George Michael Faith Tour Movie Review

Introduction

Some concert films capture a performance, while others transport audiences back to a defining moment in music history.

George Michael: The Faith Tour does both, bringing previously unseen footage from 1988 back to cinemas.

This restored concert film celebrates one of pop music’s most charismatic performers at the height of his fame.

Directed by Andy Morahan and David Austin, the 2026 release captures two performances at Paris’s Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy.

Originally filmed in May 1988, the footage has been restored from its original 35mm negatives. The result is an immersive cinematic experience that brings George Michael’s legendary Faith Tour to life.

Released in UK cinemas on 6 November 2026, the 113-minute film also arrives in IMAX. It offers longtime fans a remarkable opportunity to revisit these performances.

Younger audiences can also discover why Michael became such an extraordinary live performer.

Rediscovering a Musical Time Capsule

The footage itself tells quite a story. In 1988, Michael had 14 cameramen filming for two nights in Paris. However, unlike most concerts at that time, this was recorded onto 35mm film.

Interestingly this footage was actually originally intended to be used for promotional purposes on his single Monkey.

The full audio of the concert had also been captured by a local radio station. This led to the restoration of the footage we see today.

The original negatives were found and scanned by long time collaborators Andy Morahan and David Austin with Mercury Studios.

The restoration has kept the natural grain, colours and detail of the original film. As such, there is not an overly modern feel to the transfer.

The film opens with a short prequel called Finding Faith. Directed by Mary McCartney, this uses rare photo’s, behind the scenes footage and unreleased interview audio to show how Michael moved from Wham! to becoming a worldwide solo superstar.

This gives some great context but does not make it a traditional documentary.

Andy Morahan and David Austin Bring Paris Back to Life

Morahan and Austin have created beautiful visuals throughout. Wide shots are used to give the feeling of the huge arena and the excited fans, but close up shots are used to show Michael’s facial expressions and his physicality.

A great choice was putting the cameras in amongst the crowd to give the feeling of actually being there.

The cinematography has been greatly improved due to it being restored from the original 35mm. The film looks very crisp and clear with natural colours and great detail.

The IMAX format really helps improve the cinematography. The massive screen makes the arena feel even bigger while the surround sound makes the audience feel like they are right there.

One of the most eye-catching features is the crowd. Before smartphones and modern concert screens, the audience would light up the arena using cigarette lighters. It gives a lovely nostalgic feel seeing thousands of people singing along.

George Michael at the Height of His Powers

Without a doubt, the main draw of George Michael: The Faith Tour is George Michael himself. He has an incredible voice, great stage presence and a lot of physical energy, able to switch between high-energy pop songs to heartfelt ballads.

Even more impressive is his ability to interact with such a big audience. He is able to dance, run around the stage and engage with the crowd but still maintain his vocal ability. He has a natural confidence that makes it hard to look away.

This film really showcases how versatile Michael was as a solo artist. He has some upbeat songs that really highlight his likeable stage persona but also some incredible emotional songs such as One More Try and A Different Corner.

There is so much focus on his incredible voice. Thanks to the remastered sound we are shown how clear, strong and expressive his voice really is. It is also nice to see him not have any fancy effects to help him put on such an intense performance.

Also, the video feels extra special as Michael did not seem to know that there was going to be a full concert film. This means that his performances feel genuine.

He is not constantly trying to acknowledge the cameras and is very focused on entertaining the audience.

The Power of the IMAX Experience

This is such a great experience to see this film on the largest screen possible. The film has been restored using the original 35mm film which means there are some stunning visuals. The sound from the arena adds to the performances.

It really does feel like you are at the actual concert. The crowd reactions have been included which gives more energy to the music.

The film is a fascinating look back at how different live music used to be. There are no phone screens getting in the way and there are not any modern distractions. It focuses purely on the connection between the artist and crowd.

This will definitely be a very emotional experience for long time fans. It will also give younger people an insight into why Michael was so popular. His talent is still very evident after decades.

What Works and What Does Not

The real strong point of this documentary is that it feels authentic. The archive footage has been restored perfectly and shows us a time in George’s life where he was at the height of his career.

His singing, dancing and natural charm makes this an enjoyable watch throughout.

The restoration of the footage has been done well. The 35mm footage looks great and the audio mixing helps bring the original performances to life. Morahan and Austin know when to show the full scale of the arena and when to focus on George.

Mary McCartney’s opening film gives us some good background into George’s life and how important the Faith period was for him becoming a solo artist. But this is not the highlight of the documentary.

This could leave some people feeling unsatisfied. Once the five minute intro is over there really is not much more history given to us. There are not any lengthy interviews or reflections on what the tour meant.

If you are looking for a standard musical documentary then this may not be for you. The film assumes you already know a bit about George’s career and the songs he is playing.

But ultimately this is a concert film so it’s not looking to give you a full biography. It is there to showcase the performances.

Final Verdict

George Michael: The Faith Tour is a wonderful celebration of an exceptional performer. The restored 35mm footage, immersive IMAX presentation and pristine sound make this an essential experience for fans.

Most importantly, it reminds audiences why Michael remains one of pop music’s greatest talents.

For anyone who appreciates his music, this is a rare opportunity to experience a legendary concert as though it were happening again.