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DVD Description
Documenting the life of lead singer and guitarist for British punk rock group 'The Clash', Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten features many appearances by big name celebrities like Bono, Iggy Pop, Matt Dillon, Johnny Depp, Mick Jones, John Cusack and Topper Headon, to name a few. Special features on the 123-minute DVD include a theatrical trailer, 5.1 Dolby Soundtrack, Director Commentary, and Conversations with Joe--100 minutes of exclusive footage with Joe Strummer’s friends and family. As the frontman for "The Clash" from 1977 onwards, Joe changed people's lives forever. A musical icon and political activist, he was never shy about saying what was on his mind; a voice of a generation, which still resonates today.
Synopsis
Directed and produced by Joe Strummer's long-time friend Julian Temple (director of 'The Filth and the Fury'), Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten explores the life of the iconic Clash frontman, from his birth in 1952 and rise to fame as one of music's most original voices, to his fatal heart attack in 2002.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A superb film. By mixing archive material in an imaginative rather than literal way with contemporary conversations around the campfire, this film the captures the spirit of Strummer and the punk ethos. At the same time Strummer's voice, which narrates and comments on the film almost as if he is still with us, offers a critical perspective on the Clash as a band that turned into the type of rock superstars they set out to attack. Bittersweet, angry, elegiac and, for anyone who lived through that era, extraordinarily moving. Great concert footage too.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Julien Temple's biography of Joe Strummer, "The Future Is Unwritten", brilliantly captures the labyrinth that was Joe Strummer while reminding us that every stage of Joe's evolution - born John Graham Mellor, to the communal 'Woody' Mellor, to Joe Strummer - was part of Joe's constant struggle to define himself while concomitantly asserting his basic humanity.
"The Future Is Unwritten" provides us with a glimpse into all that comprised Joe Strummer: Joe's rootless childhood with a distant father and troubled brother, Joe's embrace of the communal lifestyle that would follow him throughout his life, Joe's ascent into rock stardom beginning with the 101'ers and then The Clash, Joe's ultimate disillusionment with rock stardom, his wilderness years, followed by Joe's embrace of his entire legacy and the peace at which he arrived in his final years.
The film does not engage in hagiography, however. We see all that comprised Joe Strummer the man including his flaws. Joe admits as much in the multitude of observations from the man himself that are interspersed throughout the film.
In the end, Julien Temple's film captures the life of Joe Strummer with a mood and feeling evocative of one of Joe's beloved campfires, so much so that by the end you feel that you actually are there in some way. I walked away from this film with the reaffirmation of Joe's very accessible genius: through his music Joe wanted to touch humanity in some way while attempting to transcend humanity at the same time.
Joe remains very much missed. Julien Temple's film reminds us why.
Five stars.
"The Future Is Unwritten" provides us with a glimpse into all that comprised Joe Strummer: Joe's rootless childhood with a distant father and troubled brother, Joe's embrace of the communal lifestyle that would follow him throughout his life, Joe's ascent into rock stardom beginning with the 101'ers and then The Clash, Joe's ultimate disillusionment with rock stardom, his wilderness years, followed by Joe's embrace of his entire legacy and the peace at which he arrived in his final years.
The film does not engage in hagiography, however. We see all that comprised Joe Strummer the man including his flaws. Joe admits as much in the multitude of observations from the man himself that are interspersed throughout the film.
In the end, Julien Temple's film captures the life of Joe Strummer with a mood and feeling evocative of one of Joe's beloved campfires, so much so that by the end you feel that you actually are there in some way. I walked away from this film with the reaffirmation of Joe's very accessible genius: through his music Joe wanted to touch humanity in some way while attempting to transcend humanity at the same time.
Joe remains very much missed. Julien Temple's film reminds us why.
Five stars.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Of the many bands that emerged during the early punk period The Pistols and the Clash can probably lay claim to be the pathfinders. Joe Strummer comes over as an articulate, likeable but vain man who could be a fickle friend - this documentary is no hagiography. Its often interesting to chart the rise to fame of English rockstars and the concomitant improvement in their dentistry and Joe is no exception - his teeth were minging at the beginning! (See also David Bowie).
Joe's friends speak honestly and affectionately about him and of course the music is brilliant. I had forgotten how big The Clash got in America which was of course ultimately their downfall as a band. The recording of the Shea Stadium gig which I have on CD (Live at Shea Stadium: 13 Oct 1982/Remastered) is awesome so it was sad to listen to the band talking about "going through the motions" by that stage. The fusion of rock, punk, reggae and anything else that took their fancy was awesome. Joe's post-Clash career with the Pogues and the Mescaleros is charted and his early and unexpected death is discussed by his friends with some emotion.
Julien Temple has yet again come up with an outstanding music documentary (see also The Filth And The Fury [DVD] [2000])of a politically committed rock musician who made a tremendous mark on the times he lived through and left behind a great body of music.
Joe's friends speak honestly and affectionately about him and of course the music is brilliant. I had forgotten how big The Clash got in America which was of course ultimately their downfall as a band. The recording of the Shea Stadium gig which I have on CD (Live at Shea Stadium: 13 Oct 1982/Remastered) is awesome so it was sad to listen to the band talking about "going through the motions" by that stage. The fusion of rock, punk, reggae and anything else that took their fancy was awesome. Joe's post-Clash career with the Pogues and the Mescaleros is charted and his early and unexpected death is discussed by his friends with some emotion.
Julien Temple has yet again come up with an outstanding music documentary (see also The Filth And The Fury [DVD] [2000])of a politically committed rock musician who made a tremendous mark on the times he lived through and left behind a great body of music.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great film
I've lost count of how many times I've watched this. A must for Clash fans. For me two highlights stand out, both very poignant - Mick's campfire interview (surely and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by garyh1967
different and surprising
This dvd isnt jus the usual run of the mill doc, if you are already a clash fan you will know about alot of what the dvd is going on about but it will also reveal a few other... Read more
Published 5 months ago by not the usual
Clash of the Titans?
I'm a huge music fan but The Clash have never been my bag. I agree with the other reviewer who stated that this is really one for fans only as I found my attention wandering after... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Dyspeptic Spirit
The Future is unwritten - Joe Strummer
If you thought you knew Joe Strumme or if you have never heard of The Clash this film is a must for anyone who is thinking of picking up aguitar + changing the world. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mrs. F. J. Bradbury
Changed my point of view....
The Clash are my favourite band, have been since the tended age of 15, this video really tells Strummers story in a brilliant way, it changed my opinion of the man. Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2009 by A. Kerr
The Future is unwritten - by Riccardo Pro
This is an exciting overview of Joe Strummer's childhood, youth and artistic career. Key friends and colleagues have gathered to return sincere and moving witnesses about their... Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2009 by Riccardo Pro
For fans only
Really for fans only, and undiscriminating fans at that. Some fascinating archive footage which really takes you back to the grey, grim days of England in the 70s, some good... Read more
Published on 4 Sep 2008 by Robert Machin
watch this !
`saw this for the 1st time 8months ago in a tiny cinema with only 3 people in it !! didn`t realise at the time what a treasure i`d stumbled across . Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2008 by P. A. Lipscombe
A great standard
This is a well made documentary and it is interesting socially and historically. It is still a little long for my taste, but as it managed to keep me watching for way over two... Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2007 by Lula Geddes
Revolution Rock
This film is worthwhile viewing for any fans of the legendary rock band The Clash who were fronted by the charismatic Joe Strummer. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2007 by L. Davidson
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