Control (DVD)

The film fits Joy Division's music perfectly. It is beautifully shot in monochrome, the two leads are superb and the attention to period detail is meticulous. Actual Macclesfield locations are used - particularly the house on Barton Street.

Like most people, I only saw Joy Division via the handful of film clips that exist. The live scenes in the film look totally convincing and Sam Riley captures Curtis's manic, twitching intensity perfectly.

As it ostensibly deals with the breakdown and suicide of a confused young man, don't expect many laughs - though the blunt, wisecracking Rob Gretton character provides much needed light relief. Neither is it a cliched band biopic as it is more concerned with the more mundane kitchen sink drama of a failing relationship.

Joy Division spods can have fun spotting factual errors (e.g. they didn't do the song Transmission for Granada TV), but if you accept that sometimes facts need to be compressed to fit a film, this is fairly faithful to the true events (and yes, Ian did have a donkey jacket with HATE on the back).

Nobody really knows why Ian Curtis killed himself, but the contributing factors are lined up like suspects in a murder case - prescription drugs, infidelity, career pressure, debilitating illness, etc. It doesn't touch upon Deborah Curtis's scary assertion in her biography that Ian might have planned it all along. Best not go there.

If you have any attachment to the band, this is required viewing (and I doubt if you've waited for the DVD). It's the necessary counter-balance to the hedonism of 24 Hour Party people and more in keeping with with the bleak, northern soul of Joy Division's music.

Started a little slow but soon picked up. About the short life of Ian Curtis ( Joy Division) from Macclesfield. This film is very moving and shows the ups and downs of being famous, which leaves you feeling he was a very tormented soul. I thought it would be in colour but it was filmed in black and white, which totally did it justice. Excellent movie!

As a native of Macclesfield and having been around both before and after the Joy Division era, I was interested to see how realistic the film was.
It turned out to be very realistic (in line with Debbie's book) and very profound.
If you have seen "24 Hour Party People" as I have, I think you will enjoy the focus on Ian Curtis rather than getting swept into the whole Hacienda/Tony Wilson scene.
An excellent story/DVD.

An ego. A necessary evil in the world of entertainment. It's the thing that keeps you strong when you're first starting out, pushing you on when all the reviews tell you you're no good at what you do. But later on, when things start to grow and change, it may be the thing that makes you feel depressed because you're no longer in control. In the case of Ian Curtis, it was his illness, his relationships, and Joy Division's plan to tour America which made him feel out of control. Anton Corbijn's film covers all these things, and with clarity, with passion, and (most importantly) with a balanced view. Ian Curtis, like all humans, was flawed, and sometimes behaved in questionable ways. But his contribution to modern music cannot be denied, and this version of his story is just about the best and most accurate you will see. Don't miss it. And yes, there are lessons here for all modern entertainers.

a very moving film.xxxxxi have watched lots of times and have not got bored a movie you could watch again and again.tops.xxxxx

I was fortunate enough to see Joy Division live , twice , i was 17 and i have strong memories of those gigs. I watched the film with some doubts but was so impressed by the performance of the main actor and supporting cast , a much needed film for those of us who remember seeing a man who changed our lives , if only he had held on , what music there could have been ! , i remember that day Ian died , i felt so alone , as no-one i knew listened to his music , i remember buying the final album , " closer " , thinking that the last 2 tracks were the most astonishing things i had ever heard , i play his music to this day , as for the disc itself , i was very tearful still , when viewing the original video for , " athmosphere " , i had not seen it for 20 years .I hope that others will see the wonderful and brave and inovative Ian Curtis , hear his expression of the human condition , hear the wonderful tone of his voice and realise that we have missed a rather wonderful person , 29 years ago he died at the age of 23 , as with Dylan Thomas , John Lennon , i always ask : , what would they have written next ?
This is a good dvd , if you are new to the music of Joy Division , find out more ! , if , you are like me , middle aged and still in love with the band , enjoy , cry and enjoy again . Timreyna@hotmail.com

A little slow, in black and white.
Not enough music I am sure Joy Division fans would like to see a lot more.
Very moving, sound very annoying dialogue quiet then music would blast out now and again.

If you are musically inclined, this film is a must. I forgot about the black and white thing (what a cheese). You cannot help but understand the turmoil of a youth, so gifted, but too deep and intense to survive the ride. The music is brilliant, the acting is brilliant - all so believable as the true depiction of a life cut short by severe mental illness

I bought thsi cd on price originally - i was buying the dvd of the movie at the same time.

listened to it for the first time all the way through today - really sums up the film with songs by bowie and iggy pop, as well as including some great joy division tracks of course.

well worth it - much in the same vein as the "lost in translation" soundtrack, where it puts you in mind of the film scenes while listening.

fans of joy division enjoyed music in the film interested in the history of joy division was acted out well read the book later

Sorry,I can't tell in english what I've felt after watching that..So let's say it in my mother tongue : it's a pure "Chef d'Oeuvre" !!!!!!

Filmed in black & white this film captures the mood of the decade and Manchester perfectly. Sad that death is the main component in transfer to the 'icon role', Curtis was gifted to the point of enshadowing New Order's achievements to date.

There wasnt anything i disliked about it! i decided to buy the DVD because there isnt enough of this type of film available... its one i will keep.

i love this group joy division,the film is fantastic a true classic,a very moving, interesting story of the life of ian curtis

I have had some great and some not so great experiences hen buying DVDs on line. This seller was very genuine and very communicative. I would state that this is a very good seller and I would gladly buy from them again.

Cheers!

GAY,LOAD OR CRAP ABOUT A TOP W-NKER."DANCE,DANCE,DANCE TO THE RADIO" NOW YOU DEAD FU-KER.I KNOW I,LL NEVER GET THE £20 THAT TW-T OWE,S ME.ANY WAY ONLY ABOUT 50% OF THIS IS TRUE.THAT,S IT MAKE THE CADGING TW-T AN HERO.
NOBO,FROM MACC.