Thirteen Great Musical Films

1…. The Wall
Great film featuring the music of Pink Floyd and starring Bob Geldof as a rock stargoing through a terrifying breakdown. I had to sneak into the cinema when this came out as it was an 18 (I was 16). A fantastic use of music to illustrate the story.

2...Rude Boy
A semi fictional account of a Clash fan and his relationship/friendship with the band. If you are a Clash fan this is a must see as this contains probably some of the best live performances you will ever see!

3...Quadrophenia
One of my favourite films of all time. A film about mods, rokers and dissillusioned youth all set to a fabulous Who soundtrack - superb!

4...Funky Monks
I suppose you would call this a Rockumentary - a kind of video diary of the making of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers album Blood, Sex, Magic. This is a non glossy look at how artists work and features some brilliant musicianship that will take your breath away.

5...The Song Remains the Same
Slightly dated Led Zeppelin film of their houses of the Holy tour. There are some weird drama bits in here that are a little annoying - but the concert footage is amazing. They play the entire Houses of the Holy album plus other famous tracks, one to watch if you want to see musical chemistry at work.

6...Dig
A film about the careers and rivalries between the Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Masacre. Will alernately make you laugh, make you cry, take your breath away and finally leave you feeling glad it's not you. But along the way amongst the drug fuelled mayhem there is some great music.

7...Westside Story
I haven't watched this in a while, but as a child and ateenager this modern day version of Romeo and Juliet used to make me cry. The music is heart wrenching and there is some great dancing.

8...Absolute Beginners
Not one of the best movies of all time, but a highly under rated masterpiece none the less. Directed by Julien Temple and Featuring some great music from Paul Weller and David Bowie and starring David Bowie, Patsy Kensit and Sade.

9...Alice's Restaurant
I used to love this film - it is very of it's time (the 1960s). Featuring Arlo Guthrie (son of Woody) and some great folk songs this film covers such topical issues as grabage dumping and the draft - brilliant.

10...Tommy
The Who's rock opera. I will never forget Keith Moon as dirty Uncle Ernie (fiddling about). Great music and riveting viewing featuring great performances from all the who plus Elton John, Eric Clapton, Ann Margeret, Arthur Brown, Tina Turner, Oliver Reed, Paul Nicholas and Robert Powell. That deaf dumb and blind kid syre plays a mean pinball...

11...Saturday Night Fever
I was too young to see this when it came out and I was devastated. This sums up a musical era and heralded the end of the seventies. John Travolta at his arrogant hip swinging best accompanied by a pumping disco soundtrack. I gave this LP to a charity shop years ago and have lived to regret it!

12...Grease
I did see this at the cinema, I think I went three or four times. As teenagers we were all in love with the John Travolta character Danny. We had the album and knew the words to all the songs. This is a musical classic and it's appeal is enduring, each new generation that sees it loves it - my 13 year old son is a fan!

13...Abba the Movie
I had to include this as Abba marked my true entry into music fandom. I loved them when I was 11 and 12, I though they were brilliant and I used to play their albums over and over. I went to see the movie several times and thoroughly enjoyed it - it is about a music journalist following them on their Austrailian tour and trying to get an interview with the band. Again some good concert footage. Abba may not have been the greatest musicians in the world but they knew how to write a catchy tune and work a crowd. A great blast from the past!


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