The films "Gimme Shelter" by Albert and David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin about The Rolling Stones, and "Pearl Jam Twenty" by Cameron Crowe re obvious rockumentaries. However, they are differences between the two films in style and content. Both films take a look at two larger than life rock and roll bands, but the films are focused at different times in these bands careers. The films also give an inside look at the two bands from a viewpoint not normally seen. Contrarily, the style with which we are shown this differs from film to film.

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             In both Gimme Shelter and Pearl Jam Twenty, we are given very up close and intimate views of The Rolling Stones and Pearl Jam. In Gimme Shelter, this is accomplished by the filmmakers following The Rolling Stones on the final leg of their 1969 United States tour. Throughout the film we see the band in numerous settings from on stage, in the recording studio, hotel rooms, and interviews of members when they are actually viewing pieces of the actual documentary. In Pearl Jam Twenty, Cameron Crowe does this by piecing together old home videos, taped interviews, pictures, tapings of live concerts, and direct interviews. Comparatively, both films are able to give looks at these bands when they "have their hair down", or when they are not "performing" for the camera. Although both films are able to accomplish this behind the scenes feel, they go about it differently. This is due in part to the fact that in Gimme Shelter, the filmmakers are on scene and recording everything. However, in Pearl Jam Twenty the filmmaker is depending on prior film footage to provide this look into the personal center of the band. .

             Another focus of both films is to look at the lives of rock and rollers. This look is different from the behind the scenes look in that a large portion of this does occur when the bands are performing. Gimme Shelter does this by filming live shows and recording studio sessions.