:
Glen Matlock,
Glen Matlock,
John Lydon/Johnny Rotten,
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Julien Temple,
Julien Temple
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: 
: New Line Home Video
: Documentary, Foreign, Music, Biographies, Documentary, Music, UK
: 103 min.
: English
: English
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Although their career lasted a bit less than two years, few rock bands have made a more dramatic impact than the Sex Pistols, who quickly rose to international infamy as the best-known British punk band, then fell apart shortly after their first American tour in a tempest of drugs, ego, and infighting. Manager Malcolm McLaren began making a film about the group while they were at the height of their fame, but by the time McLaren and director Julien Temple completed The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, the group's best-known member, bassist Sid Vicious, was dead, and the remaining Pistols -- vocalist Johnny Rotten (aka John Lydon), guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook, and original bassist Glen Matlock were in litigation against McLaren and refused to participate. In 1998, Temple began working with the group's surviving members (who reunited for a brief tour in 1996) for this definitive documentary of the Pistols' career, which combines new interviews with footage of legendary live performances (such as their infamous Jubilee Day show on a ship sailing past the Houses of Parliament), as well as newsreels of the chaos that followed in their wake, including the TV appearance that changed them overnight from a little-known cult band to national pariahs. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
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| Sid, Sid, Sid
by MDixon
February 27, 2004 - 8:43 AM PST
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6 out of 6 members found this review helpful
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| the thing which struck me, I guess, is what a tragic figure John Richie (aka youknowwho) was. He comes across as a sweet kid - done dirty by heroin, Mclaren and fame. Nancy had something to do with it too, of course. The film is well put together - though the editing technique (lots of cuts, found footage) is rather jarring at times. If you know the Pistols, you should love it - if you don't know them, it's a good introduction - lots of context. Don't miss the "original documentary" on the extras - interviews with some well known (Richard Hell, Jimmy Pursey) and not so well known figures - musicians as well as filmmakers and photographers - mostly about the early days of the American scene on both coasts. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 7.45)
125 Votes
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