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Drewtg

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Just watched it.Love the cockney character reminds me of Sean Adams ,Lisa Stansfields acting is terrible.The lead character is middle class!.How did Suspicion appear with all that knowledge on board.The older dj character was great.This is underground..I thought he was going to stick E.L.P on.An enjoyable Uk film only slightly better than Soulboy.

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Guest aintgotit

ive not seen it yet , but not heard a duff word said about it, listened to Elaine on r4 womans hour this morning I think she bonded with jenny murray. it was endearing, I loved listening to the process she went through to pull younger dancers in . She,s engaging and listenable is Elaine, made me smile when she talked about some people never wanting to hear or see anything about the scene. "its underground and it should stay that way" seemed to be the point made to her over and over. Had to laugh when I heard the term PEACOCK DANCER! Made me splutter me coffee out, and ruffle me feathers in indignation. heh heh.

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Guest son of stan

I was a child at the time but I do remember Simon Templar /'The Saint' stickman tattoos seemed very popular with youths in those days.

Edited by son of stan
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Plenty of period  detail in there, hats off to Elaine, Donkey Jackets on the road workers , Bum Fluff on the kids faces, that group of kids on the tip in the tip  with nowhere else to go too young to be teenage and to old to be children, cars, coats egg and chips (not oven ones) for tea, If only he'd have been eating an Aztec bar in the opening sequences.

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Excuse my ignorance regarding the marketing, promotion and economics of motion pictures in this day and age , but is it not conceivable that having seen the extraordinary intial reaction by the general public and media to the film -  and notwithstanding the immediate release on DVD  -  the distributors may actually decide in the coming days or weeks to give the film a full general cinematic release on as many screens as possible in the UK ? In the same way that they normally would for a major US big budget film ?  In other words re-promote and re-release it on a whole different level ?

Edited by sunnysoul
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Excuse my ignorance regarding the marketing, promotion and economics of motion pictures in this day and age , but is it not conceivable that having seen the extraordinary intial reaction by the general public and media to the film - and notwithstanding the immediate release on DVD - the distributors may actually decide in the coming days or weeks to give the film a full general cinematic release on as many screens as possible in the UK ? In the same way that they normally would for a major US big budget film ? In other words re-promote and re-release it on a whole different level ?

Well, hopefully they'll be discussing that right now what with a No.1 DVD, a No.8 soundtrack and a new UK record first weekend.....

Ian D :)

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Well I enjoyed the film.  Has it got that repeatability that one or two other films have got - I mean, would you watch it again today after watching it yesterday - I'd say no, maybe in 6 months or a year.  Beautifully made, period spot on, just not a storyline strong enough to want to keep coming back to it.

My only gripe is - why were nearly all of the records pitched up too high, it was not like this back then, the second time they play Towanda Barnes it must be at 50rpm at least.

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The media bandwagon rolls on, this time with an article in the Independent. Less a review of the film and more an essay on youth tribes - and the woeful lack of them - written by someone whose appreciation of the Northern scene come from the fact that "…I was there".

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/northern-soul-where-have-all-the-style-tribes-gone-9807056.html

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The media bandwagon rolls on, this time with an article in the Independent. Less a review of the film and more an essay on youth tribes - and the woeful lack of them - written by someone whose appreciation of the Northern scene come from the fact that "…I was there".

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/northern-soul-where-have-all-the-style-tribes-gone-9807056.html

 It's also in the Independants concise tabloid version "I".

Paul

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Well, hopefully they'll be discussing that right now what with a No.1 DVD, a No.8 soundtrack and a new UK record first weekend.....

Ian D :)

 

Also a great opportunity for Universal to cash in by putting together a clever video of Shirley Ellis' "Soul Time" and releasing it as a single/download and see it rocket up the pop singles charts in time for X Mas ... 

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Excuse my ignorance regarding the marketing, promotion and economics of motion pictures in this day and age , but is it not conceivable that having seen the extraordinary intial reaction by the general public and media to the film -  and notwithstanding the immediate release on DVD  -  the distributors may actually decide in the coming days or weeks to give the film a full general cinematic release on as many screens as possible in the UK ? In the same way that they normally would for a major US big budget film ?  In other words re-promote and re-release it on a whole different level ?

 

 

Think its too late in the day for that now, however I would be pushing for work to be started on part.2, while both confidence and interest is high.....

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Plenty of period  detail in there, hats off to Elaine, Donkey Jackets on the road workers , Bum Fluff on the kids faces, that group of kids on the tip in the tip  with nowhere else to go too young to be teenage and to old to be children, cars, coats egg and chips (not oven ones) for tea, If only he'd have been eating an Aztec bar in the opening sequences.

Oh I fookin loved Aztec bars.  :wub:

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according to a friend on facebook..with photos to prove it..it was on virgin demand last night for £3.99! :huh:

 

 

What's that like a pay to view film service?  Like Sky box office?  Surely not a download to keep?

 

Just checked and it's available to watch on demand on Sky.  Didn't check the pricing, but most films can be downloaded and watched over a few days, or can be kept on your Sky Box hard drive if you pay more.

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seems odd to me its available on dvd let alone pay per view when its still on the pics..I suppose its because when they made the deals they weren't expecting the it too have the amount showing as it turned out ?

 

It's also available on download from Amazon Instant (formerly Love Film) and the Playstation Network.  I would imagine Netflix and Blinkbox will probably have it as well.

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Also a great opportunity for Universal to cash in by putting together a clever video of Shirley Ellis' "Soul Time" and releasing it as a single/download and see it rocket up the pop singles charts in time for X Mas ... 

 

Well, it would be if Universal owned "Soul Time" - it's Sony Music that control Shirley Ellis. Also, judging by some Facebook activity I've been seeing, it looks like they might be doing something similar with Gloria Jones's "Tainted Love".....

 

Ian D  :D

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Just thought I would start a separate thread where we could argue about the finer points that were both spot on, and or not as we remembered them in the Norther Soul film.

 

This is not meant to be a criticism in any way. In fact the more I think about trying to present an historical time capsule on film, the more I am impressed by how well Elaine managed it.

 

Here's a few things that got me thinking: Did anyone use the expression "cheers" as a thank you in the seventies? I thought that was a current trend myself?

 

Did we really use the "F" word so much back then? or did I live a sheltered life? I can recall that when I first left school I worked in a factory that made overalls. [mainly ladies and mainly for the large catalogue industry. Remember everyone bought their cloths from a catalogue in those days and paid weekly.] Anyway 95% of the workforce was female and in those days ladies didn't swear, so I always remember lots of expressions like: blumming eck, flippin' eck etc. A few years later I got a job working in an all male environment, and the difference in language actually shocked me. Mind you, by the end of the first week I was swearing like a f***ing trooper.  :lol:

 

The two main things that made me think.

1. Was there really so many guys with tattoos in the 70's? I didn't know anyone who had tatts back then.

2. I can't remember anyone wearing earrings back then. In fact if you had gone out round our way wearing one, you would have been lucky to survive the night as you would have been perceived as a girl, or a queer.

 

Like I said, not a criticism in any shape or form. Please feel free to reminisce. :thumbsup:

I swore like a trooper in the 1970's. I also had an earring and I'm not a girl or a 'queer' (can you really say that today ????) :g:  

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I watched it and thought the lead was middle class.Shame i didnt see any old blokes with union badges and woodbine fibgers and in their slicked back grey hair.No abandoned dogs ...one with a broken paw and it would have been nice to see a glistening car park...The brambles farm hotel...its that rough the fookin alsation wears sandals.

Edited by wiggyflat
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I loved it.

Anyone can pick little holes here & there, but on the whole the detail was very acurate & I think Elaine nailed it, considering everything that had to be compressed into one film.

She captured the euphoria of being out on that floor.

The casting was excellent, let's be honest, I can really relate to some of his mad mates, we all knew real nut jobs like that, well I did from Warrington anyway, took me right back.

If I had to critique just a little, and this is nit picking, not sure the friendliness of the place between mates from all over different towns that would meet up every week was actually captured, a little too dark, it was much more friendly than impression given in real life, but that don't make good viewing I suppose anyway

8/10 from me, good job, well done, loved it.

Right, when does the Stafford sequel come out?

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I loved it.

Anyone can pick little holes here & there, but on the whole the detail was very acurate & I think Elaine nailed it, considering everything that had to be compressed into one film.

She captured the euphoria of being out on that floor.

The casting was excellent, let's be honest, I can really relate to some of his mad mates, we all knew real nut jobs like that, well I did from Warrington anyway, took me right back.

If I had to critique just a little, and this is nit picking, not sure the friendliness of the place between mates from all over different towns that would meet up every week was actually captured, a little too dark, it was much more friendly than impression given in real life, but that don't make good viewing I suppose anyway

8/10 from me, good job, well done, loved it.

Right, when does the Stafford sequel come out?

We`re going to Wigan tonight Ade!.................just booked 5 minutes ago.  :thumbsup:

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great film love it but would of like to seen more of the casino scenes in it rather than youth club would of given people a better incite into our scene as i thought it encapsulated the atmosphere of allnighter i know youth clubs were playing a lot of northern but think that once they eventually had been to wigan youth club wouldnt of done it for them just my own opinion but great choice of music and enjoyed it as a whole

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Guest Andy Kempster

What's that like a pay to view film service?  Like Sky box office?  Surely not a download to keep?

 

 

it's virgins answer to sky box office, so no you can't burn it to dvd but you can watch it for a fee

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Nina and I dipped into The 100 Club on Friday, a quick hello to Marco, then, before walking straight into the glass door (A you’ve been framed moment there!) A hi to Ady, a bit of a dance, a big hug from Sean Adams, then home ready to see the film on Saturday -

 

Just back - It stirred my emotions……

 

The anticipation of opening that record list, and ringing up for that record (Inc the lock on the phone!)

 

Finally getting ‘that’ record - The sheer excitement!

 

Dancing ‘hard’ completely covered in sweat, and just not caring!

 

Dancing on the way home! Me and my mates did this on the way home from Gloucester Hall in 1985 (Before smashing a load of milk bottles!)

 

When he was dancing just after his friend had died - Dancing to a certain record that relates so much to something that has happened in my life.

 

When he was crying, listening to a record at home.

 

….Reading our friends names, that are no longer with us, on the credits.

 

Thank you for a film that is so close to our hearts.

 

Len ‘n’ Nina x

 

P.s - I will now read every one else's views.

"getting that record"....still as much a part of today as yesterday.. the tingle down the spine, the anticipation as you drop the diamond stylus in the groove, the frenetic movements as you're in full flow...then your mom opens the bedroom door and maybe you blush with embarrassment,...or..today, it's the wife saying: " oh no, not more BLOODY RECORDS?"

my introductory moment came after my first week at work, july 1974, left school friday 12th...week later having thought i would get paid a week in lieu, to my surprise i got it there and then...so what did i do?....very naughty!, told my mom i hadn't got anything and went to max millward's on the following saturday morning with the princely sum of...get this,...EIGHT POUNDS! and blew the lot on records...can't remember them all, but i deffo got paul anka "cant help loving you" and laura green "moonlight, music and you "...which in those days would have cost £1 a time.

 

that thrill is still there now as i approach 57,...god, will we ever learn?...the answer, quite simply, is NO! :thumbup:  :hatsoff2:

Edited by AGENTSMITH
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So, I saw Northern Soul the film last for the 2nd time. The first time I saw it was at the northern premier in Blackburn and it wasn't in a proper cinema and the sound was so bad that you couldn't pick out the dialogue.

I am so glad I went back. I realise that I am biased but it's a bloody good film. I was lucky enough to be an extra in the dance scenes and have waited 2 years to see this film make it to the big screen. Many times along the way I thought it would never come.

Elaine Constantine, the director, captures 2 things really well: the 70s and the passion for northern soul.

She paints a great picture of growing up working class in the 70s and doesn't give in to the more comedic ideas of 70s fashion. This is all very real and there's not one Chopper or Space Hopper in sight. Little touches like telephone locks and the smell of nit shampoo just brought it all home

The film is dark and gritty but the soundtrack is amazing and her dancers are spot on. Elaine's experience as a photographer is very evident throughout as is her passion for the subject matter. She brilliantly captures the look on a dancer's face when they are lost in the music, when it's just you, the music and the dance floor.

There are several cameos in the film and they are all played down and the young leads really shine. All the cast do a superb job. I love the fact that James Lance is actually a good soul dancer and he picked up the moves to better understand his role but, in the film, you never see him dance. You can feel that kind of love, that dedication throughout the film from all involved. This was a labour of love and it worked.

Although the film sinks into a very dark place she really lifts it with the final scenes.

A great British picture and I was proud to be allowed to be part of it.

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So, I saw Northern Soul the film last for the 2nd time. The first time I saw it was at the northern premier in Blackburn and it wasn't in a proper cinema and the sound was so bad that you couldn't pick out the dialogue.

I am so glad I went back. I realise that I am biased but it's a bloody good film. I was lucky enough to be an extra in the dance scenes and have waited 2 years to see this film make it to the big screen. Many times along the way I thought it would never come.

Elaine Constantine, the director, captures 2 things really well: the 70s and the passion for northern soul.

She paints a great picture of growing up working class in the 70s and doesn't give in to the more comedic ideas of 70s fashion. This is all very real and there's not one Chopper or Space Hopper in sight. Little touches like telephone locks and the smell of nit shampoo just brought it all home

The film is dark and gritty but the soundtrack is amazing and her dancers are spot on. Elaine's experience as a photographer is very evident throughout as is her passion for the subject matter. She brilliantly captures the look on a dancer's face when they are lost in the music, when it's just you, the music and the dance floor.

There are several cameos in the film and they are all played down and the young leads really shine. All the cast do a superb job. I love the fact that James Lance is actually a good soul dancer and he picked up the moves to better understand his role but, in the film, you never see him dance. You can feel that kind of love, that dedication throughout the film from all involved. This was a labour of love and it worked.

Although the film sinks into a very dark place she really lifts it with the final scenes.

A great British picture and I was proud to be allowed to be part of it.

Me too. You only get a chance like this usually once in a lifetime and I think Elaine's done us proud. The bar has been set I believe.

Ian D :)

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Born and bred in one of the toughest towns in the north. Widnes. Pierced my own ear with a darning needle after melting two ice cubes on my ear to deaden it when I was fifteen. Had my first tattoo on my sixteenth birthday in 1975, also the year I first went Wigan. So yes there was ear,s pierced and tattoos about. Loads of my mates where the same.

Steve

 

We used to dream of having ice cubes! :wink:

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The lead probably was 'middle class'. His dad had floppy hair and went to work with a tie on to probably do something clerical. You make it sound like it's a massive problem with the film. To me it helps to give a back story as to why the lead character might feel marginalised in his environment.

 

Such families existed in every town in the country. The scene was always quite a broad church and reflected the demographics of the time. Surely one of the great things about Northern was that it really didn't matter what your folks did for a living. As long as you got into it and embraced all it offered you could be accepted. I'm sure lots of soul fans went to grammar schools, went on to have 'white collar' jobs etc. etc.

 

Speaking as someone who was born in Harrow, then later on in life married a Berkshire girl - I whole heartedly agree! :D It may have started as a Scene made up of working class people, but it soon embraced everyone - all having a common interest. That is what is so special about it - A Solicitor could be dancing next to an ex con, and neither would be 'judging' each other over their backgrounds.

 

A bit late maybe, but I also have a Saint tattoo (that I did at School)......and I do remember swearing once :wink: 

 

Len :thumbsup: 

Edited by LEN
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Speaking as someone who was born in Harrow, then later on in life married a Berkshire girl - I whole heartedly agree! :D It may have started as a Scene made up of working class people, but it soon embraced everyone - all having a common interest. That is what is so special about it - A Solicitor could be dancing next to an ex con, and neither would be 'judging' each other over their backgrounds.

 

A bit late maybe, but I also have a Saint tattoo (that I did at School)......and I do remember swearing once :wink: 

 

Len :thumbsup: 

So true Leonardo, look we excepted you and your doddgy musical tastes :-)) You are right though, every class, creed, colour, background accepted as long as your into the music that is all (God I even remember the days when no one gave a toss about what clothes you wore!) I remember being at a do where friends of ours were sat chatting, one being a bank manager and the other being the guy that had robbed same bank a few weeks earlier! Now thats a soulful brotherhood. 

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An unbelievable article on the Guardian film blog today:-

 

Northern Soul is a surprise top 10 hit at the UK box office as the Turtles roll in

 

Photographer Elaine Constantine’s feature debut lands inside the top 10 despite a release on just 83 screens; while Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sends Gone Girl packing.

The winner
 
Turned down by countless UK distributors and presented to cinema audiences without benefit of a UK film festival platform, British indie Northern Soul has astounded the film industry with a sensational result at the weekend. Landing inside the top 10, despite a release on just 83 screens, and limited showings at many of those venues, Northern Soul grossed a mighty impressive £279,000, according to official data gatherer Rentrak.
 
The film is the feature debut of acclaimed photographer Elaine Constantine, who has long been connected to the Northern Soul scene. UK distributors were perhaps cautious as the film seemed late to the party: Shimmy Marcus’s SoulBoy, which benefited from more-recognisable lead actors Martin Compston, Felicity Jones and Nichola Burley, premiered in 2010, going on to gross £101,000 at UK cinemas over its lifetime.
 
Northern Soul was acquired for the UK by Universal Pictures, and it’s reasonable to assume the company was looking at it more for home-entertainment value, since it sub-distributed theatrically through Munro Film Services, and the DVD is already in shops. It may have been taken by surprise at the impressive number of theatrical bookings achieved by Munro, and by the weekend gross.
 
Constantine said: “No one knew what to expect from this film. We had no star leads and a low budget.” She added that the appeal of the scene in the UK is perhaps underestimated, with more than 1 million people tuning in to watch a recent BBC2 TV documentary. And despite the very short window before DVD release, she always saw her film as a theatrical proposition, best enjoyed communally. “Northern Soul is not a passive audience. People travel across the whole country to experience an all-nighter. Going to the cinema does not present a challenge.”
 
With the film playing one-off shows at many venues and split screens (ie sharing with another film) at others, Northern Soul has achieved its impressive number from relatively limited play. Munro estimates the film had around 235 showings in total — from a maximum possible 996 slots (a potential four per day per venue, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Nottingham Broadway managed seven showings across the weekend, achieving about 97/98% seat occupancy. The Hull Reel achieved a similar result. The film scored particularly well in the Midlands, north-west, Yorkshire and London. Munro’s own weekend figure is in fact a slightly higher £286,000, so this will include some unconventional venues not tracked by Rentrak.
 
Despite being now available on DVD, more than 30 cinemas are holding Northern Soul this coming weekend, with 40 fresh sites also booking the title.
 
 

Ian D  :D 

 

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Me too. You only get a chance like this usually once in a lifetime and I think Elaine's done us proud. The bar has been set I believe.

Ian D :)

Ian, we`re never going to get everyones view of the era just as they saw it and how it was for the individual but coming myself from Burnley at that time Elaine absolutely nailed it for me!...................... the friendship, chemicals and camaraderie down to a tee. 

I`m sure Salvadors wasn`t covered up and there were a few out of era tunes played but she`s allowed license and she did it very well.

 

 

 

Phillis.....go see it if you can, its that good honey honest! :thumbsup:

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