Released: 2008
Studio: Universal Pictures UK
Format: PAL
Region 2 (UK, Europe, Japan, South Africa and Middle East)
Run Time: 96 minutes
Language: English (No subtitles)
With 'Control' and, to a lesser extent, '24 Hour Party People' giving the Joy Division story fresh momentum, this documentary is a timely addition which will provide informative background to fans old and new. Very well contextualised, the viewer is given insight into the socio-economic and class structures of the times, the impact of punk on Manchester, and what the denizens of that city did to sing along to the new music.
Key players of the era get face time as they add colour to the narrative, and of course you get the surviving band members; as ever earthy, honest and still reflective about the fate of their bandmate. There's rare documentary and performance footage, as well.