The Film - Reviews

[Agentsmith]

already commented on fb ian...so let's do it again here! simply can't stand down the plaudits bro...they just keep coming, this is a life affirming triumph for elaine and you all,..we knew for decades a representation had to be made, now it's well and truly stamped on the grey matter of very likeminded person who is willing to give the underdog his/her chance...those amongst the distributors who failed to believe...are now reaping the whirlwind as it makes them so acutely embarrassed by their total ignorance at something that has been staring them back in the face for over 4 decades, not discounting soul music's popularity in the 60's....REAL MUSIC - REAL DANCING......NOT TODAY'S AEROBICS AND X-FACTOR SHITE.....finally someone has learned what sensibility is, it's called northern soul, it's a template for life, to be proud of, as keb said " and you will be listening to it for the next hundred years"......rings true dosn't it?...even moreso now the platform has been established...the last 17-18 years the scene hasn't really been underground at all, in fact it's been clearly visible and sustaining huge growth...we can't over emphasize just how important this statement is..youth has finally begun to accept that this is a fundamentally acceptable way of life and is embracing it in droves, the film captures that essence for them...perfectly 

[Stephen T]

Cheap or what !! 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Northern-Soul-DVD-2014/371168240738?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D2f16e93fa47f49cda73f66e91d12d2af%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D20140122125356%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D390937396965&rt=nc

original first issue innit

[Zoomsoulblue]

Just seen the DVD Tesco £8 - I will not get into the devil in the detail as what was wrong - good story line, some great characters especially the guy who was going paranoid - been there many times - music was fitting - only thing I thought was completely far fetched was when the car hit the lorry - when he found out his mate was injured or died, he didn't take the gear and the records and then ran off - well done to all involved - how do you follow that, - The Chris & Harry Story

[Mark S]

Thought it was a good film captured the maniacal side of the early seventies very well , thought the film got the balance right and didn't become a sugar coated Casino fest .

 Don't think any Normals watching it would get it though and that's not a bad thing as far as I,m concerned .

To be honest I didn't want to like this film but it hit the spot for me . ( Bargain at £7.99 in HMV )

[Guest east rob]

We used to dream of having ice cubes!

frozen sausage snapped in half? 

[Guest Byrney]

I must say the reviews on here are a complete contrast to the many on the poor quality Facebook Pages like I went to the Twisted casino etc.

 

Whether you liked it or not there's honesty in the posts on this site and not a series of ill thought out posts like on Facebook: "it was a piece of shit and was never like that and I've been around since blah blah" or "I never saw drugs during my years at Wigan Pier      allnighters" (seriously someone posted that). 

 

I also think it's Bob on that people who weren't behind the film have the strength of character to now say they enjoyed it. Fair play. 

[Algsoul]

been to see the film last night,good film,just a little to much on the gear side

when the lad  was on is back in the bogs he would have been covered in piss if it was the casino bogs  instead of it been dry    

[Steve S 60]

After seeing the film at the Blackburn premiere, I said I would reserve my judgement until I had seen it on a decent screen with a good sound system that would do it justice.  Well, I watched it last night on Blu Ray, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, being able to take in all the dialogue and make out everything on screen.  It reminds me of one of those kitchen sink dramas that the British do so well.  The characters were totally believable and were people you could relate to.  The young actors playing the leads were convincing in the roles, and drew you into the film.  The older established actors played their parts well, and didn't detract from the main protagonists.

As a period piece, it evoked mostly fond memories of the era, the decade that fashion forgot.  Wide trousers and big collars were in abundance.  Hands up whose Dads warned them they'd take off in a strong wind.  The settings were spot on, and provided an authentic backdrop.  The language and behaviour of the characters were in keeping with the time and location.

The soundtrack was used to good effect, and helped to enhance the images on screen.  Plenty of humour interspersed with the drama, with lots of laugh out loud moments, the dance competition trophy and the kids practicing their moves on an old mattress, one of them with a plaster cast on his foot.

Most poignant for me were the parallels I could draw with my own time on the scene, forty years condensed into ninety minutes.  Watching it on Blu Ray, the film was divided into twelve acts.  I'm currently at the end of Act 11, maybe time to get the spray paint out.  On a personal note, I would have to substitute the MVPs for the Tempests.......Someday.

I would implore everybody to watch the "Making Of Northern Soul", an extra on the Blu Ray.  It gives an insight into the incredible dedication and effort that went into this film.  Here's the intro....

 

https://youtu.be/_XdPvqEfJzE

 

Thanks Elaine and co.  You have repaid my faith.

Edited October 22, 2014 by Steve S 60

[Guest Byrney]

I watched the extra 'making of' piece last night, that's dedication for you and I'd also urge everyone to watch it. Especially the multiple buffoons on Facebook who were saying she was cashing in on 'their' scene.

Had the stop my bottom lip wobbling at one point, but I am a sensitive soul ;)

Edited October 22, 2014 by Byrney

[Rich B]

Thanks for sharing that article Ian, worth reading, for this quote alone!

 

 

 

Elaine C; “ People travel across the whole country to experience an all-nighter. Going to the cinema does not present a challenge.”

 

[Steve S 60]

I watched the extra 'making of' piece last night, that's dedication for you and I'd also urge everyone to watch it. Especially the multiple buffoons on Facebook who were saying she was cashing in on 'their' scene.

Had the stop my bottom lip wobbling at one point, but I am a sensitive soul ;)

 

Permission to wobble bottom lip approved.

[Ian Dewhirst]

Thanks for sharing that article Ian, worth reading, for this quote alone!

That's a killer quote. I laughed out loud when I read that....

Ian D

[Ian Dewhirst]

Full page in today's Metro too. It's hard to absorb how quickly everything's happening now. Page 46. Can't do a link as I'm in the infuriating post-apocalypse world of commuting into London by train.....

Ian D

[TheBigO]

I watched the extra 'making of' piece last night, that's dedication for you and I'd also urge everyone to watch it. Especially the multiple buffoons on Facebook who were saying she was cashing in on 'their' scene.

Had the stop my bottom lip wobbling at one point, but I am a sensitive soul ;)

Agree totally, the knockers should watch this and they may learn a little as to why it took so long to get it out and also the many pitfalls along the way. 

[Winnie :-)]

After seeing the film at the Blackburn premiere, I said I would reserve my judgement until I had seen it on a decent screen with a good sound system that would do it justice.  Well, I watched it last night on Blu Ray, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, being able to take in all the dialogue and make out everything on screen.  It reminds me of one of those kitchen sink dramas that the British do so well.  The characters were totally believable and were people you could relate to.  The young actors playing the leads were convincing in the roles, and drew you into the film.  The older established actors played their parts well, and didn't detract from the main protagonists.

As a period piece, it evoked mostly fond memories of the era, the decade that fashion forgot.  Wide trousers and big collars were in abundance.  Hands up whose Dads warned them they'd take off in a strong wind.  The settings were spot on, and provided an authentic backdrop.  The language and behaviour of the characters were in keeping with the time and location.

The soundtrack was used to good effect, and helped to enhance the images on screen.  Plenty of humour interspersed with the drama, with lots of laugh out loud moments, the dance competition trophy and the kids practicing their moves on an old mattress, one of them with a plaster cast on his foot.

Most poignant for me were the parallels I could draw with my own time on the scene, forty years condensed into ninety minutes.  Watching it on Blu Ray, the film was divided into twelve acts.  I'm currently at the end of Act 11, maybe time to get the spray paint out.  On a personal note, I would have to substitute the MVPs for the Tempests.......Someday.

I would implore everybody to watch the "Making Of Northern Soul", an extra on the Blu Ray.  It gives an insight into the incredible dedication and effort that went into this film.  Here's the intro....

 

https://youtu.be/_XdPvqEfJzE

 

Thanks Elaine and co.  You have repaid my faith.

Great review Steve 

[Guest]

Amazon £7.99 shipped!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Northern-Soul-DVD-Steve-Coogan/dp/B00LSW6XGE

[Guest Chris61]

Watched the DVD last night, gave it 4 stars this morning. Thought it came over very well, the story line hung together and set things up for the future(?) very nicely. Personally would have liked more 'Wigan' dance scenes and more 'Record' finding, but that's just me. Elaine must have had time constraints and could only tell a story which,  she did very very well.

[Guest]

I think the 1st thing I uttered to the wife was," The bogs were never that dry, clean or empty."

 

Enjoyed it immensely!   

Edited October 23, 2014 by Guest

[Swifty]

I think the 1st thing I uttered to the wife was," he bogs were never that dry, clean or empty."

 

Enjoyed it immensely!   

  Said just the same to my Mrs.   and we enjoyed the film , found it difficult to not keep saying things like , I wore them , I had that , I did that etc and  that's so and so singing but managed to keep my gob shut , for once

Edited October 22, 2014 by SWIFTY

[Steve S 60]

  Said just the same to my Mrs.   and we enjoyed the film , found it difficult to not keep saying things like , I wore them , I had that , I did that etc and  that's so and so singing but managed to keep my gob shut , for once

 

Swifty, I hope you weren't referring to the young lass in the record shop with the white jeans with tartan trimming.

[Guest]

Even Harry on the door bore a striking resemblance to the big old Casino legend!

[Guest]

Mark Kermode gives it a good revue on 5 Live: 

https://youtu.be/1kJ6xiFtKlc

[Vin]

Thoroughly enjoyed it.....There is a small bit of us all somewhere in that film...

[Winsford Soul]

I,m finally getting chance to watch it on Friday with virgin on demand( think its £3.99). didn't get chance to go the pictures. Am so looking forward to watching it.  

 

Steve

[Swifty]

Swifty, I hope you weren't referring to the young lass in the record shop with the white jeans with tartan trimming.

[Steve S 60]

Another article inspired by the release of the film, this time from North of the Border........

 

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/what-s-on/film/film-brings-northern-soul-back-to-edinburgh-1-3580052

[Rhino]

I'm sorry to sound offensive but to some replies on here I can only say you should have got out a bit more.tattoes earrings, swearing were part of life along time before 1974 I myself was heavily tattoes and wore earrings and was into soul music in 1967 onwards along with lots of other Soulies you cannot pigeonhole and should not pigeonhole the soul scene it has too many facets for that.

                                      God Bless Mick Lyons

 

 

would pigeonhole you mate or would of like to meet the man that did but as long as can remember of my 28 years on the scene tattooes and earings and all forms of gold where worn (rings,bracelets etc) it was never a strict fashion just as long as you didnt look like drug squad

[Mark S]

Naff haircuts shit shirts and shoes gave the DS away they were,nt fooling anyone

Edited October 22, 2014 by Mark S

[Agentsmith]

Another article inspired by the release of the film, this time from North of the Border........

 

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/what-s-on/film/film-brings-northern-soul-back-to-edinburgh-1-3580052

very free flowing comment, easy to read, no attempt to explore the finite and technical, just straight forward...a big well done to the scotsman for a compact expose' 

[Philly]

Swifty, I hope you weren't referring to the young lass in the record shop with the white jeans with tartan trimming.

No, that was me that wore them, white skinners with tartan down the sides  

[Guest]

No, that was me that wore them, white skinners with tartan down the sides  

Yes...............last year at Cleethorpes it was......very fetching indeed and may catch on! 

[Swifty]

Did have white Skinners at some point  and bought a Crombie of a mate for a Quid that had Tartan lapels 

[Guest Dave Turner]

Did have white Skinners at some point  and bought a Crombie of a mate for a Quid that had Tartan lapels 

 

Bet you looked a right twa t  

[Philly]

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

 

Saw it on Monday Steve and absolutely loved it ...

[Guest]

Did have white Skinners at some point  and bought a Crombie of a mate for a Quid that had Tartan lapels 

I had a Prince of Wales checked Crombie, I borrowed of a mate and didn`t give him back..............Owen Pate!

I think I looked more like the Prince of Whales!

[Swifty]

Bet you looked a right twa t  

Dave , have always looked a Twot , wonker !!!

[Guest]

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

 

Saw it on Monday Steve and absolutely loved it ...

Gonna get the DVD to show the kids what it was really like......they know all about it from me, I never did sugar-coat it for them..... and alway told them to ask me about any drugs around them that they were aware of and i`d tell them the ins and outs of it.

 Its very well explained in the film.

[Seano]

Great reading through everyone's reviews. I've got to wait for the screening in Oxford's Phoenix this Sunday, and have put the Blu-Ray that arrived at the weekend out of temptation's way (hopefully).

 

Inevitably a few key details have leaked out via reviews here and elsewhere, but I'm hoping the atmosphere of seeing it in the cinema will be worth the wait - and then we can all head back and watch the Blu-Ray as well!

[Guest manusf3a]

I think the film included a touch of all eras - I wasn't there in the 70's but related to so many things, not least the emotions.

 

All the best,

 

Len - 'The Soppy Git'  

Just got back from watching the screening in Peterborough with Kimbo,Lisa and Mark,you wont get any nitpicking from me as I really liked the film as I am quite certain in saying that we all did.Anyone can find little things to pick fault with in anything they watch  ,this wasnt a documentary and  so as far as I am concerned I was really happy with the presentation and the way aspects of the scene were portrayed ,like you Len I got a bit emotional myself at times at emotions shown on the screen as part of the story and there was so many things I can relate too.I am definately going to buy the dvd,before I was looking forward to the release of "Soulboy " and when I did eventualy see it after all the anticipation it felt like having an enema with red hot chilli powder mixed with wombat urine(not that I have ever had one of said treatments but can imagine its not nice and would be very disapointing if thats what you got when you thought you had won a ticket to the cup final with your team playing),in my honest opinion what the hell was that Irish film critic thinking of!)Soulboy  0 Northern soul the movie 10.In no way was the use of drugs given to much attention by the film

 or glamourised it was what it was.

 

A really nice touch the mention in the credits for the llass Fran r.i.p bless her sadly passed on.Well done Elaine and your crew you did good!.

Edited October 22, 2014 by manusf3a

[Ian Dewhirst]

Just got back from watching the screening in Peterborough with Kimbo,Lisa and Mark,you wont get any nitpicking from me as I really liked the film as I am quite certain in saying that we all did.Anyone can find little things to pick fault with in anything they watch  ,this wasnt a documentary and  so as far as I am concerned I was really happy with the presentation and the way aspects of the scene were portrayed ,like you Len I got a bit emotional myself at times at emotions shown on the screen as part of the story and there was so many things I can relate too.I am definately going to buy the dvd,before I was looking forward to the release of "Soulboy " and when I did eventualy see it after all the anticipation it felt like having an enema with red hot chilli powder mixed with wombat urine(not that I have ever had one of said treatments but can imagine its not nice and would be very disapointing if thats what you got when you thought you had won a ticket to the cup final with your team playing),in my honest opinion what the hell was that Irish film critic thinking of!)Soulboy  0 Northern soul the movie 10.In no way was the use of drugs given to much attention by the film.

 

Couldn't agree more. No point in sugar-coating the reality. It was a f*ckin' EDGY scene. I somehow got by 'cos I was a fanatical Collector/DJ with his own car and an enviable set of very good guardian angels (i.e. nutters) and thus, was always protected. 

 

In my crowd, I was Mr Straight. A large percentage of my key Northern Soul years were spent trying to understand ridiculous conversations from incoherent people who were either drooling at the mouth or gurning whilst talking about how rare the Steinways was. Think Pete Lawson. I somehow put up with it at the time and didn't really click how prevalent the drugs thing was until I re-connected with Pete again in the later 1970s and thus got a better understanding of things. 

 

I didn't even consider the implications of the 'dark' side of the film 'cos that's pretty much as I remember things. Like I said earlier, this has always been an edgy scene. Glad you liked it.

 

Ian D 

[Guest manusf3a]

When the lad had his first block up and went home to his bedroom and sat up all night listening to the tape he had been given,bloody hell he made the feeling of that so realistic and emotional as phook with his acting  ,both lads acted really well as did the older cockney mate and the others,his two edgy northern mates you saw for the first time banging on the car window and shouting at him when they got to Wigan,yeh there were quite a few lads just l;ike that hovering about on the scene then at all the nighters most of them knowledgeable as phook about the music as well as being right out there on the edge helping to make things what they were in terms of atmosphere.There was a spectrum of lots of different types of folk made up the scene and again thats what contributed to make our scene the best ever  seen .As Ive said the film wasnt a docmentary ,and when you it comes to tying to show that wonderful magic mix that was then well the film did a great job,I said to my mate Kimbo at a certain part of it that  makes me feel emotional seeing that,it just did as did other parts yeh Im going over to buy the dvd if I can get it in town during me work break tomorrow,too phooking right.I know I as others have said on here could relate the charecters to people I know ,knew some sadly passed on to the big nighter itself isnt that a great bit of praise for a film just to have made you feel that without bothering about nit picking over little stylistic  issues etc.

 

One thing this film did was sitting in the cinema and around you you see other folk from the scene some you know , you know that theyre going to be feeling it too at certain points in the film and this is going on at cinamas all round the country and has been doing some on other nights this week starting from thursday last,Saturdays,Sundays and as here Wednesday as well, thats what I call emotional  as I am certain Len will and if that puts me in the big softie catergory well I am happy to be there Len,h i mate look theres loads of others in here with us!massive big bunch of softies!.Good stuff indeed.

Edited October 23, 2014 by manusf3a

[Dave Rimmer]

I watched it last night. Here's a review that counts more than mine though:

 

"That was really good, I really enjoyed that." - Tony Rimmer, aged 30, who is into groups like Puddle Of Filth, and Slipknot. He also goes to the cinema on a regular basis to watch all the new films and added "I wouldn't mind seeing that on a big screen."

 

So, there's a review from someone not into the scene at all (Although obviously he has had exposure to it, I just don't know where I went wrong with his musical education ), who regularly watches big budget films at the cinema.

 

Personally I found it a bit scary to see so much of my life in 1974 on the screen, the detail was stupendous !

[Mark R]

I thought it was great......so much of it resonated with me.

One question though - was there really much swearing on a mic in 70's? I mean I know what Keb was like in the 80's and I noted that Guy was DJ coach to the film (as an aside this pleased me as I've said publicly before that IMHO there was no better deliverer of a gritty 69's tune), but was this really prevalant in the 70's.

Anyway, I digress. What a triumph!


Cheers,
Mark R

Edited October 23, 2014 by Mark R

[Steve S 60]

Box Office figures for the weekend, courtesy of BFI.  The telling figure is the Site Average, with those cinemas showing the film being packed out.  It would have ranked 4 based on site average, bearing in mind that the Hollywood blockbusters would have been shown on more than one screen in the multiplexes.

 

Rank - 10

Weekend Gross - £278,829

Number of Cinemas - 83

Site Average - £3,359

Edited October 23, 2014 by Steve S 60

[Guest manusf3a]

I thought it was great......so much of ut resonated with me.

One question though - was there really much swearing on a mic in 70's? I mean I know what Keb was like in the 80's and I noted that Guy was DJ coach to the film (as an aside this pleased me as I've said publicly beforecthat IMHO there wss no better deliverer if a gritty 69's tune), but was this really prevelant in the 70's.

Anyway, I digress. What a triumph!

Cheers,

Mark R

Not that I noticed mate though  Alan Day used to have a good waffle at times,very exuberhant but didnt hear  the profanity would say it was much a keb darge thing,thats what I thought the actor was modelled on in my opinion so did my mate Kimbo,,for the film though it was just right for the charecter  to dj in this way,his role all over ,you would not expect a simple name and title between plays  from him.

[Guest manusf3a]

Box Office figures for the weekend, courtesy of BFI.  The telling figure is the Site Average, with those cinemas showing the film being packed out.  It would have ranked 4 based on site average, bearing in mind that the Hollywood blockbusters would have been shown on more than one screen in the multiplexes.

 

Rank - 10

Weekend Gross - £278,829

Number of Cinemas - 83

Site Average - £3,359

Say approx 278,829quid divided by ten(AVERAGE ADMISSION PRICE APPROX )=27,882.9 Number of people watched.27,882=approx 335 people on average approx attending each showing,thats not bad!for the weekend .Wonder how many dvd's are going to sell?quite a few I would imagine?Then there is last nights numbers when we went ,I wouldn't prdict as high an average number attending as the weekend showing however there was still a fair number where we went in Peterborough,not crowded but still a fair few I would imagine the weekend showing here had a high attendence considering the amount of people in this area into soul who attend and did attend nighters from the seventies till now.Who knows how many may have ended up going to watch with a more extended run nationwide.

Edited October 23, 2014 by manusf3a

[Steve L]

I thought it was great......so much of it resonated with me.

One question though - was there really much swearing on a mic in 70's? I mean I know what Keb was like in the 80's and I noted that Guy was DJ coach to the film (as an aside this pleased me as I've said publicly before that IMHO there was no better deliverer of a gritty 69's tune), but was this really prevalant in the 70's.

Anyway, I digress. What a triumph!

Cheers,

Mark R

 

I've no idea, I never heard anything they said and still don't (very often) 

[Tattoodave]

DVD arrived yesterday morning, hoped it might have been something to cheer me up after one of my dogs passed away on Tuesday morning, but shortly after it arrived the cat was run over and died at the vets, so I'm saving it for a less dark time in my life as I don't want to blubber my way through it all, as I know I probably would.  Secretly I can't wait, it's been well overdue, but I have the patience of Job.

[Steve S 60]

Say approx 278,829quid divided by ten(AVERAGE ADMISSION PRICE APPROX )=27,882.9 Number of people watched.27,882=approx 335 people on average approx attending each showing,thats not bad!for the weekend .Wonder how many dvd's are going to sell?quite a few I would imagine?Then there is last nights numbers when we went ,I wouldn't prdict as high an average number attending as the weekend showing however there was still a fair number where we went in Peterborough,not crowded but still a fair few I would imagine the weekend showing here had a high attendence considering the amount of people in this area into soul who attend and did attend nighters from the seventies till now.Who knows how many may have ended up going to watch with a more extended run nationwide.

 

Those aren't the full figures either Manus.  I don't think the cinema screenings arranged through OurScreen were included.

[Sunnysoul]

Those aren't the full figures either Manus.  I don't think the cinema screenings arranged through OurScreen were included.

 

The public reaction and the box office opening for the film obviously has the industry agog ... the parallels with what happened in the early 70s on the UK pop charts are uncanny  ... when all of a sudden years old tracks by The Tams and Archie Bell and the Drells started shooting up the charts from out of nowhere.