Buddy Rich: Jazz Legend (1995)

Nearly everyone in this 2 1/2-hour documentary takes pains to explain that Buddy Rich was more sensitive than the despicable brute he seemed on the bandstand. However, it's that angry energy that animates his virtuosity. Despite the wide time period explored in Buddy Rich: Jazz Legend — part one covers Rich's sideman days with Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, and Harry James; part two focuses on the big band he led in his last two decades — the audio and visual quality is sharp, particularly on the '70s clips, in which you can't miss the pools of sweat forming on Rich's drumheads. B+