individually. There are no other extra DVD features (not even subtitles), and the main menu only allows access to the individual chapters. --John Galilee

Even Agnetha, who shies away from the glare of the public eye is seen for the first time in years and her words tell of a much mis-understood lady.

The successful London musical Mamma Mia is also seen with exclusive clips of the backstage preparation of its initial launch.

But the lasting memories from this video are the excellent tracks and the views of the stars of the band's history and its subsequent demise - this all balanced with the resurgence of ABBA- mania in the 1990's. Their music stands the test of time remaining undated.

A real insight into the mystery of ABBA shown in glorious widescreen for the viewer to appreciate in full digital quality.


Don't buy it !   March 3, 2002
20 out of 22 found this review helpful

ABBA and their fans deserve more than one DVD. This is the first one on the European market and I only give one star. The documentary is very well done (except the fact that it was made to launch the musical MAMMA MIA !) but where are the foreign subtitles ? Where is the 'special features' section ? Not even a photo gallery ! Nothing ! Some fantastic footage from the early 70's are included in the documentary but sometimes only 30 seconds. Why didn't they add the full versions as a bonus ? The DVD version is the same as the VHS version. Why ? Universal and Video Vision Ltd should do their job properly. But they don't care of the ABBA fans at all. They only want to make a lot of 'money, money, money'. They could earn more money with good and interesting items ! When I see the great work which is done around The Beatles' and Elvis Presley's material I feel a bit depressed. Poor ABBA ! They are the second best selling group in the music history, after The Beatles, and there's only one bad DVD available!...


An excellent video for all to enjoy.   December 30, 2000
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

This is an excellent video telling the story of the four members of ABBA, from their respective showbiz beginnings through to the present day. This is the first time that all four members of ABBA have agreed to record an interview together since the split-up in 1982, and, as a generation 2 ABBA fan (I wasn't around first time) I found it interesting hearing the story in the Swedes' own words.

The other good inclusions are rare video footage (for example, a very youthful ABBA performing Waterloo in Swedish before their Eurovision selection committee); the chance to hear from ABBA's behind-the-scenes crew - people who worked alongside the group; and the so-very-Swedish candid nature with which the four discuss both their successes and their failures, their strengths and their weaknesses. Having modern-day celebrities offer their take on events also helps make this video accessible to the younger audience.

The big drawback on this video is Agnetha. Agnetha retired to Sweden in 1988 and supposedly no longer speaks English well. She refused to be interviewed on camera, but instead agreed to record an audio interview and to let the crew shoot some pictures of her in her home and neighbourhood. This is a shame as Agnetha in many ways was ABBA's face and that she chooses to hide it now detracts from what the video tries to accomplish.

Still, I give this video five stars, and you should buy it for no other reason than to listen to Frida Lyngstad's Swedish accent (watch out for her pronunciation of "a specific track") A video to stick in the cupboard and bring out when you have an afternoon or evening to kill. Enjoy!


"Abba Story, The Winner takes it all" good for what it is...   May 16, 2004
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

I was given a copy of this as a birthday present. I had seen this when it was originally aired on television a year or two ago.

I would have to agree with a previous reviewer, that if you want to know about the making of the musical "Mamma Mia" this DVD is a fine starting point. However, if you want to know more about Abba, this DVD is not going to fill too many gaps in your lack of knowledge. I found the interviews with Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha, and Frida to be too short, where surely there should have been more time devoted to them and the magic they created as a group!

Would I have bought this for myself? Sasdly the answer is no.


A bit to be desired   October 21, 2003
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is the extended version of a TV documentary about Abba shown in 1999 at the time of Mamma Mia's opening in London. The original TV show was presented off camera by John Gordon-Sinclair. This longer version - with John Gordon-Sinclair's voiceover mysteriously replaced by Neil Pearson - was previously available on VHS. The DVD version has no additional content. While not surprising, this is still a disappointment.

As for the content itself, interviews with and footage of the group members about Abba are what makes this interesting (including early material from Swedish TV), especially the voice of Agnetha, even if she is simply reading parts from the English version of her book Som Jag Ar. Unfortunately, and perhaps cynically, much of the programme is about Mamma Mia. This is of scant interest, and the inclusion of Steps and Bjorn Again unnecessary. Pete Waterman's talking head is an irritation.

With so much footage still not released, eg Abba's appearances on the Olivia Newton-John TV special from 1978, the Music for UNICEF concert, and many other appearances, performances and interviews, it is a pity that this release has so much padding which has nothing to do with the group. I can only hope that future releases will meet fans' demands. This does not include the ITV show featuring celebrities and Pop acts covering Abba songs. This dreadful show should be consigned to oblivion. Denise Van Outen's performance of Gimme Gimme Gimme is a punishment.