The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (Original title)The Great Rock and Roll Swindle (Alternative title)
Date: 31 March 1980 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirector: Julien Temple
Synopsis: Portrait of the Sex Pistols, which reflects the pop culture scene of the 1970s. Combination of newsreel, live action and animation. Shot between 1976 and late 1978.
Genre: Biopic
Subject: Punk
Releases
Date: May 1980Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - SoundRuntime: 104 mins Length: 9325 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Virgin Films
Date: 1988Country: United KingdomRelease type: Home ViewingFormat: VHS Videocassette - Colour - SoundRuntime: 104 mins Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Virgin Video Ltd
Title: Punk aesthetics: the filth and the moviesAuthor: KITSON, Michael Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Discusses the films that were inspirational and in turn, inspired by, the music and fashion of punk in the 1970s.
In: Journal of Popular British Cinema n1 1998 Pages: 101-114
Title: British punk filmsAuthor: DONNELLY, Kevin J. Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A discussion of several punk films including The GREAT ROCK 'N' ROLL SWINDLE (1980) and JUBILEE (1978). The context of these films as a cultural phenomenon is given and their place as a noteworthy part of British film history is argued
In: Sight and Sound v3 n12 December 1993 Page: 61
Title: [Sight and Sound - v3 n12 December 1993: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Video note
In: The Listener v113 n2907 2 May 1985 Page: 31
Title: [The Listener - v113 n2907 2 May 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: Screen International n242 24 May 1980 Page: 27
Title: [Screen International - n242 24 May 1980: no known title]Language: English
In: Showbiz n9 16 May 1980 Page: 5
Title: [Showbiz - n9 16 May 1980: no known title]Language: English
In: Continental Film Review v27 n8 June 1980 Pages: 43-44
Title: [Continental Film Review - v27 n8 June 1980: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v47 n558 July 1980 Pages: 132-3
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v47 n558 July 1980: no known title]Language: English
In: Variety 5 Mar 1980 Page: 23
Title: [Variety - 5 Mar 1980: no known title]Language: English
In: Screen International n241 17 May 1980 Page: 10
Title: [Screen International - n241 17 May 1980: no known title]Language: English
Description: Production report.
In: Time Out n517 14 Mar 1980 Page: 36
Title: [Time Out - n517 14 Mar 1980: no known title]Language: English
In: Time Out n526 16 May 1980 Pages: 14-16
Title: [Time Out - n526 16 May 1980: no known title]Language: English
Description: Detailed production report.
In: Time Out n526 16 May 1980 Page: 35
Title: [Time Out - n526 16 May 1980: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Caption review.
Author: BARBER, Chris Pages: 256 p.
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(3)
Accessible materials to view(2)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedStock date: 1979BFI identifier: C-1427956
Status: Viewing - Viewing experience and projection may be compromised by condition of film print (servicing required)
Description: VHS cassetteColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-590800
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Video materials(1)
Description: VHS cassetteColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-590800
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Film materials(2)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 9385 FeetBFI identifier: C-918222
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedStock date: 1979BFI identifier: C-1427956
Status: Viewing - Viewing experience and projection may be compromised by condition of film print (servicing required)
Date: 31 March 1980 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirector: Julien Temple
Synopsis: Portrait of the Sex Pistols, which reflects the pop culture scene of the 1970s. Combination of newsreel, live action and animation. Shot between 1976 and late 1978.
Genre: Biopic
Subject: Punk
Releases
Date: May 1980Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - SoundRuntime: 104 mins Length: 9325 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Virgin Films
Date: 1988Country: United KingdomRelease type: Home ViewingFormat: VHS Videocassette - Colour - SoundRuntime: 104 mins Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Virgin Video Ltd
Credits
(38)
Production Company: Boyd's Company, Production Company: Virgin Films, Production Company: Matrixbest, Executive Producer: Jeremy Thomas, Executive Producer: Don Boyd, Production Supervisor: Joyce Herlihy, Production Co-ordinator: Sophie Richmond, 1st Assistant Director: G. White, Assistant Director: Patrice Vanoni, Screenplay: Julien Temple, Photography: Adam Barker-Mill, Photography: Bill Patterson, Photography: Nic Knowland, Photography: John Metcalfe, 8mm photography: Norma Moriceau, Ku Khanh, Animation supervisor: Animation City, Animator: Philip Austin, Animator: Bill Mather, Animator: Derek Hayes, Animator: Gil Potter, Animator: Andy Walker, [Rostrum Camera Operator Animation]: Richard Keith Wolff, Editor: Richard Bedford, Editor: Gordon Swire, Editor: Bernie Pokrzywa, Editor: Mike Maslin, Editor: Crispin Green, Editor: David Rea, Art consultant: Celia Barnet, Sound Recording: Brian Paxton, Additional sound: John Lundsten, Additional sound: John Sanders, Additional sound: B.R. White, Jean-Pierre Louvre, Sound co-ordinator: John Tiberi, Sound Editor: John Griffiths
Cast
(25)
Malcolm McLaren ("the Embezzler"), Sid Vicious ("The Gimmick"), John Lydon ("The Collaborator"), Steve Jones ("The Crook"), Paul Cook ("The Tea-Maker"), Ronald Biggs ("the Exile"), Mary Millington (Crook's Partner at Cinema), Irene Handl (Usherette), Eddie "Tenpole" Tudor (Cinema Kiosk Attendant), Helen Of Troy (Embezzler's Confidante), Sue Catwoman (Girl Painted by Embezzler's Confidante), Liz Fraser, Jess Conrad (Member of Cinema Audience), Glen Matlock, Dave Dee (himself), Day D'arcy (herself), Nick Mobbs (himself), The Black Arabs (themselves), Jerzimy (himself), Julian Holloway, Johnny Shannon, James Aubry, Alan Jones, Faye Hart, Nancy Spungen
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library
(13)
In: Metro n159 2008 Pages: 82-85Title: Punk aesthetics: the filth and the moviesAuthor: KITSON, Michael Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Discusses the films that were inspirational and in turn, inspired by, the music and fashion of punk in the 1970s.
In: Journal of Popular British Cinema n1 1998 Pages: 101-114
Title: British punk filmsAuthor: DONNELLY, Kevin J. Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A discussion of several punk films including The GREAT ROCK 'N' ROLL SWINDLE (1980) and JUBILEE (1978). The context of these films as a cultural phenomenon is given and their place as a noteworthy part of British film history is argued
In: Sight and Sound v3 n12 December 1993 Page: 61
Title: [Sight and Sound - v3 n12 December 1993: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Video note
In: The Listener v113 n2907 2 May 1985 Page: 31
Title: [The Listener - v113 n2907 2 May 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: Screen International n242 24 May 1980 Page: 27
Title: [Screen International - n242 24 May 1980: no known title]Language: English
In: Showbiz n9 16 May 1980 Page: 5
Title: [Showbiz - n9 16 May 1980: no known title]Language: English
In: Continental Film Review v27 n8 June 1980 Pages: 43-44
Title: [Continental Film Review - v27 n8 June 1980: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v47 n558 July 1980 Pages: 132-3
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v47 n558 July 1980: no known title]Language: English
In: Variety 5 Mar 1980 Page: 23
Title: [Variety - 5 Mar 1980: no known title]Language: English
In: Screen International n241 17 May 1980 Page: 10
Title: [Screen International - n241 17 May 1980: no known title]Language: English
Description: Production report.
In: Time Out n517 14 Mar 1980 Page: 36
Title: [Time Out - n517 14 Mar 1980: no known title]Language: English
In: Time Out n526 16 May 1980 Pages: 14-16
Title: [Time Out - n526 16 May 1980: no known title]Language: English
Description: Detailed production report.
In: Time Out n526 16 May 1980 Page: 35
Title: [Time Out - n526 16 May 1980: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Caption review.
Books held in BFI Reuben Library
(1)
Title: No focusAuthor: BARBER, Chris Pages: 256 p.
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(3)
Accessible materials to view(2)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedStock date: 1979BFI identifier: C-1427956
Status: Viewing - Viewing experience and projection may be compromised by condition of film print (servicing required)
Description: VHS cassetteColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-590800
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Video materials(1)
Description: VHS cassetteColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-590800
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Film materials(2)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 9385 FeetBFI identifier: C-918222
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedStock date: 1979BFI identifier: C-1427956
Status: Viewing - Viewing experience and projection may be compromised by condition of film print (servicing required)