Queen Share Preview From Upgraded Budapest Concert Film

Bruce Henne | 08-22-2026

(hennemusic) Queen is streaming video of "Who Wants To Live Forever" from the forthcoming upgraded 4K edition of "Queen Budapest" to mark the project's 40th anniversary.

Captured on July 27, 1986, at Budapest's Nepstadion, during the band's 'The Magic Tour', the concert was a groundbreaking moment, as Queen became the first Western rock band to perform behind the Iron Curtain during a period of profound cultural and political change.

In addition to 80,000 tickets selling out, an estimated 45,000 people listened to the group outside, and some fans had travelled from as far away as Russia and Poland to see the concert. The show was professionally filmed on 35 mm movie film by 17 of Hungary's best cameramen. The gear employed included 17 cameras and 25 miles of film, which was all that was available in the country, and the Hungarian government approved the entire operation, which was a first for a Communist State.

"For years, fans behind the Iron Curtain had been able to listen to Queen music only on illegal cassettes," says Brian May. "It was a forbidden thing to listen to rock bands like us, so to see them play in a live show would have been unthinkable. This concert, when they could finally come and see us live in person and interact with us, was a huge emotional moment for them and also for us. It felt like a very big deal - you could feel that incredible energy. There will never be an event quite like that again. Perhaps the most memorable highlight of all was performing that beautiful Hungarian folk song, which Freddie and I had learned for the occasion. Not a dry eye!"

The 4K restoration of "Queen Budapest" will have its world premiere at the Budapest Classics Film Marathon on September 15, hosted by the National Film Institute of Hungary, as part of the festival's program celebrating restored and rediscovered cinema.

Stream "Who Wants To Live Forever" from the concert, and get full details about the upcoming theater screening schedules and more here.