The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle

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The Sex Pistols star in director Julien Temple's bizarre and hilarious fictional documentary that charts the rise and fall of punk's most notorious band through the eyes of its calculating manager, Malcolm McLaren. Mixing animation and midgets with...read more

The Sex Pistols star in director Julien Temple's bizarre and hilarious fictional documentary that charts the rise and fall of punk's most notorious band through the eyes of its calculating manager, Malcolm McLaren. Mixing animation and midgets with footage of some of The Pistols' most electrifying live performances, the 1980 film presents the band's success as an elaborate scam perpetrated by McLaren to make "a million pounds" at the expense of record companies, outraged moralists, the British Royal Family-and even the fans and band members themselves. The Great Rock Rock 'n' Roll Swindle was called "a parable of our times" by the Guardian (UK), but most music fans simply consider it one of the best rock films ever. More than 25 years after their breakup, The Sex Pistols' music continues to influence punk and post-punk bands the world over. The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle shows why. Features the classic Sex Pistols line-up of Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Sid Vicious, and Paul Cook.

Original Release

03/06/1980

US Release

03/06/1980

Cast

(see additional cast & crew)

Directors

Julien Temple

Writers

Julien Temple

Cast

Producers

Editors

Gordon Swire, David Rae, Bernie Pokrzywa, Mike Maslin, Crispin Green, Richard Bedford

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