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Soul Boys of the Western World

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Soul Boys of the Western World

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Summary

Documentary examining the story of pop group Spandau Ballet. The film examines their rise to fame and the impact they had on British pop culture in the 1980s, the acrimonious break-up of the group and their reunion for a 2009 concert tour. Featuring interviews with the band's five members and archive footage

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Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Andrew Collins

Only deep-seated musical snobbery would hinder enjoyment of this definitive, authorised, fastidious, and perhaps overlong telling of the Spandau Ballet story, which restores credibility to the "blue-eyed soul" quintet who were unjustly dismissed as opportunistic clotheshorses. From early school band stirrings during punk and overnight notoriety as dandyish leaders of London's Blitz club scene, to international stadium glory in the 1980s and the obligatory acrimonious split and legal battle, George Hencken's stringently archive-built approach boasts the rollercoaster momentum of many classic rock and pop biopics. It's illuminated with valuable home-movie footage, while commentary by the unseen band members lends first-person authenticity - undermined only when the links are clearly read (most glaringly by bassist-turned-actor Martin Kemp). For a band so stylish, the design is pedestrian, and the use of "serious" hit Through the Barricades to soundtrack footage of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the release of Nelson Mandela is somewhat spurious. But you'd need a hard heart not to be upstanding for the climactic, healing reunion in 2009.

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6.9/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameTony HadleyTony HadleyMartin KempMartin KempGary KempGary KempJohn KeebleJohn KeebleSteve NormanSteve Norman

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Crew

rolenameDirectorGeorge Hencken

Details

Theatrical distributor

Metrodome

Released on

2014-09-26

Languages

English

Guidance

Swearing, sexual/drug references.

Available on

DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

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