An article in yesterday's "The Independent" notes that Mojo Magazine has selected its top ten rock films of all time. Most of the list is unsurprising, and I doubt you'd get much quibble about any of the top four films being on any such list, short of rankings (for what it's worth, "A Hard Day's Night" would be my personal #1). The inclusion of "The Filth And The Fury" or "Westway To The World" over "The Kids Are Alright" and "Stop Making Sense" puzzles me, and how any such list can be considered complete without "Woodstock" is altogether beyond me. Other concert classics such as "Wattstax" and "Monterey Pop" receive no mention.
The article does indeed bring up the point of how do we really define what a great rock film is, whether it's a document of an event, a fictionalized version of reality, or just a related story where rock is essential to the plotline. Lists such as these are very subjective exercises, and I would be sure that there'd be six opinions on the composition of such a list for every five rock fans. I tend to lean toward the documentaries, although my personal favorite nicely captures that feel (albeit with a large helping of English absurdity; I still think that even though the concert scene was staged, it really captured the power of the music that even the great rock documentaries didn't).
Some other notable omissions from the list (I really loathe the "ten best" formats for their inherent limitations and compromises) would be (IMSHO), "Don't Look Back", "The Concert For George", "Hail Hail Rock And Roll", "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" and most interestingly (and tantalizingly unavailable, except in bootleg or severely bowdlerized form) "The T.A.M.I. Show" and "The Big T.N.T. Show".
Mojo's list:
1. This Is Spinal Tap
2. The Last Waltz
3. A Hard Day's Night
4. Gimme Shelter
5. The Wall
6. Ray
7. The Filth And The Fury
8. Quadrophenia
9. Westway To The World
10. Help!
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Article comments
1 - SFC SKI
No real arguments, but Judas Priest's Electric Eye DVD is one great concert of vintage JP, though it is shot pretty straight ahead, not a lot of unique camera angles or backstage views.
I'd have to add "The Decline and Fall of Western Civization" and its successor "TDFWC:The Metal Years" to the list.
2 - crooked spine
Obviously these kind of lists inherently arouse debate, but here are my two cents:
Spinal Tap was a riot, but it seems wrong to have a parody of a rock movie listed as the #1 rock movie.
The Wall and Quadrophenia were great albums, but not great movies.
I personally wouldn't choose The Filth & the Fury or Westway to the World, but then again late 70s punk has never been my thing.
I'll agree the A Hard Day's Night was one of the greatest rock films ever made. As for Help!, I think John Lennon said it best: "The film didn't work."
I haven't seen Ray, although I think Ray Charles was one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. But these biographical films are usually so cheesy (I hated The Buddy Holly Story and Great Balls of Fire).
And what about the original rock movies, the ones that laid the groundwork? Where's the love for The Girl Can't Help It and Jailhouse Rock?
3 - Mark Runyon
How can you have a top 10 rock films list without including Almost Famous and I am Trying to Break Your Heart? They are both complete classics that outrank much of what I see here. Mojo seems to be largely neglecting the more modern films.
4 - The Theory
i agree, Mark... Almost Famous was breath-taking.
5 - Mark Saleski
i'd have to add Amost Famous and High Fidelity.
6 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
well this is bizarre. mojo are usually a dependable bunch, but Westway To The World over Don't Look Back? If it's Clash pictures a fella wants, Rude Boy kicks the arse outta Westway. Filth And The Fury is a nice choice. I'm actually working on my own list on and off, so i'll say no more, lest i spoil my selections.
7 - Andrew Ian Dodge
OMG something in MOJO I agree with!!! And where the hell is School of Rock?