Search - Shadowplayers : Factory Records 1978-81 on DVD

A surprisingly good dvd - and a must for FAC fans

Martin Percival | Marlow, UK | 04/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I picked this up just on the off chance that I might find the content of interest and I was really pleasantly surprised.

The dvd tells the early history of Factory Records through interviews with numerous (22) participants in well shot interviews. These are not only the main players like Tony Wilson, Peter Hook and Peter Saville but also many unexpected contributors including Annick Honoré from Factory Benelux, Jaz Coleman - Killing Joke, Richard Jobson - the Skids and Chris Wilson - Cabaret Voltaire.

Director James Nice explores the history of the label over 2 hours 15 minutes divided into 19 chapters. These cover subjects like The Factory Club, sleeve art and graphic design, producer Martin Hannett, the riot at the Joy Division concert at Bury in April 1980, the Factory Benelux connection, the tragic suicide of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis, the beginnings of New Order and the decline of the post-punk culture in 1981.

This dvd is a must for any fans of the early years of Factory, but be aware that it features very little music. It's mainly all interviews plus some live footage."

Heart and soul

Paul Richardson | penrith nsw AU | 03/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"probably the best,definitive history of one of post punks most influential bands.Of course this is not just the story of joy division,their history includes factory records,it includes tony wilson and peter saville and rob gretton and alan erasmus.This documentary covers the three year period of JDs recording era,it includes many of the players in their shadows;A certain ratio ,vinni reilly,larry & vinni cassidy and many more building the story.contributions from contemporaries like the buzzcocks and killing joke and cabaret voltaire. and some touching insights from tony wilson and annik honore .unfurtunately hooky is the only band member on film , but is incredibly enlightening An absolute must for anyone interested in this genre.one of the best histories outside of debbie curtis or lindsay reades book."