Rude Boy (1980)

Put simply, this is awesome Clash footage of their late first album/early second album shows. I'd suggest getting a DVD version though, because having to fast forward through all the "plot" is really annoying after a while. I basically only watch it for the Clash footage, because Ray Gange's character is a real tool and practically unwatchable after once through.I must admit I love the scene when Joe is washing his Brigade Rosse shirt and he holds it up and widens his eyes when he's talking about it, like it's scary or something. It's also funny watching this gritty punk rocker scratch dirt off the shirt with his fingernail or Topper kicking the hell out of Ray in a yellow jumpsuit for no reason whatsoever.Joe comes off real well, Topper and Paul come off as party guys and Mick comes off as a real jerk. I don't know why, but this may be his jerk rock star coke phase, hence the goofy puffy shirt and vest ensembles. I heard he was a real nice guy though.

Despite all the negative commentary about this hodge-podge docudrama, it really is a fine testament to the spirit if not the letter of the punkers and the politics of the 70's. With the recent death of the talented and idealistic Joe Strummer, it is the film's insight into his talent and personality, his dynamic stage presence, and his role as a driving force behind the anti-institution known as the Clash that makes this film an important cultural and musical document. I also think it's very entertaining outside the musical numbers, if appropriately depressing.

The Clash's Rude Boy is a misguided, exciting and overall decent attempt at capturing the band the Clash at the height of their crossover from punk pioneers (if there could legitimately be called such a thing) to full-blown rock stars in the UK. The story itself surrounding them is perhaps less great than the band itself, which might be expected considering all that can be done in integrating one character into a band through a fictional script. The movie examines an angry youth (Gange) who works in a sex shop, until he meets up with The Clash and becomes their roadie. The story of Gange (and his view of the situation in Britain at the time it was made, with the occasional communist remark or two depending on the perspective of the viewer) is a little confusing and muddled at times. Yet when the Clash take the stage, which is fairly often, the film is thriving and alive as any concert film in the history of rock movies. Maybe it may appeal more to punk fans from the 70's than the punk fans- or what bunch of posers that try and act hip from their Hot Topic gear- but it's hard not to pass it up as even a casual fan either. Performances include: I'm so Bored with the USA, White Riot, Janie Jones, White man in Hammersmith, and Police and Thieves, among others.

Rude boy is a brilliant "documentary" which displays both the excellent music of The Clash and the political situation in Britain in the late 70'sRay Gange is excellent as Ray a roadie to-be for The Clash. He does a good job in this film as does Joe Strummer and the rest of The Clash family. The highlight is probably the footage of the "rock against racism" tourDo not overlook this film, I recommend it to any punk enthusiast.