When you hear about bands performing with a symphony, the music is normally prog rock. The Moody Blues and Procol Harum pioneered this mixing of classical and electrical. But what if I told you on August 13, 2021, the Wu-Tang Clan teamed up with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and elevated the Shaw Brothers masterpiece 36 Chambers of Shaolin? It happened. Making it even more important is the show took place at the Red Rocks Amphitheater. This is the same venue where the Moody Blues teamed up with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra to give a deeper concert experience in ’92. But Moody Blues didn’t bring the cinematic element. A Wu-Tang Experience – Live At Red Rocks Amphitheater captures the night and explores what went into the event.
The documentary isn’t just the show. It opens with the members talking about the group and why they took on this challenge to create a live soundtrack for the Gordon Liu movie. The majestic Red Rocks has the stage set up with the movie screen in the back, the symphony in the middle and Wu Tang at the front. They remix the opening fanfare of the Shaw Brothers logo. Gordon Liu’s prelude workout out gets accompanied by “Protect Ya Neck” from their Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers album. The crowd is way into this collaboration. “Can It Be All So Simple” is next. Method Man appropriately kicks in with “Bring Da Pain.” The group’s biggest songs get the same treatment during the concert. The RZA gets into his love of Shaw Brothers films including him hosting festivals at Alamo theaters. There’s more tales from the members about the group and their experience. RZA explains the importance of 36 Chambers of the Shaolin and Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon are to his view of life. You get the full picture of Wu Tang which is helpful if you’re only familiar with their music. This is the Wu Tang manifesto in less than 90 minutes.
What’s amazing about A Wu-Tang Experience: Live At Red Rocks Amphitheater is that it ran on PBS. That’s right, the same PBS that constantly ran Peter Paul and Mary in concert during pledge week is now down with the Wu Tang. I don’t know if you could get a Wu Tang vs Sesame Street tote bag for a donation. While it seems a bit of a culture clash, the concert is a perfect example of what PBS is about. The film brings together the audience for classical music, classic Hong Kong cinema and classic rap in one stunning night. Like Sesame Street, Wu Tang is for the Children. Like PBS, Wu Tang is for the people.
The Video is 1.78:1. This was shot on HD video so it looks sharp as you take in the beauty of Red Rocks. The Audio is DTS-HD MA 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0. Crank up the speakers to feel the power of Wu Tang with a symphony. The movie is subtitled in English.
Behind the Scenes (4:49) has Wu Tang and the symphony working out to create the sound and match it up with the martial arts film clips. We get a view of Red Rock in the daytime. This was a massive undertaking.
Photo Gallery is over 90 photos from the event.
Breaking Glass Pictures present A Wu-Tang Experience: Live At Red Rocks Amphitheater. Directed by The RZA & Gerald K. Barclay. Written by The RZA. Starring The RZA, The GZA, Method Man, Cappadonna, U-God, Raekwon Da Chef, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck and Gordon Liu. Running Time: 87 minutes. Rating: Unrated. Release Date: August 8, 2025.
