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Pink Floyd - The Wall
1982
Loosely based on the life story of Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd's original front man (who was kicked out of the band for his bizarre and disturbing behavior only to go insane shortly thereafter), PINK FLOYD: THE WALL stars Bob Geldof as Pink, a mentally damaged man who has gone from a hopeful child artist to a burned-out rock star .. Read more
| Starring | Pink Floyd, Bob Geldof, Bob Hoskins |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Parker |
| Genres | Music/Musical |
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Pink Floyd - The Wall
Loosely based on the life story of Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd's original front man (who was kicked out of the band for his bizarre and disturbing behavior only to go insane shortly thereafter), PINK FLOYD: THE WALL stars Bob Geldof as Pink, a mentally damaged man who has gone from a hopeful child artist to a burned-out rock star drifting away from reality. As Pink festers in his hotel room, elements of his abusive childhood come back to haunt him until he begins to descend into absolute madness.
Director Alan Parker's intense and fully realized film interpretation of the English band's classic album, THE WALL melds whimsical fantasy with dark Shakespearean drama. The film makes innovative use of sets, costumes, and special effects to create a unique surrealistic strangeness worthy of Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dali's UN CHIEN ANDALOU. Both disturbing and bedazzling, PINK FLOYD: THE WALL is a must-see film for any music lover.
| Starring | Pink Floyd, Bob Geldof, Bob Hoskins |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Parker |
| Studio | SONY BMG |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 20 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Music/Musical |
| Language | English |
| Subtitles | English, French, Italian, Japanese, Spanish |
| Released | DVD: 07 Feb 2000 Production year: 1982 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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While undoubtedly lacking in symbolic subtlety — schoolchildren fed into a mincer, the adoration of Bob Geldof's central rock star likened to a Nazi rally, the wall itself (isolation, oppression, yes we get it) — Alan Parker's realisation of Roger Waters' s mega-selling, autobiographical 1979 concept album is not without visual flourish, not least when the pen and ink of Gerald Scarfe is animated into disturbing life. Those who dig the Floyd songs (Another Brick in the Wall, Comfortably Numb, Is There Anybody Out There?) will put up with the pat imagery and Geldof's sleepwalking turn. Unbelievers should walk on by.
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"...Parker has brought plenty of energy to this project, and he has done his resourceful best to make it an overpowering experience....A shameless all-out assault on the senses..."
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Most helpful member's review
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19 out of 20 people found this review helpful
So Ya, Thought Ya, Might Like To... Go To The Show?
If you can stomach the depressing content then The Wall remains one of the most brilliant albums of the 70's (the album was released in '79 I think, so the movie was released some 3 years later). The story of a boy who grows to be a rock star but slides into self induced isolation due to 'The Wall' he perceives around himself.
Like most 'concept' albums that have a story throughout linked by various songs or music, you often end up with your own mental image of the scenes in the songs. Watching a movies where you see someone else's invariably different views can therefore sometimes be a little frustrating when their scale or perception differs so wildly from yours. However, leaving that aside, the film actually elaborates or fills in on the story so that you get a better understanding of 'Pink's' journey. There are tracks in the film that are not on the album. So in places, this is enlightening. But in others, a scene seems to be dragged out and you're left waiting for the next song to start.
Acting wise I think that Bob Geldof does the job well, and while his vocals will always sound odd singing songs that you are more used to hearing Roger Waters sing, they still sound pretty good as he tries to inject a slightly different slant on the words, rather than trying to imitate the original.
The mixture of live action and (often disturbing) animation works well and overall the story is well told. Perhaps a bit too long (it is a double album, add some extra tracks and the exposition bits between songs), but it sounds great, looks fantastic in parts and underwhelming in others.
There's some pretty decent extra's on the DVD, giving some good insight into the inspiration behind the story and work involved in putting the film together, casting choices (re Geldof) and loads of interviews with various cast and crew members.
The Scissor Sisters recent chart success with their cover of Comfortably Numb is a testament to how this music and story are still in society's conciousness, and the story seems as fresh and relevant today as it was in 1979/1982. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
A trip to the other side!!
It helps, of course, if you are a Pink Floyd fan, as the lyrics to the songs in the film are an intricate part of the story, but even so... this is simply a masterpeice!!
Travel with the main character Pink as his world slowly collapses around him and he withdraws to the santuary of his inner mind, before even this shred of shelter is finally ripped away.
Bob Geldof is inspirational in the leading role with the soundtrack in second place and even a suprise cameo from Bob Hoskins!
The extras are insightful and extremely well presented and well worth a look.
You will never see amnything quite like this again! Rent it now! -
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Pink Floyd - The Wall
Loosely based on the life story of Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd's original front man (who was kicked out of the band for his bizarre and disturbing behavior only to go insane shortly thereafter), PINK FLOYD: THE WALL stars Bob Geldof as Pink, a mentally damaged man who has gone from a hopeful child ...
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