film

To mark the release of Michael Jackson's This Is It, we take a look back at some of the most notable 'rock docs' from cinema history.
From the sublime talents on show in Woodstock, to the ridiculous - take a bow, Spinal Tap - rock music has always had a bit of a mixed reception on the silver screen, but whether or not you're a fan of the bands involved, the following selection of movies on music will provide some highly entertaining, moving, even funny moments... be they intentional or not!

Woodstock (1970)
What's it about? Documentary about the legendary Woodstock Festival that took place in August 1969 at Bethel in New York State, with mesmerising performances from artists such as Crosby, Stills And Nash, Jefferson Airplane, Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix.
Top of the pops or top of the flops? This film is a superb reminder of one of the most iconic moments of the '60s hippie era, with a bill of acts probably unmatched in the history of rock music - it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Magical musical moment: Jimi Hendrix rips up The Star-Spangled Banner.

U2: Rattle And Hum (1988)
What's it about? After the huge success of their best selling album, The Joshua Tree, U2 head to the States on a massive tour which cements their newly acquired status as 'the biggest rock band in the world,' and the cameras are there to record the entire overblown operation for posterity.
Top of the pops or top of the flops? Until Rattle And Hum, U2 were just a highly popular rock band. After Rattle And Hum, U2 seemed to have evolved into something more substantial, an international, omnipresent monster of a band, a frighteningly bloated presence.
Magical musical moment: Gospel version of the group's hit I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, performed with The New Voices of Freedom choir.

Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense (1984)
What's it about? Director Jonathan Demme takes a simple approach, filming the band on stage with little introduction and no gimmicky shots, just highlighting the art-rock band's pure, out and out talent as the group members gradually take the stage to accompany the initially solo frontman David Byrne, whose eccentricities - jerky stage movements, the big suit - make him a compelling figure centre-stage.
Top of the pops or top of the flops? One for fans of the band only, as their clever brand of college rock always had a certain 'Marmite' love 'em or loathe 'em quality anyway!
Magical musical moment(s): Byrne's stunning solo rendition of Psycho Killer to start the gig - and the full-on, heady version of Burning Down The House.

Gimme Shelter (1970)
What's it about? In December 1969, four months after Woodstock, the Rolling Stones played a free concert the Altamont Speedway in California. For the event, the organisers put Hell's Angels in charge of security, which in hindsight was not the most sensible of moves, as their idea of 'security' meant beating up and even stabbing members of the audience - tragically leaving one young fan dead.
Top of the pops or top of the flops? The infamous Alatamont footage is rivetting, but stomach-churning viewing. The violent, doomladen atmosphere at the concert itself, and the fatality, is now regarded as 'the day the hippie era ended.'
Magical musical moment: The band's distress at the violence erupting in front of them is clear to see, and gives their late-set rendition of Street Fighting Man - "summer's here and the time is right for fighting in the street, boy" - a terrible irony.

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)
What's it about? This documentary - so revealing it's almost painful - follows Metallica as they record their first studio album in five years, and almost disintegrate - personally and professionally - along the way.
Top of the pops or top of the flops? More than one reviewer was heard to mutter 'Spinal Tap' as they witnessed the incredible goings-on behind the scenes - as bassist Jason Newsted quits the band, frontman James Hetfield leaves the group to enter rehab, Metallica's management hires a "performance-enhancing coach" in a bid to help bring the group closer. Phil Lynott would be turning in his grave. Or, more like, laughing like a drain.
Magical musical moment: Fans get to hear a number of previously unreleased songs being worked on for the St Anger album, although the only one that can be heard in full is Temptation.

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
What's it about? Spinal Tap are a British heavy rock band, setting out on an American comeback tour beset by problems - from exploding drummers to the infamous 18-inch-high Stonehenge and dwarves incident.
Top of the pops or top of the flops? Classic 'mockumentary' from Rob Reiner, hilariously satirising the ludicrous excesses of '70s rock supergroups such as Led Zeppelin. The film's fantastic - but Spinal Tap the band stink, badly.
Magical musical moment: The lyrical genius of Big Bottom: "The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin.'"

Feature by Mark Appleby
Photos by Rex/WENN