PopSyndicate.com

Fascinating documentary on one of the most tragic stories in rock.

So many bands have burned out after they hit their peak; many of the most famous did so in the middle of those heights. But what about those bands that shatter moments before they grab that elusive spotlight? There are so few bands included in this category that it seems almost exclusively dedicated to Joy Division. In this documentary of the same name, the brief history of what is now considered one of the most influential bands of all time is explored, warts and all.

Like many youths in the UK, the individual members of the quartet that would form Joy Division were inspired by the chaotic brilliance that was the Sex Pistols. Just as the region’s teens did in the 1950s, the ‘70s youths rushed home and bought instruments, determined to start their own bands.  Formed in 1976, Joy Division (under the original name Warsaw) began building a fan base and garnering critical acclaim. The main obstacle the band faced was vocalist Ian Curtis’ fragile psyche, which eventually caused him to take his own life, right after the band’s first album was released and just before their first U.S. tour. One of the most promising bands of the decade was gone before it really even started.

The surviving three members of the band went on to re-form as New Order, and all three are present to offer their history on this DVD. Directed by Grant Gee, the doc is interesting and intriguing, while at the same time it can be maddeningly erratic. Parts of the film are just random images and clips strung together with no reference while the talking heads narrate over them. By choice or not, this leaves the editing of the film a bit choppy at times. Still, it’s thoroughly enjoyable regardless and is a great look at one of rock’s most tragic stories.

Released by Genius on their new Miriam Collection (their answer, I suppose, to the Criterion Collection), the disc includes a live television performance of the song “Transmission” and no less than 75 minutes worth of additional interview bits cut from the final edit.

Joy Division is a music documentary worth tracking down; by those who are familiar with the story and are fans of the band, and by those who have never heard of the band due to their fleeting time.

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