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Product Description
The Wigan Casino was not a gambling den near Manchester, anymore than The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell is about a funfair by the seaside, although curiously the two are inextricably related. The Wigan Casino was a dance hall and home to Northern Soul' at the height of its fashion in the mid- to late 70s in the centre of a once prosperous manufacturing town, once bursting with cotton mills, now brought low by economic hard times. It remains the most famous club in Northern England. From Friday night, non-stop until early Sunday morning, it was packed with kids from all over Britain who had come together to enjoy their music in their environment without interference (or so they hoped) from either parents or the police. The police were convinced it was a druggies paradise, and although they never found a shred of evidence, used this blind suspicion (and the excuse of a minor fire) to eventually close it down in 1981. What they could never close, however, was the sound and even more importantly an incredible style of dancing invented there which became known worldwide as breakdancing'. Again a grim background of industrial slums, unemployment and social deprivation, this dancing expressed inner joy and fulfilment, and this film, made in 1977 for the now defunct Granada Television, is a celebration of that joy. TONY PALMER
About the Director
TONY PALMER's vast filmography of over one hundred films ranges from early works with The Beatles, Cream, Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa (200 Motels), to the famous portraits with and about Walton, Britten, Stravinsky, Maria Callas, John Osborne, Margot Fonteyn and Menuhin. His 7 hour 45 minutes film on Wagner, starring Richard Burton, Laurence Olivier and Vanessa Redgrave, was described by the Los Angeles Times as "one of the most beautiful films ever made". Among over 40 international prizes for his work are 12 Gold Medals at the New York Film & Television Festival, as well as numerous BAFTA (British Academy of Film & Television) and EMMY nominations and awards. He is the only person to have won the Prix Italia twice. In addition, Mr Palmer has won various platinum and gold albums for the best-selling CDs of the soundtracks of his films. He was a music critic for The Observer for seven years, and has written for numerous international magazines and newspapers, including The Times, The New York Times, Punch, The Spectator, & Life.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Warren
Amazon Verified Purchase
The story starts and you think wow its going to show us the history, the dancing, the music and the world that Wigan Casino was... how wrong can you be? Don't buy this unless you want to learn about Wigan and listen to the old folk telling you about the old days, working in the bottle factory that is... the only positive thing about it was the entire film was over and done in about half hour... phew what a relief! If you want to see a good story about Wigan Casino buy SoulBoy - the tunes, the dancing and even the story gets you... you will learn and see far more.
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By T. Cowdrill
Amazon Verified Purchase
This DVD was a big disappointment. I was expecting to see lots of Northern Soul dancing, the few clips that showed any dancing were repeated through out the DVD. There were more clips of Wigan's industry with a folk music backtrack than Northern Soul. The News of the World describe it as "Genius". It is far from Genius.
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Adam
Imagine getting the chance to film the legendary wigan casino at its height. You could capture the most amazing dancing set to thrilling soul music. See the kids having it large in a uniquely british style. A fascinating sub-culture that was of itself, not a product of hype or marketing.
Alternatively, you could make a right-on social documentary about the grim north with only fleeting, tantalising glimpses of the main event. Don't waste your hard earned on this DVD.
Alternatively, you could make a right-on social documentary about the grim north with only fleeting, tantalising glimpses of the main event. Don't waste your hard earned on this DVD.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wigan
The film was ok, but it is not very long. I can understand that original footage was perhaps hard to find, But even photos and original music would have made it more interesting.
Published 7 days ago by B E Baines
1.0 out of 5 stars
more mining than casino
Anybody who knows about Wigan casino will expect this dvd to be a celebration of northern soul music and dance. Read more
Published 3 months ago by eddking
1.0 out of 5 stars
Fooled
So not happy with this Dvd, i am into Northern soul & have been to wigan casino many years ago. I really am dissapointed in what i bought. Read more
Published 3 months ago by MOD1
1.0 out of 5 stars
NOT APPEALING
I HAVE READ THE REVIEWS BY OTHERS AND A HIGH MAJORITY OF THOSE PEOPLE DID NOT RATE THIS DVD. SO FOR THAT I AM OUT!!!
Published 20 months ago by Graham Howard
1.0 out of 5 stars
Tony Palmer /Wigan Casino
Just bought this DVD , and my fault for not looking at the length .. but 26 minutes ?, they re having a laugh ! Read more
Published 20 months ago by AVRIL
3.0 out of 5 stars
wigan casino
I enjoyed this film which taught me about Wigan and its way of life in the 60's and 70's however, I would have liked to see more about northern soul and the casino plus more... Read more
Published 22 months ago by souliekaz
1.0 out of 5 stars
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY - VERY DISAPPOINTING
My Husband and I went to the Casino Cafe in Wigan - so he could reminisce he's old 'stomping' ground and we saw this DVD in the memoribilla cabinet - so we amazon'd it and bought... Read more
Published on 17 Aug 2010 by HELYAND
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wigan Pen Club
I wasn't there at the time, too busy chasing the Who at the Goldhawk Club and The Stones at Crawdaddy et al. Read more
Published on 8 April 2010 by K. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Documentary of Wigan Casino
Brought back memories for a Northern Soul boy who has no photos of his own, only an atmospheric tape of the sound.
Published on 28 Mar 2010 by Ms. R. J. Walter
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