ROCK FLIX: The Clash, “I Fought the Law”


TRIVIA ANSWER: Most people love The Clash’ cover of “I Fought the Law” but might have missed the Clash-centric movie it came from!

THE WIKI:

Rude Boy is a 1980 British film directed by Jack Hazan and David Mingay and filmed in 1978 and early 1979.

The film, part fiction, part rockumentary, tells the story of Ray Gange, a Clash fan who leaves his job in a Soho sex shop to become a roadie for the band.  The film includes footage of The Clash at a Rock Against Racism concert at Victoria Park,  on their “On Parole” and “Sort It Out” tours, and in the studio recording the album Give ‘Em Enough Rope. The film was named after the rude boy subculture.  The band became so disenchanted with the film, that by its release, they had Better Badges make badges stating ‘I don’t want Rude Boy Clash Film’.

In 1980, the film won the Honorable Mention, and was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 30th Berlin International Film Festival.  It was re-released on DVD the UK in 2003 by Fremantle Media with a host of special features including interviews with ‘Rude Boy’ Ray Gange, The Clash’s road manager Johnny Green and film makers Jack Hazan and David Mingay.

 

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