The Jam: About The Young Idea main backdrop
The Jam: About The Young Idea main poster

The Jam: About The Young Idea

Visit website

8.1/10 • 12

2015-08-291h 30m

MusicDocumentary

Sky Arts presents the definitive story of The Jam, one of the most successful British bands in rock history, who were at the forefront of the late 1970s punk-mod scene. Featuring exclusive interviews with Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler, and richly illustrated with archive performances, this documentary, directed by Bob Smeaton, traces the band's formation and success between 1975 and 1982, and is set against the backdrop of the ever changing politics, fashion and attitudes that shaped the period of late 70s and early 80s.

Directors
Bob Smeaton
Editors
Julian Caidan

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Paul Weller

    Paul Weller

    Himself

  2. Bruce Foxton

    Bruce Foxton

  3. Rick Buckler

    Rick Buckler

  4. Martin Freeman

    Martin Freeman

Reviews1

View Reviews
John Chard Avatar

John Chard

Jan 2, 2016

9/10

Not really a Beat Surrender. The Jam - a Punk Mod Motown Power Pop trio from Woking, Surrey, England. Between the years 1977 and 1982 they would garner fanatical support and cement a reputation (justifiable) as a live band of astonishing power and skill. They would have four number one singles in the UK, three of which went straight in at number one, which was then a record for any artist. Upon their dissolution in 1982, all their singles were re-released, culminating in another record, that of having the most simultaneous top 75 singles (13) in the UK charts. It's fair to say that The Jam, considered by many to be the last great British singles band, deserve an extensive documentary... To many of us, The Jam were our Beatles, the band that meant the most to us teenagers of the time, this is something that comes across well in Bob Smeaton's film. In the excitement of just having a well publicised film on The Jam, there's so much to rejoice, but with a major caveat that fans, those who lived it or have read and listened to everything to do with the band, there's so much left out. The story is well told, all principal players are involved via interviews, while fans get archive footage and photographs that gladden the heart. Nice to have fan participation as well, including Martin Freeman. Whilst the bond between band and fans (the sound checks involving fans a thing many big groups of today could pay attention to), bristles like a solid bond in your heart. However... There are crucial areas of The Jam's history missed out, like the makers were only concerned with celebrating the name above everything else - ironically they failed to add the records I mention in the first paragraph. There is no mention of the problems the band had with wearing union flag suits, or having that flag draped over the speakers in the early days. There were at least two errors at pressing plants and arguments about what song should be the official single - things that affected two of their most famous singles (double A-Sides for Jam's sake), while their live gigs were often beset by violence, surely we want to hear what Weller, Foxton and Buckler have to say about that now?! About the Young Idea is incomplete, without doubt, but at least it exists and gives fans a chance to beam with glee, whilst simultaneously offering a glimpse to new interested parties of what a great band they were, and, crucially, what they meant to so many in those five years. 9/10

Media

  • The Jam: About The Young Idea poster
  • The Jam: About The Young Idea poster

Recommendations

  • Across the Universe main backdrop

    Across the Universe

    7.1

  • Paul Weller: Two Classic Performances main backdrop

    Paul Weller: Two Classic Performances

    6.0

  • No Backdrop

    The Old Curiosity Shop

    5.0

  • Sinners main backdrop

    Sinners

    7.5

  • Cocorico main backdrop

    Cocorico

    5.5

  • Superman main backdrop

    Superman

    7.5

  • Monstrous main backdrop

    Monstrous

    5.8

  • Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One main backdrop

    Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

    7.5

  • The Flash main backdrop

    The Flash

    6.6

  • Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves main backdrop

    Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

    7.3

  • Jurassic World Rebirth main backdrop

    Jurassic World Rebirth

    6.4

  • The Super Mario Bros. Movie main backdrop

    The Super Mario Bros. Movie

    7.6

  • Avengers: Infinity War main backdrop

    Avengers: Infinity War

    8.2

  • Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver main backdrop

    Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver

    6.1

  • The Suicide Squad main backdrop

    The Suicide Squad

    7.5

  • The Pale Blue Eye main backdrop

    The Pale Blue Eye

    6.8

  • Three Colors: White main backdrop

    Three Colors: White

    7.5

  • Saltburn main backdrop

    Saltburn

    7.0

  • Tin Soldier main backdrop

    Tin Soldier

    4.7

  • Those Who Wish Me Dead main backdrop

    Those Who Wish Me Dead

    6.6

Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
No keywords have been added.