The Clash Movies
- 2008
The Clash were one of the few groups from the first wave of British punk rock who achieved a worldwide following rather than just regional popularity, and not many bands of any genre could match them for the passion and force they delivered in concert. Carrying a message that blended political broadsides with an understanding of the nuts and bolts of life in an angry age, the Clash were a truly one-of-a-kind band, and The Clash: Revolution Rock is a documentary that traces the group's peak era (from 1977 to 1983) through vintage footage of the band in concert. Compiled by Don Letts, a long-time associate of the Clash, Revolution Rock includes rare documentary material of the group performing in London in 1977 as well as selections from their final appearance with Mick Jones at the 1983 US Festival. Songs include "London Calling", "Train In Vain", "The Magnificent Seven", "Should I Stay Or Should I Go", "London's Burning", "Safe European Home" and many more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2008
Perched above a restaurant in London's Soho neighborhood, the Colony was a unconventional club whose habitués included The Clash, Francis Bacon, and David Bowie. Shot over two decades, this documentary follows its evolution from a shelter for persecuted gays to a playground for rock stars and artists in Swinging London. Backed by tunes from The Clash, The Colony features appearances by singer Joe Strummer, critic George Melly, filmmaker John Maybury, and Pop artist Patrick Caufield. ~ All Movie Guide
Director Don Letts' documentary Punk: Attitude examines the politics, fashion, and music of this pop culture trend. He interviews and shares performance footage from a variety of famous musical acts including "Black Flag, Jello Biafra, Legs McNeil, The Ramones, and proto-punks The Stooges and New York Dolls. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
A teenage boy tries to hold his family together while the girl of his dreams drives him to distraction in this coming-of-age comedy drama. It's 1978, and Henry Nearing (Gregory Smith) and his family are in a state of flux. Henry's mother has died, and now his father, Shep (David Morse), is trying to find himself by quitting his job, buying a motorcycle, and growing out his hair. Henry's brother, Blair (David Moscow), is similarly trying to expand his boundaries by dating a free-spirited girl and experimenting with drugs. Henry, meanwhile, is just trying to get through high school, but a certain girl is making that difficult for him. Grace Chance (Jordana Brewster) is a pretty girl in Henry's class who enjoys wrapping boys around her little finger; it doesn't take long for her to notice he's smitten with her, and she begins flirting with him and getting him to do whatever she wants, even though she already has a boyfriend whom she has no intention of leaving. Meanwhile, Merna (Ashley Johnson), a cute girl who lives nearby, has a crush on Henry and is clearly a better match for him, but she can't get him to notice her, even after she starts dating an older boy to make him jealous. Nearing Grace received its world premiere at the 2005 Los Angeles Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gregory Smith, Jordana Brewster, (more)
- 2003
First-time director Samuel Benmchetrit's 2003 debut Janis et John (Janis and John) follows the comedic exploits of a down-on-his luck insurance salesman as he attempts to make up for some very poor financial decisions. Pablo Sterni (Sergi Lopez), the aforementioned insurance salesman, has, until recently, been an honest business man. As of late, though, Pablo had been siphoning money from one of his more successful client's accounts -- one that covers a very expensive sports car. When that client, Mr. Cannon (Jean-Louis Trintignant), turns in a loss claim for that car for a half-million francs, Pablo finds himself in a tight spot. Inspiration strikes when Pablo learns that his hippy-dippy cousin Leon (Christopher Lambert, billed as Christophe Lambert) has just inherited a million francs from his recently deceased father. Leon, a perpetually stoned record store owner, lives solely for the day his 1973 vision of John Lennon and Janis Joplin's Christ-like return to Earth is fulfilled. After visiting with his cousin, Pablo decides to assist Leon in reliving his dream -- as well as parting him with much of his inheritance -- by convincing his wallflower wife, Brigitte (Marie Trintignant, murdered mere weeks before the film's debut, thus marking her final film appearance) and an out-of-work actor (François Cluzet) to impersonate Janis and John. Janis et John was selected for inclusion in the 2003 Montreal World Film Festival. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sergi López, Marie Trintignant, (more)
- 2000
- Add The Clash: Westway to the World to QueueAdd The Clash: Westway to the World to top of Queue
This efficient, enjoyable documentary charts the rise and fall of the British punk group the Clash, widely considered one of the greatest bands of all time. Checking in at a brisk 107 minutes, Westway to the World follows a fairly traditional format, interspersing talking-head interviews with band members, live concert clips, still photos, and other assorted footage. Directed by Don Letts, a friend of the band, the movie limns a portrait of a band that took its music and politics seriously. Westway to the World recounts the group's swift rise, as it broke through the formal and commercial limitations of punk -- only to fall apart, Behind the Music-style, as it was reaching the peak of its worldwide popularity. Although not as virtuosic as its subject, Westway to the World nonetheless offers an informative and entertaining look at one of history's most important bands. ~ Elbert Ventura, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Terry Chimes, Nicky "Topper" Headon, (more)
- 1985
This musical performance video is a compilation of the best video hits and include "London Callin," "Should I Stay of Should I Go," and "Rock the Casbah." ~ All Movie Guide
- 1982
This 1982 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Ron Howard and features musical guest the Clash. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ron Howard, The Clash, (more)
- 198z
Featuring vintage performances by such punk rock legends as the Sex Pistols, the Clash, the Police, and Madness Jam, among many others, this insightful documentary by filmmaker Wolfgang Buld attempts to uncover the origins of the punk rock at the very point where it was about to explode onto the American music scene. Digging deeper than the average documentarian to interview such artists as Spizzenergi Jam and Secret Affair, Punk and Its Aftershocks offers a rare glimpse into a musical revolution. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1980
The Concert for Kampuchea is a record of an all-star charity rock bash, committed to film by director Keith McMillan. Among those who perform before the ever-screaming fans are the Who, Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, the Pretenders, Elvis Costello, the Clash, Rockpile, the Specials, Ian Dury, Rockestra, and Matumbi. Filmed in 1980, The Concert for Kampuchea did not receive American theatrical distribution until it was picked up by Miramax in 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
- R
The political and social turmoil of Great Britain at the dawn of the Margaret Thatcher Era provides a backdrop for this improvisational drama featuring extensive live footage of punk trailblazers the Clash. Ray (Ray Gange) is a layabout punk rock fan whose interests appear to be beer, the Clash, picking up girls and avoiding a real job -- in that order. Ray works part time behind the counter at an adult bookstore to supplement his dole payments, but he'd like to become a roadie for the Clash, though his pal Joe (Joe Strummer), the group's singer and rhythm guitarist, doesn't have an opening for him; the fact Ray is openly suspicious of the band's leftist political stance probably doesn't help matters much. After Ray steps up to help the band during some trouble at a Rock Against Racism rally, Johnny (Johnny Green), the Clash's road manager, invites him to join their road crew for some upcoming dates in the North of England. While Ray's enthusiasm for the band is unquestioned, he doesn't have much of a taste for the hard work that goes into putting on the Clash's live show, and lead guitarist Mick (Mick Jones) makes it clear he doesn't trust Ray. As the Clash steadily climb from the punk underground into mainstream success, the band has less use for Ray's drunken antics, and eventually he's let go. Meanwhile, a pair of West Indian youths from the same London ghettos that Ray calls home become victims of the British legal system when a petty theft lands them in jail. Rude Boy was shot over the course of the Clash's two British tours of 1978 and during the sessions for their second album Give 'Em Enough Rope; it was the first and last film for Ray Gange, who relocated to the United States not long after making Rude Boy. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ray Gange, Joe Strummer, (more)
This is a musical performance video with live concert footage with this top British punk band doing tunes like "White Rio," and "I Fought the Law." Included are rare film of early Clash shows. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1977
This music themed release offers some of the most memorable performances by the biggest figures in the landmark London punk scene in the 1970's. Some of the artists featured include The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Jam, The Boomtown Rats, and The X-Ray Specs. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
