Available at Amazon.com
Director :
Paul Rachman
Cast :
Frank Agnew………. Himself
Jonathan Anastas……….Himself
Phil Anselmo……….Himself
George Anthony……….Himself
Mark Arm……….Himself
Brian Bake ……….Himself
Al Barile……….Himself
Nancy Barile………. Herself
Matthew Barney……….Himself
Henry Rollins……Himself
The Movie :
Every 15 years or so punk rock seems to come in vogue for a new generation. Currently bands like Green Day and Good Charlotte (amongst others) have blended the genre with a pop sensibility to great success. For a brief time in the 1970s The Ramones and The Clash (amongst others) achieved success. In between these periods, from 1980-6, a wave of punk/hardcore music sprung up across the US. Disaffected by the election of Ronald Reagan, an underground movement came forth of youth who thought of the music and the lifestyle as their rebellion against the conservative values of the President. Crashing almost as quickly as it began, this movement would inspire the current generation of punk in the same manner that they were inspired by earlier artists. Based on the book of the same name, American Hardcore is a history of the movement by those who were in the middle of it.
Featuring interviews with principles of the era including Henry Rollins of Black Flag and members of Bad Brains, Circle Jerks, SS Decontrol, Cro-Mags and others from the era, the film follows the punk rock movement from it beginnings in California in 1980 through its spread across the country. Interviewing nearly anyone who was anyone, Paul Rachman compiles a relatively thorough oral history of the movement from those whom lived through it. Going across the country, Rachman explores the movement and the people behind it in some depth. Focusing on the principle bands of each region of the country, Rachman shows the beginnings of the hardcore/punk scene and how it ultimately burned itself out.
It’s a fascinating story, and Rachman tells it well, but what makes the documentary engaging is the candor of its subjects. Rachman is able to get everyone to discuss what happened without glorifying the events. It’s interesting to hear someone like former Black Flag lead singer Henry Rollins, for example, discuss the “glory days” of the era with a complete and total honesty that is rare in a documentary like this.
The only real downside to this film is that its subject is a bit inaccessible for those not inclined to the era. This a film made for fans by an obvious fan; Rachman sets up his subjects in the best lights possible, minimizing a lot of the potential negatives.
The Audio
Presented in a Dolby Digital 5.0 surround format, the film has a good but not great audio track. Mainly due to the archived footage and the film’s mediocre production values, the film goes in and out from taking full advantage of the format provided.
The Video
Presented in a widescreen format, the film doesn’t have a very good picture. Probably owing to its production values, it’s a grainy picture whose color isn’t very sharp.
The Extras
Deleted Scenes are included, and most are merely snippets of interviews already included in the documentary. There is a morbidly funny story in these involving a sheep and some hungry band members that’s worth listening to.
Bonus Performances from several of the bands featured in the documentary, including Bad Brains and Black Flag, are included from the 1980s raw footage.
Photo Gallery is included, featuring the photos of Edward Colver. Colver narrates and provides commentary about the photos, telling stories about the pictures and the background information on taking them. It’s an interesting perspective from a man who experienced the punk rock scene firsthand.
