September 17, 2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the classic rock musical Pink Floyd, wall. The film, based on the breakout album of the same name, is like a full-length music video, with each song on the album being played in a scene depicting the musical theme.
When people think of musicals, people often think of Broadway musicals adapted for the big screen. However, as bands like Pink Floyd, The Beatles and The Who demonstrated years ago, this is just the tip of the iceberg for musicals. Rock fans have plenty to look for, too, and Letterboxd fans say these musicals are as good as any other.
Contents
- 1 Tommy (1975) – 3.4/5
- 2 Rock High (1979) – 3.5/5
- 3 Grease (1978) – 3.5/5
- 4 The Beatles: Help! (1965) – 3.6/5
- 5 The Monkees: The Head (1968) – 3.6/5
- 6 The Beatles: A Hard Day’s Night (1964) – 3.8/5
- 7 The Blues (1980) – 3.9/5
- 8 This Is The Spine Faucet (1984) – 3.9/5
- 9 The Rocky Horror Show (1975) – 4.0/5
- 10 Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982) – 4.0/5
Tommy (1975) – 3.4/5
Available to rent on Prime Video and Apple TV
In the 1970s, there weren’t many bigger bands than The Who. Even today’s fans know one of their songs because it’s the opening song of the movie CSI Lots of years. In 1975, guitarist Pete Townshend helped write their first rock opera, taking their music to the next level.
This movie is very different from previous rock movies. Unlike the work of The Beatles, tommy Take music and make a movie story out of those songs. There’s nothing like it tommyFans may not be getting Pink Floyd’s The Wall for a few more years.
Rock High (1979) – 3.5/5
Live on Peacock+
In 1979, a movie that has pretty much everything there is to know about rock ‘n’ roll in the 70s. This movie is a staged comedy. rock high school. In it, PJ Soles plays Riff Randall, a girl who loves the Ramones more than any other band in the world.
The film also misrepresented the anti-rock mentality of the intelligentsia of the time. Most of all, when the Ramones appear in the film as themselves, the whole school falls into chaos. This is still one of the best movies for all rock fans.
Grease (1978) – 3.5/5
Stream on Paramount+
in spite of grease More in line with a typical musical based on a Broadway set, the songs help it stand out. One of Olivia Newton-John’s main characters is a true musician, and her opposite is young John Travolta, and the film remains a beloved classic.
Most of the songs are still familiar today, such as dance with the stars Make sure even the younger generation knows what’s hot about this movie. Like the best rock musicals, this one goes against the dictatorship, but with some additions that make it a movie everyone can enjoy.
The Beatles: Help! (1965) – 3.6/5
Available to rent on Apple TV
In the 1960s, there was no band in the world bigger than The Beatles. They came to America from England and helped change the way rock and roll was understood. The Beatles also went to Hollywood and brought their music into a number of movies, including their hit movie help!
This is The Beatles’ second album, and it helped illustrate the band’s transition from a boy band to a counterculture band of musicians. The film, with its mad scientist, was more experimental, critically acclaimed, and eventually released its own collection of classics.
The Monkees: The Head (1968) – 3.6/5
Stream on Tubo and Tubi
When the Monkees arrived, they were essentially fake versions of The Beatles on comedy TV. However, the unexpected happens when the show features real musicians who end up becoming very popular in their own right.
By 1968, the Monkeys wanted more than just imitating The Beatles. Given the opportunity to break away from TV and into acting, they created a strange story in which the band just wanted to break out of the framework the network had set for them. It’s bold, brilliant, and has released the Criterion Collection for anyone who wants to know more.
The Beatles: A Hard Day’s Night (1964) – 3.8/5
Stream on HBO Max and Criterion channels
Best Beatles Musicals of 1964 hard work day and night. Unlike their later films, help! and animation yellow submarine, the film is a super series that shows the band trying to prepare for their TV appearance. Overworked and wanting to escape, they did.
The film was a major influence on the idea of rock musicals, as well as the soon-to-be-popular music video. It also helps that the movie has great songs and The Beatles are at their peak of popularity.
The Blues (1980) – 3.9/5
Live on Fubo and Showtime
blues brothers Unlike other rock musicals, its core is an action comedy. Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi started playing these roles Saturday night live It has become one of the most popular films in the Sketch series.
In this film, Jack and Elwood Bruce go on a God-given musical mission to save an orphanage. The film was a critical and box office success, and spawned a chart-topping album containing songs from the film. The film also features musicians such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Ray Charles.
This Is The Spine Faucet (1984) – 3.9/5
Available on Prime Video and Apple TV
this is the spinal tap Not only is this one of the best documentaries in cinematic history, but it’s also one of the best rock movies ever made. Under the direction of Rob Reiner, a group of actors known for their improvisations have done the impossible to become a truly talented band.
What’s more surprising is that Spinal Tap than The Monkees ended up becoming successful hit producers. The music of the likes of Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, still played on rock radio today, has stood the test of time. It’s also really, really fun.
The Rocky Horror Show (1975) – 4.0/5
Available to rent on Prime Video and Apple TV
rock horror show It’s not for everyone, but as Letterboxd’s ratings suggest, it’s a movie that many will enjoy. The film has more than 11,000 votes and an average score of 4.0, which is quite good for a “sweet transgender” alien movie from Transylvania.
The movie is full of humour, but the songs are catchy and memorable. Not only has this become one of the greatest rock movies of all time, but it has also stood the test of time. No other movie has been in theaters for so long horror rockbecause it’s still showing at midnight 47 years after its release.
Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982) – 4.0/5
currently not available
pink wall In September 2022, it celebrates its 40th anniversary. This rock movie is basically a long music video with very little dialogue except for the music. That makes it unlike most other rock movies in history.
Instead, Pink Floyd played the entire concept album from start to finish, using scenes to represent the theme of the song as Pink Floyd emerges from a child trapped in society and forced to fit in with it. Becoming a mature rock star, emotionless and unable to cope with society. Reality. For fans of Letterboxd, this is the pinnacle of rock cinema.