If the first half of this concert film-cum-musical portrait doesn't tell you why the Swedish group Abba became the biggest world pop stars since The Beatles, then nothing will. Photogenic, melodious, happy and professional - the quartet is all of these here. Its two girls are both strong singers and the lyrics of their songs, too few of which can be heard here, are highly original. Somewhere around the middle of the film, though, things start to go a bit wrong. Blame a too-loud soundtrack (which you can turn down a bit on TV! ), the monotonously slender plot, and the lack of insight into the group without which an otherwise glorious finale can't quite take wing. At the end, though, such a film stands or falls by its stars. And their joy of living and innate talent see it through with ease. Pity it went so wrong for the two girl singers in later years.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes