With ‘Mamma Mia’ playing in Mumbai, and crowds thronging to watch the Broadway musical, and over millions the world over having fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that made ‘Mamma MiA’, the ultimate feel – good show, it was obvious that ABBA was instrumental in making the musical such a success. The story telling magic of Abba’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship.

And so we thought it right to bring on the magic of ABBA for this last fortnight of the year. As for this DVD, unless you need to complete your collection of Abba videos ‘Abba Gold: Greatest Hits’, offers up previously unavailable (on DVD) videos for I Have a Dream, Lay All Your Love on Me and the 1992 version of Dancing Queen.

For those who love ABBA (and if you're reading this, chances are you do, even if you don't know it yet), ‘ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits’ represents a happy, joyous compilation of 19 of the Swedish super group’s numerous videos (it omits 13 that were on ‘ABBA: The Definitive Collection’ but adds Lay All Your Love on Me and I Have a Dream).

Granted, they all seem to have been filmed on the same soundstage (even the firelight Fernando), but they retain their appeal and infectious charm. Fans can thrill to these vintage clips, which provide an opportunity to rediscover who was the most natural in front of the camera (Agnetha), who was the best dancer (Anna-Frid, a.k.a. Frida), who was the most demure (Benny), and who was the worst lip-syncher (Bjorn - always Bjorn).

You have all your favorites here like Dancing Queen, Knowing Me, Knowing You, Take a Chance on Me, Mamma Mia, The Winner Takes it All, SOS, Waterloo, among many others.

Sadly you don’t have any comments from artists or producers, no background information. Nevertheless, the videos are well reworked and worth seeing, not only for absolute ABBA fans, but also for everyone who likes to listen to ABBA from time to time.

If you’re in a romantic mood, ABBA is great. I always like these Best of collections. How many musicians can write, play different instruments and create a band that was the best and still can out last even today’s groups. Yes this group will be Number 1 for ever because they had what it took to be the best of the best when it came to singing, harmonizing and being married to each other. All this, plus the joy of having superb music which we can still listen to even today. The costumes and songs are great conversation starters.

The quality is good, but don't expect any live performances. The videos are a bit old compared to today’s, but the music is fantastic, the group is classic and the music is simple and pure. Magnificent voices and utter joy to an ABBA fan.

If you were a teenager in the 70's this was a soundtrack of your youth. The Band from Sweden still rocks.

Bonus material includes a 25-minute historical documentary and a 1992 version of the Dancing Queen video. Don’t miss the illustrated booklet in the DVD case, detailing the journey of Abba in text and pictures.

Format: ‎ Color, NTSC

Run time: ‎ 1 hour and 39 minutes

Release date: ‎ 9^th September, 2003

Rating: ****

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira