The forthcoming Bruce Springsteen documentary "The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town" opens with spare but powerful imagery: black and white footage of a young Springsteen working in the studio on his landmark 1978 album "Darkness on the Edge of Town." The film will air on HBO in October -- about the time Springsteen plans to release a deluxe edition of the disc -- and screen as part of the prestigious Gala section of the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14th.

Rolling Stone recently spoke to Thom Powers, the Toronto festival's documentary programmer. "Lots of rock & roll movies are about something [besides artistry] -- substance abuse, ego problems or the glamour of being a rock star," Powers explains. "What's missing from those films is an emphasis on what makes us interested in this artist, their creative process. The strength of this movie is that is just concentrates on the making of just one album. There's not even much concert footage." (It's been widely reported that Edward Norton will interview Springsteen at the Toronto Film Festival. Powers, however, can't yet comment on that.)

The doc combines the studio footage -- previously unknown to fans -- with present-day interviews with main members of the band, including Danny Federici before he passed away. (Patti Smith is also interviewed in the movie, discussing how she co-wrote "Because the Night" with Springsteen.) "What really struck me about these interviews is the vivid sense of recall that they have," says Powers. "You don't get the feeling that these are the same old stories they've polished up for the press all the time -- especially with Springsteen. He gave long interviews for the film and just about everything he says is really interesting."

Powers points out a special bonus for fans of the music: a trove of original studio recordings. "In the video footage there are scenes of Bruce Springsteen and Steve Van Zandt improvising songs you've never heard before," he says. "Making use of the audio tracks you really get a sense of how those songs came together.

This could be awesome.

Never heard it, and if the doc is done well, I'm sure that'll change shortly thereafter

Never heard it

top 20 record all time. cant wait.

If this is on par with the Born to Run doc that came with the 30th anniversary reissue I'd be happy.

What the hell is the matter with you?

If this is on par with the Born to Run doc that came with the 30th anniversary reissue I'd be happy.

Sounds like it could be even more in depth and revealing.

Hoping for the best......

Ah, marketing music in the post-record company era...It seems like everything now comes with a dvd or something extra.

yeah, but most of those extras or DVDs FAIL...they're boring and unnecessary...the BTR documentary actually had a bit of insight, and the london show it came with is fucking amazing.

yeah, but most of those extras or DVDs FAIL...they're boring and unnecessary...the BTR documentary actually had a bit of insight, and the london show it came with is fucking amazing.

Agreed and this was also for what is generally considered a Top 20 of ALL TIME album and was essentially a box set. I think it's earned a few extras.

Also, I can't remember the last time I bought an album with "extras". FIrst one that comes to mind is "Worlds Apart" by And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead (had a dvd) and that was five years ago. If anything, I think the trend has gone away from that as bands go to smaller labels and it's more cost effective. Certainly indie bands that I tend to sway towards.