Wordiezett So much average

Lightdeossk Captivating movie !

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Tymon Sutton The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

Spikeopath A documentary charting the life and untimely death of one of the leading figures in the Punk movement in Great Britain in the late 70s. From pub rock beginnings to filling out stadiums in North America, this film attempts to create an in-depth marker to just what made the Clash front man tick.First off let me say that I myself consider myself to be one of The Clash, and Strummer's biggest fans. Being around at the time of the Punk explosion, I still to this day, live my life as a Punk in spirit. For sure this is an invaluable film for fans and anybody who's interested in getting involved with Joe and his music, with some of the early footage (to me at least) being quite simply priceless. Yet it's lacking the necessary edge to make it one of music's great documentaries.Julien Temple (who set the benchmark for rock docs with his brilliant The Filth And The Fury in 2000) tells it well, edits it nicely and gets the tight and trusted friends and colleagues to line up with back slapping praise. You got the likes of Bono, Martin Scorsese, Johnny Depp, Flea, John Cussack and Michael Stipe, all men of substance who certainly don't need to be on this film to make themselves seem cool-so you can rest assured that these guys mean it when they are dishing out the plaudits to one of Punks great fathers. But, and here's the thing with me, the itch that I just can't scratch, why has important periods in The Clash/Strummer's life been given over to so many filled in back slaps? Anyone who knows their Clash history will know of the troubled making of their second album, Give Em Enough Rope, it's not even mentioned here! From The Clash's debut album we lurch forward to London Calling, it's a gap of some distinction I can tell you, and practically unforgivable. I was further annoyed that the new look Clash around the time of Cut The Crap was given about a two minute overview, this was a very critical time in Joe's life, but we basically just get told that, oh Joe was unhappy and the new guys were in awe of him.This is far from definitive, but as it is, it's probably the only documentary we will ever have on the late great Joe Strummer. So with that in mind I'm truly thankful. But as glad as I am that it exists, I'm equally annoyed that the story has holes that have not been filled because Mr Temple (perhaps wondering just how many people would want to see the picture) has over crammed in the plaudits. 7/10

burgernerd Strummer's hippie past was a revelation, but overall this felt like crashing a wake. Campfire stories work best around the intimacy of a campfire. There were just too many semi-boring old friends anecdotes and too much filler stock footage. I love The Clash and Joe for not reuniting and selling their songs until now (FU Mick Jones), but this doc left me wanting..to relate more. Using campfire storytellers without proper explanation of who is telling the anecdote alienates the viewer to some extent. They should have been interviewed on their own. Even using Strummer's 'radio DJ voice' did little to glue the film together. And can someone explain all the flags flying behind the campfire scenes? After the awesome "Filth And The Fury" I hoped Temple could deliver. A Joe Strummer doc deserves better.

moogan Having seen the Glastonbury film I was expecting Julian Temple to do a good job with this but I admit to having been blown away by the excellent use of footage material and wonderful campfire interviews.The early footage is excellent and informative as is the range of characters interviewed from the pre-Clash era and the contribution they made.Also it was excellent to see the famous names (too many to mention) getting their chance to to pay tribute to the great man.This film left me with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes but also extremely pleased that Joe has received the epitaph he deserves and I was left with the final inspiring message.Well done Julian Temple for another excellent film and for assembling this magnificent testament to a great man.

McGonigle Julian Temple -- who filmed the Clash at one of their earliest rehearsals -- has assembled a truly impressive array of footage, including 8mm family films from Joe's childhood and a performance from the 101ers, his pre-Clash R&B/pub-rock band. There are interviews with Joe's squat-mates from the early 70s, Mick Jones and Topper Headon of the Clash, and numerous other people (musicians and other) who either worked with Joe or were influenced by him. My only reservation is that the movie might be overwhelming to someone who was unfamiliar with Strummer's work, or the broad outlines of his history, but I think even a complete novice would have to come away impressed by the sheer scope of Joe's legacy, both in terms of music and the influence he left on his friends and admirers.