With Punk now the stuff of postcards, its good to have Punk in London, a 1977 feature that taps the source of what the scene was all about. German director Wolfgang Büra interviews a number of players and promoters but, apart from concert sequences by The Adverts and The Clash--in gritty form on their ill-fated first European tour--the emphasis is on "almost were" bands. Büras reticent and awkward questioning wont win awards for journalism, but interviewees are prepared to open up to him. Theres political hard-talking from members of Chelsea, a chat with the unassuming... bassist of The Lurkers (and parents!), priceless interview footage with Kevin Rowland, then in Birmingham band The Kiljoys; best of all, the laconic roadie of Subway Sect, a true leveller well aware that the whole "Punk thing" will fall victim to commercial pressure like counter-cultures before it. On the DVD: The 1977 film reproduces decently, its faded realism appropriate to the subject, and the sound captures the sweaty environs of Londons club scene with raw immediacy. A pity, though, that sound and vision in the interviews werent better synchronised. There are 21 access points; The Clash sequence is repeated with German subtitles (though markedly inferior picture quality), and an extended adverts sequence with German-only offstage banter. Overall, a quirky package, and a quirky documentary--but with a sincerity and authenticity that no "Best of" could ever hope to capture.--Richard Whitehouse [show more]
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