Quadrophenia

1979 / UK / 120 min. / Colour 

Director: Franc Roddam

Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Philip Davis, Mark Wingett, Sting, Ray Winstone, Toyah Willcox, Michael Elphick,Timothy Spal, Hugh Lloyd 

Quadrophenia has held its own as a gritty, slice-of-life anti-musical. It’s 1964, the antagonism between the Mods and Rockers is at its peak and Jimmy Cooper (Daniels in fine anti-heroic form ), a young London Mod, is disillusioned. Taking speed, partying hard, riding his beloved scooter and fighting Rockers fills in his time but achieves little else. But then there is the annual Brighton showdown to look forward to…The film works on many levels: as a compelling story of angst and ennui among youth; as a social commentary of a critical point in modern inter-generational strife and as a cracking musical. And inbetween the songs, you can always play ‘Before they were Famous’. The film is full of stars-to-be.