The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle Review

Great  Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, The
A rather incoherent post-breakup Sex Pistols "documentary", told from the point of view of Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren

by William Thomas |
Published on
Release Date:

01 Jan 1979

Running Time:

103 minutes

Certificate:

18

Original Title:

Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, The

After the Sex Pistols had self-destructed, Malcolm McLaren made this film to rewrite their history according to his own theories, treating the whole phenomenon merely as a scam, “cash from chaos” being the slogan as McLaren goes cynically through the various steps necessary to make a band a success.

The result is akin to a depraved management-instruction video featuring bits and pieces salvaged from the abandoned Who Killed Bambi? film project, archive footage of the band, stuff and nonsense acted out by Paul Cook and Steve Jones (the only two remaining Pistols), and specially-staged scenes such as Sid Vicious’ classic performance of My Way.

A revisionist take on the Pistols' legend, but an essential glide through a wicked ride.
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