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Performance Details

1970 Certificate 18
  • 70
  • from 2971 members

Even in an era of cinematic experimentation, Performance stands out as a visually daring major-studio film that deals with questions of sanity and identity rarely touched on in mainstream filmmaking. The elements of Performance certainly looked attractive to studio executives at Warner Bros. -- a gangster on the lam hides out .. Read more

Starring Michelle Breton, James Fox, Anita Pallenberg, Mick Jagger
Director Donald Cammell, Nicolas Roeg
Genres Drama

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Performance

Even in an era of cinematic experimentation, Performance stands out as a visually daring major-studio film that deals with questions of sanity and identity rarely touched on in mainstream filmmaking. The elements of Performance certainly looked attractive to studio executives at Warner Bros. -- a gangster on the lam hides out in the home of a reclusive rock star -- especially since that musician was being played by Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. But co-directors Nicolas Roeg (who also photographed) and Donald Cammell (who wrote the screenplay) had much more in mind than a walk on the wild side of swinging London. Chas (James Fox) is a sadistic thug who gains our sympathies only because men even crueler than he are out to kill him. After Chas arrives at the mansion occupied by Turner (Jagger) and his female companions Pherber (Anita Pallenberg) and Lucy (Michele Breton), what looks like a decadent idyll fueled by drugs and group sex turns into a series of mind games in which Turner challenges Chas' sexual preference and core identity. Even the film's one musical number, Memo From Turner, is a William Burroughs-like monologue in which Turner fantasizes taking over Chas' role as a mobster, spewing insults to his colleagues. The film's cult status has been fueled by subsequent films of its co-directors (for Roeg, Walkabout, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and Don't Look Now; for Cammell, White of the Eye), which explored similar themes employing the same kind of jagged editing and striking visuals.~ Tom Wiener, All Movie Guide

Starring Michelle Breton, James Fox, Anita Pallenberg, Mick Jagger
Director Donald Cammell, Nicolas Roeg
Studio WARNER HOME VIDEO
Run time DVD: 1 hr 41 mins
Certificate Certificate 18
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released Production year: 1970

To Rent:
DVD: 05 Mar 2006

  • Critic's review of Performance

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    • Roeg's debut as a director is a virtuoso juggling act which manipulates its visual and verbal imagery so cunningly... read more on Time Out

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  • Most helpful member's review of Performance

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    • Rated - 5.0 stars  

      • 33
      • 2

      Performance?

      A 1960s netherworld of gangsters, sado-masochism and a reclusive rockstar may seem initially exciting through its description alone. However, this movie is an ... read more »

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  • Most recent members' reviews of Performance

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    • Rated - 0.5 stars  

      • 0
      • 1

      Avoid it!

      With a plot thinner than a tarts nickers and appalling acting, particularly by Jagger, you should at all attempts avoid watching this film

      Report this review

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  • View all members' reviews (26)

  • News and features

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    The King's Speech

    The King's Speech dominates National Movie Awards

    • WENN Newsdesk
    • 11 May 2011

    Oscar-winning film The King's Speech reigned supreme at the National Movie Awards on Wednesday night (11May11), scooping three top awards. The royal drama, about stuttering monarch George VI, won the Best Drama prize and Performance Of The Year for its star Colin Firth. It also landed the Special Recognition prize, for an outstanding movie performance. Accepting the prestigious award from Gwyneth Paltrow, director Tom Hooper told the crowd at London's Wembley Arena, "Of all the people who have Read more

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2,971 Member ratings
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584
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512
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    • Performance

    • Performance
      Even in an era of cinematic experimentation, Performance stands out as a visually daring major-studio film that deals with questions of sanity and identity rarely touched on in mainstream filmmaking. The elements of Performance certainly looked attractive to studio executives at Warner Bros. -- a ...

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