The Film - Reviews

[Biggordy]

A very good film. I can't comment on what they got right or wrong as I wasn't there at the time (don't think they'd have allowed a 6 year old in!) but as an actual film, great slice of British drama.  Was the character that got killed with his favourite songs tattooed on his arm based on Pete Lawson?  

[Guest bleusuperb]

Just back from seeing the film up here in Dundee, really enjoyable and an accurate portrayal of the time, felt a wee bit emotional at times, will never experience those days again but the memories are for keeps.

Venue was sold out for first showing last night and almost full again tonight, recognised a few faces from the past in the crowd.

[macca]

I'm not really sure, but I'm also not sure if Speilberg hunted sharks of if George lucas flew a Millenium Falcon.

Or experience the queue at Treblinka.

[pikeys dog]

Let's keep this thread civil.

 

If you want to call each other names please take it to personal messages.

 

Thanks.

[pogo paul]

Yeah, I heard Fran mention it too in Mason's documentary. But that doesn't explain why we were doing kicks years before we had even heard of kung-fu.

Old clips of Major Lance, James Brown etc. all show them doing kicks while performing their songs. Probably seen on stage at places like The Twisted Wheel and fed down to the dancers. Didn't see the other posts, so agree with them.

Edited October 26, 2014 by pogo paul

[Hornet]

A very good film. I can't comment on what they got right or wrong as I wasn't there at the time (don't think they'd have allowed a 6 year old in!) but as an actual film, great slice of British drama.  Was the character that got killed with his favourite songs tattooed on his arm based on Pete Lawson?  

Carnt comment either as f**ked if I can remember 

[Guest Byrney]

I have given the film some thought as to whether it was a good thing for the film to offer a warts and all perspective.

 

IMO it was the right thing to do, not only from a dramatic perspective but as a reminder to the safe, cuddly aspects of the Nostalgia scene that it wasn't always ( we'll ever really up until recently) about the Hokeh Cokeh, dressing in period costume, Nurvun dinner dance nights, open to all dance lessons and flash mobs. 

 

I think many getting upset by the way the scene was represented in the film are those whose memories are tied into today's Chicken in a Basket scene so nicely presented by some promoters.

 

Very glad it's ruffled feathers

[Scotters]

Really enjoyed the film and hope those involved earn a few quid for their considerable efforts thanks.

 

Watched it with 80 or so others in the Studio Room at The Castle in Wellingborough, which was perfect venue having danced a bit in that room in recent years at the All Dayers..... firmly one to remember being first (probably only) time where I knew or recognised so many others when watching a film out. Great banter in the room and you could feel how certain parts evoked strong memories within all sorts of people in there, even for me as a kid in the 70s. The loud and respectful applause at the end summed it up well I think.

 

Was bloody hard to sit still though!....what a soundtrack and doubt I'll see a better music based coming of age film. I'm back on striped S snake belts for the winter

 

Cheers, Steve

[Tattoodave]

Watched it again without the beer glasses (Sangria and gin and tonic really), and enjoyed it as much as the first. I could pick a few small holes in it, but as a part of cinematography I found it great, breathtakingly real in parts and I now find my Tinnitus justified. Hats off to all those involved, best film I've seen for ages.

[Guest]

A very good film. I can't comment on what they got right or wrong as I wasn't there at the time (don't think they'd have allowed a 6 year old in!) but as an actual film, great slice of British drama.  Was the character that got killed with his favourite songs tattooed on his arm based on Pete Lawson?

No because Pete Lawson had them tattooed on his chest!! (Some of the lyrics to IF YOU ASK ME - JERRY WILLIAMS - CALLA)

[Little-stevie]

Is there a link to the final vote on soul source from the poll for Soul Boy?? Maybe good to compare as many talk of both films.... I ain't seen this new film, will vote when I do... As Pete Smith says, would be good to see some reviews from those that gave this a less than average vote as in the main it's been well received, always good to get a balance??? I can see why some would keep quiet in downgrading the film, certain characters just waiting to shoot you down... Let's have it , warts and all...

[Mark S]

I recon that peoples perceptions of the film will vary depending on when and how they got into the scene and wether they can identify with that time or not . For me the film had a pre - 1975 feel about it so it was easy for me to recognise . Heard a few comments off people about the films drug scenes it happened so should be included plus I dont think they were disproportionate . The film was,nt about Wigan Casino so the Casino scenes were well ballanced and well detailed and not overdone .

 There are more than enough Rose tinted views on youtube from all the naff representations documentarys etc and to its credit this film isnt one . 

Edited October 26, 2014 by Mark S

[hullsoul]

I have given the film some thought as to whether it was a good thing for the film to offer a warts and all perspective.

 

IMO it was the right thing to do, not only from a dramatic perspective but as a reminder to the safe, cuddly aspects of the Nostalgia scene that it wasn't always ( we'll ever really up until recently) about the Hokeh Cokeh, dressing in period costume, Nurvun dinner dance nights, open to all dance lessons and flash mobs. 

 

I think many getting upset by the way the scene was represented in the film are those whose memories are tied into today's Chicken in a Basket scene so nicely presented by some promoters.

 

Very glad it's ruffled feathers

Byrney

I keep banging on to my mates that some of those old boys who used to frighten you to death with just a look should come out of retirement & attend a few of these sanitised,squeaky clean,posh night's where all the expensive designer clothes,jewellery,£200 handbags are on show.They wouldn't believe what they were seeing & make a fortune in double quick time,I think that would cull a few of those who think it was a "nice" scene     

Cheers

Martyn

Edited October 26, 2014 by hullsoul

[Chatty]

 Adolf's not impressed, "I heard you whistling Nine times out of Ten! Classic!!

 

[hullsoul]

Talking to my mates wife who didn't go to Wigan & she only got into northern when she married her husband,found the second half of the film a little harrowing,I think the reality of what went on was a bit of a shock to her.She wasn't criticizing the film I just think the subject matter & how graphic it was took her by surprise & not a very nice surprise at that,I think her naivety has been dented.

Cheers

Martyn

[Ian Dewhirst]

I recon that peoples perceptions of the film will vary depending on when and how they got into the scene and wether they can identify with that time or not . For me the film had a pre - 1975 feel about it so it was easy for me to recognise . Heard a few comments off people about the films drug scenes it happened so should be included plus I dont think they were disproportionate . The film was,nt about Wigan Casino so the Casino scenes were well ballanced and well detailed and not overdone .

 There are more than enough Rose tinted views on youtube from all the naff representations documentarys etc this film isnt one . 

 

I concur totally. The amount of negative comments about the swearing and drug usage seems very odd for anyone that was supposedly there at the time and lived and breathed it. It's well-known that, somewhat incredibly, I never took drugs throughout this period. It wasn't uncommon for me to grab an hours kip between 4.00-5.00am and then get back to it. However, I was surrounded by druggy stuff whether I liked it or not. The Central got busted at least three times whilst I was there, even one time when I was dee-jaying and got ordered to switch the music off. I had my car searched by the D.S. regularly and, I think, was even a target for them as a local DJ who went to all the nighters, generally with a bunch of prime suspects LOL. Standard procedure at a drug bust back then, was for the police to shine a light in your eyes to determine drug-usage via the size of one's pupils. The rule for anyone travelling to gigs with me back then was, "if you've got any gear, then neck it before we set off" in case of a stop en-route to a nighter.

 

I mean this is all standard stuff and no surprise to any of us that were there. You would have had to be delusional not to have experienced this stuff as the correlation between the Northern Scene and drugs was documented throughout the whole period with drug busts, club closures and numerous reports in the local papers. I got grilled about all this by my parents all the time.  

 

I've had a few discussions about this in the last week or so. In my circles, the people who complained about the darkness, language and drugs never went. They were generally friends or relations of people I know and they were genuinely shocked by those scenes. If they'd have experienced it first-hand, they wouldn't have been shocked is my conclusion.

 

But hey, tough shit. That's how it was. The Northern Soul scene was not a scene for softies. The people who are moaning about this stuff probably went to a Soul night on Tuesdays at Tiffanies or something and think that's enough to qualify 'em. 

 

I was even conversing with Dave Evison last night and we both concur that it was chillingly accurate and we were both there every week during that period so we both actually know first-hand. That's good enough for me. 

 

Ian D 

Edited October 26, 2014 by Ian Dewhirst

[Kegsy]

I concur totally. The amount of negative comments about the swearing and drug usage 

 

Ian D 

 

The only bit of swearing that didn,t ring true for me was the Dj bit.

I don't remember any DJ at the time giving it that whether it was a Nighter, Dayer, Local Night or Youth Club.

That bit just didn't ring true to me.

In fact a DJ who gave out crap like that to the dance floor would probably have got a slap in my day.

Even that most Maverick of all the Djs Alan Day wasn't doing that although

the odd curse might have slipped through.

The best one was Martyn Ellis announcing a record as "the next bloody big biggun", I kid you not.

As for the drug bits I couldn't possible comment.  

Edited October 26, 2014 by Kegsy

[Guest MBarrett]

Is there a link to the final vote on soul source from the poll for Soul Boy?? Maybe good to compare as many talk of both films.... I ain't seen this new film, will vote when I do... As Pete Smith says, would be good to see some reviews from those that gave this a less than average vote as in the main it's been well received, always good to get a balance??? I can see why some would keep quiet in downgrading the film, certain characters just waiting to shoot you down... Let's have it , warts and all...

 

Stevie

 

I set up that poll for Soulboy. This is the link:

 

I did the Soulboy poll as marks out of 10 and the final result was 6.2 out of 10. Because the Northern Soul poll is marks out of 5 it doesn't compare directly but I think it's statistically sound to multiply the result by 2 which gives 3.8 X 2 =7.6.

 

So Soulboy at 6.2 out of 10 compares to Northern Soul at 7.6 out of 10.

 

As you say would be interesting to see if people think that is about the right result, too big a gap, too small or should even be the other way round!!

 

Over to you . . . . . . .

Edited October 26, 2014 by MBarrett

[Billywhizz]

She WASN'T there!

i was for the first 4 years, i havent seen the film yet,ill been told in graphic,it sounds good to me,i take my hat of to her, i cant see anyone else doing the mile, looking forward to seeing it, cheers Billy.  

[Guest Dave Moran]

I concur totally. The amount of negative comments about the swearing and drug usage seems very odd for anyone that was supposedly there at the time and lived and breathed it. It's well-known that, somewhat incredibly, I never took drugs throughout this period. It wasn't uncommon for me to grab an hours kip between 4.00-5.00am and then get back to it. However, I was surrounded by druggy stuff whether I liked it or not. The Central got busted at least three times whilst I was there, even one time when I was dee-jaying and got ordered to switch the music off. I had my car searched by the D.S. regularly and, I think, was even a target for them as a local DJ who went to all the nighters, generally with a bunch of prime suspects LOL. Standard procedure at a drug bust back then, was for the police to shine a light in your eyes to determine drug-usage via the size of one's pupils. The rule for anyone travelling to gigs with me back then was, "if you've got any gear, then neck it before we set off" in case of a stop en-route to a nighter.

 

I mean this is all standard stuff and no surprise to any of us that were there. You would have had to be delusional not to have experienced this stuff as the correlation between the Northern Scene and drugs was documented throughout the whole period with drug busts, club closures and numerous reports in the local papers. I got grilled about all this by my parents all the time.  

 

I've had a few discussions about this in the last week or so. In my circles, the people who complained about the darkness, language and drugs never went. They were generally friends or relations of people I know and they were genuinely shocked by those scenes. If they'd have experienced it first-hand, they wouldn't have been shocked is my conclusion.

 

But hey, tough shit. That's how it was. The Northern Soul scene was not a scene for softies. The people who are moaning about this stuff probably went to a Soul night on Tuesdays at Tiffanies or something and think that's enough to qualify 'em. 

 

I was even conversing with Dave Evison last night and we both concur that it was chillingly accurate and we were both there every week during that period so we both actually know first-hand. That's good enough for me. 

 

Ian D 

 

My beef was that although the drugs, darkness and violence were all part of the scene of course, it took up far much of a film called 'Northern Soul'

I remember the feelgood factor above everything else. And that didn't come across much at all for me.

 

Still worth watching of course, I suppose it's all about individual perspectives.

[pow wow mik]

Well I think it is very, very pertinent...dear chap.

Apart from the merits of the film....she was touted as being "one of us"....however it transpires that she didn't attend the time she portrays....a bit like being in the Free Trade Hall in Manchester when The Sex Pistols performed...but actually not being in there!

Now do you get my drift????

No.

the point you're making is absurd. history is generally recorded by people who weren't involved in the subject of their study, by investigation and research.

Unless you really believe that Copolla didnt have the right to dramatise mafia life because he was never a gangster? If only those involved could record their own history, there'd be very little documented record of any folk / working class culture.

[hullsoul]

My beef was that although the drugs, darkness and violence were all part of the scene of course, it took up far much of a film called 'Northern Soul'

I remember the feelgood factor above everything else. And that didn't come across much at all for me.

 

Still worth watching of course, I suppose it's all about individual perspectives.

Dave

That's a very valid point,others have also pointed out other important parts of the experience were not covered or glossed over.But thinking about it doing a film to cover all those very complex intertwined threads that make up the nighter scene of that time along with financial & length of film constraints I think is nigh on impossible.That's why I think there could easily be another film to cover some of those things that were missed in the first one..........I mean it was left open perfectly for him to go to the US record hunting?

Cheers

Martyn   

[Stevie]

 

 

So Soulboy at 6.2 out of 10 compares to Northern Soul at 7.6 out of 10.

 

As you say would be interesting to see if people think that is about the right result, too big a gap, too small or should even be the other way round!!

 

Over to you . . . . . . .

 

 

In my opinion, having now seen the film,  Soul Boy is very much the poor relation.

 

Only criticisms of NS were as others have said - clean, bright empty toilets at WC and swearing down the mike. My first experience of this came much later. There may have been others but Nogger and Chris King spring to mind during early nineties.

 

All in all I thought NS captured an experience that I can fully relate to during the first three years, apart from the luxury of travelling by car. All my journeys were by train which of course involved running the gauntlet up Station Road on the way there. Saw a number of people getting 'rolled' on the station the way home as well (for clothes as well as money). There was definitely a dark side, which meant you needed to have your wits about you at times, but never to the extent that it clouded what was a fantastic experience which I think is mirrored in the film where, despite everything that happened, the characters retained their love of the music.

[Orotava]

I watched the DVD last night with my wife and we both enjoyed it immensely - me, because I went to Wigan and swear they were just the best times of my entire life (regardless of what is to come), and my wife because she loves anything related to the 70s.  The film was a brilliant portrayal of those life and times - the more so when you stop to consider this was set 40 years ago.  Some folk have spotted the odd anachronism, and I would have liked the Casino to have been portrayed more as the semi-dark, dingy place with filthy toilets and nicotine running walls which was all part of its `charm` but hey, overall a good job done I`d say       

[Guest Byrney]

I think the gap is too close, Soulboy is in my view technically a very poor film (if I remember rightly). I never felt immersed or to use the term 'suspended disbelief' as I just knew all the way I was watching a poor construct. Visually it seemed off, no extras on the street, poorly constructed sets and a juxtaposition of this england footage with close shots of six or so extras dancing.

 

the sub plot also made no sense, the Irish guy running off with butchers wife: there was no narrative run up or indication to this and it added nothing in my view to the overall story. 

 

There were minor things that in my view were not bang on but some of that can be said for Elaines film. I didn't like the sugar sweet story but that's a taste issue not one that Id base a filmic review on. 

 

Going back to Petes point about some not posting because they might get shot down, I'd welcome both sides but if some comes on with definitive statements like 'no one did drugs, we were all there for the music, it should have been about the wheel, the torch etc' or if someone's pissed off because it didn't articulte their life story I think it's fair to expect a debate

Stevie

 

I set up that poll for Soulboy. This is the link:

 

I did the Soulboy poll as marks out of 10 and the final result was 6.2 out of 10. Because the Northern Soul poll is marks out of 5 it doesn't compare directly but I think it's statistically sound to multiply the result by 2 which gives 3.8 X 2 =7.6.

 

So Soulboy at 6.2 out of 10 compares to Northern Soul at 7.6 out of 10.

 

As you say would be interesting to see if people think that is about the right result, too big a gap, too small or should even be the other way round!!

 

Over to you . . . . . . .

[Quinvy]

I concur totally. The amount of negative comments about the swearing and drug usage seems very odd for anyone that was supposedly there at the time and lived and breathed it. It's well-known that, somewhat incredibly, I never took drugs throughout this period. It wasn't uncommon for me to grab an hours kip between 4.00-5.00am and then get back to it. However, I was surrounded by druggy stuff whether I liked it or not. The Central got busted at least three times whilst I was there, even one time when I was dee-jaying and got ordered to switch the music off. I had my car searched by the D.S. regularly and, I think, was even a target for them as a local DJ who went to all the nighters, generally with a bunch of prime suspects LOL. Standard procedure at a drug bust back then, was for the police to shine a light in your eyes to determine drug-usage via the size of one's pupils. The rule for anyone travelling to gigs with me back then was, "if you've got any gear, then neck it before we set off" in case of a stop en-route to a nighter.

 

I mean this is all standard stuff and no surprise to any of us that were there. You would have had to be delusional not to have experienced this stuff as the correlation between the Northern Scene and drugs was documented throughout the whole period with drug busts, club closures and numerous reports in the local papers. I got grilled about all this by my parents all the time.  

 

I've had a few discussions about this in the last week or so. In my circles, the people who complained about the darkness, language and drugs never went. They were generally friends or relations of people I know and they were genuinely shocked by those scenes. If they'd have experienced it first-hand, they wouldn't have been shocked is my conclusion.

 

But hey, tough shit. That's how it was. The Northern Soul scene was not a scene for softies. The people who are moaning about this stuff probably went to a Soul night on Tuesdays at Tiffanies or something and think that's enough to qualify 'em. 

 

I was even conversing with Dave Evison last night and we both concur that it was chillingly accurate and we were both there every week during that period so we both actually know first-hand. That's good enough for me. 

 

Ian D 

I think it's me you are getting at Ian, and indeed I wan't there. That's why I asked the questions about the accuracy of the film.

 

It soon became apparent that I was the only person on the forum that wasn't there and indeed thought the film was very accurate in it's depiction of 1974 at the Casino.

 

I am still the only person I have ever met that didn't actually go to Wigan.

 

In mitigation, the reasons that I didn't go are that I didn't want to be involved in a scene that was rife with drugs and violence.

 

I am that softie.

[Ian Dewhirst]

In mitigation, the reasons that I didn't go are that I didn't want to be involved in a scene that was rife with drugs and violence.

 

I am that softie.

 

That's all right Quinvy. I understand mate. We used to tolerate softies but make sure that we always got 'em home before midnight for their bedtime horlicks before setting off @ 12.00pm for a night of drug-induced mayhem and musical perfection. Someone had to stay home! 

 

Ian D 

[Professorturnups]

In my opinion, having now seen the film,  Soul Boy is very much the poor relation.

 

Only criticisms of NS were as others have said - clean, bright empty toilets at WC and swearing down the mike. My first experience of this came much later. There may have been others but Nogger and Chris King spring to mind during early nineties.

Mick Summers!!

All in all I thought NS captured an experience that I can fully relate to during the first three years, apart from the luxury of travelling by car. All my journeys were by train which of course involved running the gauntlet up Station Road on the way there. Saw a number of people getting 'rolled' on the station the way home as well (for clothes as well as money). There was definitely a dark side, which meant you needed to have your wits about you at times, but never to the extent that it clouded what was a fantastic experience which I think is mirrored in the film where, despite everything that happened, the characters retained their love of the music.

[MrsWoodsrules]

Or experience the queue at Treblinka.

 

Although to be fair Macca, being a Jew does give Speilberg more insight and empathy when dealing with a subject like the holocaust, I'm sure you'll agree.

The NS film is a work of fiction at the end of the day, but so obviously a labour of love, when you look at the amount of effort and the meticulous attention to minute detail.

It's that insight and empathy of the very subject that carries the film off, so its actually not much different to Spielberg when dealing with the holocaust.

There is a seven hour documentary called Shoah (Yiddish for Holocaust), it's one the most moving films I've ever seen, it's just face to face monologue with survivors being interviewed by the camera, about their own experiences at the camps, it's was so informative too, and I can see that much of this was used in Schindler's List, real meticulous attention to detail, and the importance of that detail is not lost.

Obviously two very different subject, one about one of the worse events ever, and one about a youth culture, but you can see the obsession put in from both directors, I applaud Elaine Constantine for that.

[Steve G]

She/it was portrayed as being about The Scene at THAT time....now she is THE GO TO GIRL...along with Stansfield et al....but they weren't there!

 

 

Why the constant digs? It's a film, and Elaine is promoting her film, which since she and her husband have spent everything on making, she is perfectly entitled to do. Good on her too. Perhaps if you were there at the time you should have made the film instead then….  Oh, but you haven't. 

Edited October 26, 2014 by Steve G

[Rick Smith]

Just notice that it's available on Virgin Media on demand.

[Bigwheel]

isn't it absolutely brilliant that someone was bold enough to make have a film about our passion and the best underground music scene that's ever existed...and we get to debate about it on here...bloody magic!!

[Ernie Andrews]

One just now said that it was too depressing, that people went to venues to enjoy themselves but nobody at the all nighters were doing so.  Girls fashions were wrong.  Stuff like that.  Chap I spoke to yesterday said he thought Soulboy was better.

Soulboy was nothing compared to this!

I said what my criticisms were before and no-one has slagged me.

The soundtrack for the film IMO was poor repeating tunes up to 3 times.

[Scal]

Why the constant digs? It's a film, and Elaine is promoting her film, which since she and her husband have spent everything on making, she is perfectly entitled to do. Good on her too. Perhaps if you were there at the time you should have made the film instead then…. Oh, but you haven't.

[Scal]

Sorry about having a view or opinion... I just don't know why Web sites and threads exist.

By the way, what is your rank in The Soul Police?

[Guest Byrney]

The problem is you're not voicing an opinion, you're just having a dig, which doesn't add to the debate. Why don't you give us a review of the film Scal and lets get back on track. 

Sorry about having a view or opinion... I just don't know why Web sites and threads exist.
By the way, what is your rank in The Soul Police?

[Scal]

The problem is you're not voicing an opinion, you're just having a dig, which doesn't add to the debate. Why don't you give us a review of the film Scal and lets get back on track.

[Scal]

Are you the PCSO of the set up, thought the "Authorities" may at least of sent out an officer who was a little more 'cock'sure with himself, maybe of a Tartan hue, but I guess that one is deskbound these days!?

[hullsoul]

Yeah , then they can bring back a load of unheard funky & mid tempo 70's stuff and ostracized by the 60's crew, doomed to get plays only at Mecca, Ritz & Cleethorpes until Stafford starts.

That sounds to implausible people would never believe it   

Cheers

Martyn

[Guest Soulskate70]

I'm to young to have attended any of the well known clubs of the 70's but really enjoyed the film. It was dark in places but for any movie to appeal to the general public it needs some dramatic elements, and the drug-side of the plot made this possible.  I can't comment as I wasn't there, but I lived through the entire rave scene of the late eighties and some of the scenes and situations were very familiar.... Just different drugs involved....

Did anyone notice the comments about dance competitions, and DJs just playing for themselves...made me chuckle...

[Pete S]

Sorry about having a view or opinion... I just don't know why Web sites and threads exist.

By the way, what is your rank in The Soul Police?

 

Exactly the reason that other people said they wouldn't post their opinions as they would meet with a hostile reception.

I still want to know why the records were pitched up so much.

[Guest Byrney]

A daft dig, no debate or opinion. Until you can put some words together that make sense I'll leave it with you. Try a review - that'll fit with the thread. 

Are you the PCSO of the set up, thought the "Authorities" may at least of sent out an officer who was a little more 'cock'sure with himself, maybe of a Tartan hue, but I guess that one is deskbound these days!?

[Scal]

I will post my open and honest review of the film on Monday, when I have access to a PC.....we are getting broadband connection tomorrow here in Burnsworth....it is such a "Sh+thole"!

[Emjaygee]

I went to see the film at the ICA in London last tuesday. Thought it might be quite good to watch such an underground thing right on the Mall, just along from her maj's residence. Fully expecting to be alone at the late showing.

 

The two screens were at the back of the bookshop and there was quite a crowd gathered, all hanging round the books on art, looking at them knowingly, I couldn't make head nor tail of what was round me!! I did think, while at the back of the crowd, that when the other crowd were trying to get out, that if I started pushing at the back I could get the entrance to the screen to resemble the door scene from the Casino documentary. Low and behold that scene appeared before me on the not quite so big screen. I had a little chuckle to myself.

 

The crowd of which I speak were 90% a lot younger than I, which was an interesting dynamic I hadn't expected. So in we go.

 

Now at this point I need to state that I didn't go to the Casino, I started at Yate in 1980 a fresh faced 14 year old so never got to Wigan. However, during the 80's the scene was still full of the types of Character portrayed, I have met and knew well at least a few of every type of person portrayed. And one of my mentors in the early days of my journey gave me the same advice to me about never turning to the needle, as it was a dark one way street. So I think it was spot on in terms of the characterisation of the people. I think the sweary DJ's may be harking back to the 80's rather than the 70s. 

 

As for the darkness (lighting) of the film, I worked in dark factories and between Friday evening and Monday morning I never saw the light of day, the weekends were one long dark night of music, travel and mates.

 

I really enjoyed the film, as I said before, never went to Wigan, but please don't hold that against me.

 

I'll leave my final words to a young girl (no more than 20) who on the way out was trying to explain to her friend - "it really was like that up north in the 70s, it was only the music that kept them going" She must be studying history or something!!!

[oficrete]

Drove up to Ambleside in the Lake District to watch it last night , Thought it gave a very good insight into what life was like  life back then .Think it will shock one or two mums and dads who thought their offspring were little angles when they went to alnighters . Very expensive night in the end though as I got caught by a static  speed camera as I was to busy talking to my mate about the film instead of watching the road . 

[Guest brummiemick]

My beef was that although the drugs, darkness and violence were all part of the scene of course, it took up far much of a film called 'Northern Soul'

I remember the feelgood factor above everything else. And that didn't come across much at all for me.

 

Still worth watching of course, I suppose it's all about individual perspectives.

 

I really enjoyed the film, but Dave's comment above about the "feel good factor" very much sums up the missing ingredient for me. I was never into the drugs, it happened, but it wasn't the defining factor - the "music" was and everything else was an aside. 

[macca]

Although to be fair Macca, being a Jew does give Speilberg more insight and empathy when dealing with a subject like the holocaust, I'm sure you'll agree.

The NS film is a work of fiction at the end of the day, but so obviously a labour of love, when you look at the amount of effort and the meticulous attention to minute detail.

It's that insight and empathy of the very subject that carries the film off, so its actually not much different to Spielberg when dealing with the holocaust.

There is a seven hour documentary called Shoah (Yiddish for Holocaust), it's one the most moving films I've ever seen, it's just face to face monologue with survivors being interviewed by the camera, about their own experiences at the camps, it's was so informative too, and I can see that much of this was used in Schindler's List, real meticulous attention to detail, and the importance of that detail is not lost.

Obviously two very different subject, one about one of the worse events ever, and one about a youth culture, but you can see the obsession put in from both directors, I applaud Elaine Constantine for that.

Yes, agree 100%. I have Shoah on DVD, off a Torrent site. Harrowing is not the word. 

[Drewtg]

 

In mitigation, the reasons that I didn't go are that I didn't want to be involved in a scene that was rife with drugs and violence.

 

I am that softie.

 

You should have gone mate, it was easy to avoid the drugs, but not easy avoiding having your ears bent by the fine gentlemen that did indulge

 

As for the violence, that had nothing to do with the northern scene. The north, and I presume every other heavilly working class area, was a very violent place and violence was never very far under the surface. I often think that if there had been alcohol at Wigan it may well not have been the relative oasis of friendlyness that it was. Just a thought.

[Quinvy]

You should have gone mate, it was easy to avoid the drugs, but not easy avoiding having your ears bent by the fine gentlemen that did indulge

 

As for the violence, that had nothing to do with the northern scene. The north, and I presume every other heavilly working class area, was a very violent place and violence was never very far under the surface. I often think that if there had been alcohol at Wigan it may well not have been the relative oasis of friendlyness that it was. Just a thought.

If I could have gone in a car, like in the film I would have definitely given it a go. The problem that I had back in the seventies was no transport. My parents never owned a car, and I couldn't afford one. All my money went on records, and I lived out in the sticks, transport links were non existent.

Traveling in the seventies as a teenager was a very haphazard and dangerous thing to do. The only way I got to Blackpool Mecca was there was a special bus from Colne. It was a challenge just to get to Colne. Either hitch hike, or walk. Same with going to the Pendelum at Manchester. It was a long walk to get to Kellbrook to catch the bus.

It never ceases to amaze me how so many youngsters managed to get to and from events back then.

The seventies was the era of the boot boy and the football hooligan. Just being in another town meant you were fair game for the local hooligans to give you a kicking. I wasn't a big fan of using public transport back then.

I was always skint back then. Poorly paid jobs and all my money went to John Anderson and Brian Phillips. 

[Anais nin Carms]

Never went to Wigan so my mind was open on this one.Having heard and read many stories about the fun aspect of anticipating the "happening" by those that went,for example making excuses to their parents, swapping clothes to look cool, planning coach trips,meeting friends from all over the country, hitching rides,jumping trains, lack of appetites to mums Sunday dinner, the film could have been much lighter. It felt to me a little on the blue side. A bit more humour would have made a good film turn into a great film. I know some did have the darker experiences of drug use at its most extream leval of needle use but I formed the impression that they were a minority.I just had a general feeling that the mass had a much lighter experience.Also came away thinking would I want my family and non soul friends seeing this portrayal and feeling a little concerned at the opinions they might form when making comparisons to how people generally soul today? Maybe expectations were too high ? I certainly feel it will not bring the anticipated rush of new blood through the doors.I Don't want to offend anyone it's my honest opinion as an outsider looking in. I think the fact it brought many from far and wide should have been ememphasised much more. I would Love to hear a complete novice to the scene as we know it have their say on it. Again I will say a very well made film and a great attention to detail has been made however more humour would have added a greater experience to the viewer in my view.

Edited October 27, 2014 by Anais nin Carms