User Reviews

I was a bit skeptical about the fan stories at the beginning, but I had to realize it made the movie much more special than just a concert film . All the stories were unique and different from each other , some of them were really emotional, the others were inspiring. The concert itself was obviously brilliant, Dave made an outstanding performance as always and so are the others. I really loved the entire build up of the movie, showing a bit of the fans, then showing a bit of the concert back and forth during the entire movie. It's a must see to every Depeche Mode fan, wherever you're a hardcore fan or someone who just go into their music, because this movie will make you appreciate their music much better.

As a die hard fan up until Ultra I didn't expect much from their live performance but was pleasantly surprised and am very impressed with how much this band still gives. I found the fans' stories very moving and drove the story to feel more like a movie than just a concert film, beautifully shot by Anton Corbin. My friend who was more a casual fan before watching this absolutely loved it and is now an official Devotee

November 21, 2019 may remain in history for several reasons. One of them is the fact that on this day, the premiere of the documentary 'Spirits in the Forest' took place simultaneously in many cities around the world, The event that inspired the film is the concert of the group Depeche Mode that took place in Berlin in 2017 as part of their Global Spirit Tour. The information provided by the event organizers indicates that these screenings are intended to be unique events with the public, so I can consider myself lucky because our local cinematheque was one of the locations where the documentary was screened. If indeed the public screenings will be limited, even for a while, this movie has a chance to become, at least for the Depeche Mode's enthusiastic fans audience, another item in the series of cult objects that support the band's fame, beyond its musical merits.

The film makers chose a structure different from that of other musical documentaries. They did not present the concert from start to end, and did not include behind the scenes information or expert comments about the musicians and their music. Instead they chose to focus on the lives of six fans of the band from six different places in the world - Mongolia, Colombia, United States, Romania, France and Germany - all coming to Berlin to see their idols. They went into their biographies and listened to testimonies about how Depeche Mode's music influenced their lives. One of the women had been suffering from cancer and the group's music accompanied her long and painful hours of treatment. The man in Colombia was separated from the two teenage children and part of their connection was to create music videos in which they played the band's music. The young woman from Mongolia had learned English using the texts of the group's songs. Of course it is only a sample, but it can also be a key to understanding why tens of thousands of spectators, sometimes coming from all over the world, gather in halls or stadiums to experience such events.

There is a risk that the fans of music documentaries and filmed concerts will be disappointed. For example, I'm not a fan of Depeche Mode, and I didn't find out much about the band in this movie. It seemed strange to me to subtitle the dialogues although all the interviewees spoke clear and impeccable English, but not the texts of the songs. The music of course eventually captivates and is well filmed, but it was not the focus. 'Spirits in the Forest' is a movie less about Depeche Mode and more about some of the fans of the group.

I enjoyed the movie a lot. It's a very strange experience to see your favourite band at the cinema. I'm used to seeing them in arenas playing live. The individual stories of the six fans picked from sea of devotees were touching. One criticism though is that I thought the film was too short. I think the whole audience was a bit surprised when it came to an end and the credits rolled. Everyone stayed in their seats, just in case there was more to come. I wanted to see more live footage (although I understand that the full show will be coming out next year in a physical format - dvd) and wanted to delve more into these people's lives. Each one different, each one simple in its own way, just reminding us that all stories are worth telling however big or small. They all highlighted what it is to be human, the emotions we feel through the turmoils we encounter in our lives, some more serious than others. And THAT is the connection to Depeche Mode. Their music depicts what it is like to be and feel human. No emotion is left behind. Their music covers pretty much the whole repertoire of emotions and that's why people relate to them. Their music tells us that it's ok to feel even the darkest emotions as they're all part of life. Through Depeche Mode one learns acceptance; of others, but most importantly of oneself. A lot like therapy, but so much more exciting.

The movie shows what an impact Depeche mode can have on their fans and how loyal they can be. Only true devotees can fully appreciate the movie as only they will relive the feelings from DM concerts. But also other people might get a lot out of the movie if they don't expect something that this movie is not.

DM fan? Go and see the movie.

I'm a mega fan of DM and have been since I was in the sixth grade. While most kids my age were listening to horrible teen pop that all sounded the same, I was listening to the GOOD stuff! And, since that time, DM (and other artists in their genre) have been my absolute favorites. To the true fan such as myself, DM can do no wrong, even when they seem to be a little bit "off." While I greatly appreciated "Spirits in the Forest," I did personally feel the film was a little bit "off." Why? Well, all 6 of the fans profiled were seeing DM in concert in Berlin, Germany. I think, for the most part, the concert footage was from that exact show. BUT - there were times when Dave was shown wearing different outfits. Having seen DM in concert MANY times, he does not change his outfit! So, I wish the concert footage was a little more authentic than it actually was. Also, some fans were featured more heavily than others. I personally thought Indra from Mongolia was the most interesting fan, and she was barely featured as compared to the others. I really wanted to hear more about her story. Perhaps that desire was personal - she was a little younger than me when she first discovered DM. DM is not a "kids" band, so I'm always intrigued about how people such as myself got into the band at very young ages, when they "should" be listening to other music.

This was my first experience seeing a DM movie in the theater, and, I must say, it was GREAT to see it with other mega fans. It was almost as if we were at a concert, people were singing along and clapping - on the edge of being up out of their seats to dance! The cinematic shortcomings in this film certainly won't stop the true fans from immensely enjoying it. DM is one of those bands where you sometimes feel like you're the only person you know who is a mega fan. This film reminded me that there are others out there just like me. DM is a band that means so much to so many people around the world!

I am a huge fan of DM. I had high expectations and this film delivered in a big way. As a fan I can relate to how each one of the fans showcased in the film felt about this amazing band. DM has touched many lives around the world through their music. It was a pleasure to sit back and watch this movie.

As the movie ended, not a single person stood up to leave. We all wanted an encore! We were all waiting for an encore!

This movie really gets into the depths of the power of music and especially Depeche Mode. Most of us take for granted that we can listen to anything we want any time we want. The people chosen for this film sometimes had to get to extreme measures just to listen to the awesome music of DM. The stories told by the people in the movie really made this a lot better than "101", which I absolutely love. I saw this tour in Dallas and it took me right back to that night with the concert footage. The German crowd were amazing as well. The scenes with all their arms waving side to side above their heads was absolutely beautiful. Loved it....GO SEE IT!!

Spirit in the forest is everything Anton Corbijn promised and more from taking us into the lives of the 5 fans and their journeys through life and Depeche Mode. Every Depeche Mode fan around the world can relate to some part of the story in someway. Visually the movie is typical Anton with every shot thought about through photographic eyes. The band continue to prove what a force Depeche Mode are late into there fifties, filling stadiums across the globe. Dave has developed into a master story teller on the stage with Martin and the rest of the guys providing the spine to what is Depeche Mode. This is a film for Depeche Mode fans a true reflection of all us and our love for Depeche Mode

Growing up with this band and basically living and breathing them as well as seeing them on many occasions on stage, behind the stage as well as touring after them to many different locations, meeting different cultures, the creativity of people and the whole cult around this band was something the movie just scratched at the surface. Unfortunately is the connection between the band (btw only seen on stage throughout the movie) - and fans very much disjointed in this movie. A meet and great, behind the scenes , maybe? Is it really necessary to tell us a fans live story. Where is the connection to the band? Am I really interested as a DM fan? Yes there have been a couple of short very good examples, worth mentioning the "Romanian king" or the Colombian DMK story, Not enough though. Where are the crazy collectors, the 'look a likes'., the fan stories that still create goosebumps due their similarities to your own...? And that's what this movie should have been all about.

A film aimed at and for Depeche fans of course but it hits the mark perfectly. The stories of the people travelling to attend the last concert of the Global Spirit tour in Berlin are varied, interesting, moving, and inspiring. Their personal backgrounds and individual connections to the bands music is interspersed with footage of that gig, and it makes for an absolute treat for a fan of 35 years like myself. Superbly shot by long time collaborator Anton Corbijn, the film ended in the cinema where I saw it with several "awws", as it finished too soon.

To Modegirl1979 who thought the film was off due to the costume changes she noticed, this may be explained by the fact that the tour closed with not one but two concerts at Waldbühne Berlin on 23 and 25 July. Both nights were filmed and indeed the final cut as shown in the movie is a mixture of both concerts I believe. For example, in the concert of 23 July, Dave Gahan falls to his knees in a praying fashion at the end of the catwalk during NLMDA, but he doesn't on 25 July. On the 23 July he wears the red back waistcoat; on 25 July he wears the blue one.

I am a Depeche Mode fan since my childhood. This documentary takes you there, in stadium, in the 6 fans life. It makes me goosebumps every minute i watch

Excellent movie. DM are piece of art. Their concerts are real masterpieces. The only "negative " thing is that the movie is too short.

Depeche Mode have triumphed as a band for nearly 40 years now. Devotees know who they are and so do many non-Devotees. Unfortunately there are way too many people who know music but have never even heard of Depeche Mode. Yet incredibly when I ask people who have never heard of DM if they've heard of Duran Duran, they usually answer yes right away, even though both bands spawned around the same time.

Well hopefully this documentary will give the band more recognition as one of the greatest bands of our era. The movie follows 6 very different fans from all parts of the world who all come together at Depeche Mode's final concert in Germany on their Global Spirit tour.

We get to see how these 6 fans' lives have been affected by the band and how Depeche Mode is not just a band to these and all of their fans but rather a lifestyle. No interviews are conducted with the band during this film, only truly amazing concert footage captured by one of the best, Anton Corbjn. We get to see DM perform some great songs "live" so if you're a DM fan and for whatever reason were unable to attend one of their concerts on this past tour, it's a must see for you.

For all fans who are not big on Depeche Mode but love another band or artist, you'll be able to relate to the deep love we as fans hold for the ones who bring joy to our lives with their music no matter who your favorite band or artist is. As for those of you who've never heard of Depeche Mode, you might just be shocked at your new discovery.

Overall I think the film was excellent. It wasn't too long. Many great songs were performed by the band, old & new. The stories of the 6 fans were very different & interesting (even powerful) as it shows the power Depeche Mode has had and their effect on people worldwide with lyrics to their songs having meaning (sometimes hidden) about not just love but politics, religion, corporate greed, friendship, suicide, etc. (the list goes on)

Depeche Mode is my favorite band of all time so I'm definitely bias when I say I think they're the greatest band of all time (of my time anyway), definitely the most underrated.

If you love music, ANY MUSIC, I highly recommend seeing Spirits in the Forest.

When will it be on Netflix! Cant wait to see it again and buy on blu ray!

One of the best and most moving documentaries of fans and the band they love I have ever seen. The six fans featured were from a group of over 350 lucky fans that Depeche Mode chose to host their facebook page during the 2017-2018 Global Spirit tour, and I was one of that group, so I could feel what these lucky six felt being chosen and getting to tell their story to the world. The film allows these fans to each show why they are so in love with the band, and with a lot of footage from the final Berlin concert of the Global Spirit tour, where they all were there together. Berlin has been the ultimate concert location in this band's history, and the clips will show you why, an amazing crowd of fans from around the world. You will find joy when Dicken shows his cover band DMK with his children, smile at the photographer and his brother who climbed a mountain to do a photograph like a DM video, sympathize with fans that had limited access to music; and showing these fans when they came together at the concert in Berlin, the most coveted tour location for fans in this band's history. A plus for me as I have talked with a few of these six for years at Home-A Depeche Mode Forum. This film is also a really good preview of the tour video of the band which will be released later on. Anton Corbijn has been doing video for Depeche Mode for a long time, and I felt this was his best work ever for them. For those fans of Depeche Mode, this will hit close to home, as it will bring out your own person feelings about their music and why it is so important in your life. For those new to this band, an excellent look into their music and what makes the fans "tick". As part of this world wide group of devotees, I can say DM fans are unique, they walk their own path; and this show in the stories of each fan. A few things to make you laugh, possibly a few moments of tears, and some really good music. Songs featured include Personal Jesus, Precious, Walking in My Shoes, Never Let Me Down Again, Where's the Revolution, Just Can't Get Enough, Cover Me, Enjoy the Silence and David Bowie's Heroes. I can remember what fun I had during my two days of talking to fans around the world in my facebook takeover in 2018 and getting to share my story, so I could feel that these 6 fans have 100 times more joy in their experience of being in the film, telling their story, and attending one of the best concerts ever for this band still going strong after over 30 years. Highly recommend this. And yes I was singing along with the songs too. Can't wait for the tour video later on.

Firstly I can't believe they totally left out In Your Room, which was the best part of the Global Spirit tour.

Secondly, Metallica got it right with S&M2, which totally captured the atmosphere of the show. Do not watch this if you are hoping to re-live or experience the recently concluded tour. It is a film and I shut my eyes thru many parts of it.

After being unable to attend any of the Spirits in the Forest Tour due to work issues, I was really hoping to see something great at my local cinema. One night only and a fixed time, I'd assumed this was going to be a live performance, but I couldn't have been more wrong. The film was not about Depeche Mode. It was about the personal lives of several fans from different parts of the world. Some scenes of the band performing are shown, but no full songs, using a standard sound system. This has been the first film I've ever walked out of half way through at the cinema. I believe there should have been a warning beforehand that this was not about the band.

I could care less about the 6 or so fans they focus on...None of their lives are all that interesting...The sound was teereible..tbey didnt even finish a complete song.I don't know what they were thing...Dave Gahan looks like a creepy old pervert...bad, just bad

I did not like this film as much as I had hoped I would. Just like the 101 film was disappointing, so too, was this Anton effort. Beautiful fan stories allow for my highest rating. No Martin performances. Fletch is on screen a total of 1 minute. There was no band input, behind the scenes, glimpses of preparation, perspective... nothing. It would have been lovely to see these fans meet their heroes; but no.