Take It Or Leave It
Take It Or Leave It
Take it or Leave It (1981)– 4K restoration (BFI Dual Format BluRay/DVD BFIB1577)
Fully restored to 4K and out in UK and Irish cinemas once again from 2nd October, is the story of how one of the most successful British bands of the late 70’s and 80’s got together. Made in 1981 during their highly fruitful period between 1980 and 1986, the film tells their early life story in a realist ‘mockumentary’ style. Directed by Stiff Records’ Dave Robinson and with naturalistic performances from the band and their friends and associates and clips from their wide-awake videos, the film doesn’t let up once in the one hour and twenty- seven minute running time.
Anyone who recalls or studies the pop scene of the late 70’s/early 80’s cannot fail to be struck by how ubiquitous Madness were. Whether appearing on shows like Top of the Pops, to promote one of their sixteen top 10 singles, in magazines like Smash Hits celebrating them, the New Musical Express being (generally) appreciated and on one occasion in The Face, with Suggsy (Graham McPherson) showing off his stylish wardrobe, you couldn’t get away from them.
The ‘Nutty Boys’, seemed to appear from nowhere, but ‘Take it or Leave It’ shows another story, following them from a loose group of friends jamming haphazardly at home or to a polished unit taking the country (or at this point in time, Camden) by storm. Going through drummers and singers according to group taste, punctuality or amiability, the classic line up was reached and the world (or North London at this point, at least) beckoned.
Any film made in this place and period, so soon after the real events, could not help but reflect the harshness of life, particularly for the disenfranchised youth. Grim, rainy streets, crumbling buildings and time-worn, sweaty walled pubs and clubs frequented by the young are all here, a far cry from the glass fronted, garishly decorated money-making quarter that is today’s Camden. Locked into a succession of dead-end jobs or the soul-crushing unemployment queue, the group nevertheless manage to latch onto the lively ska music revival and make every gig a party.
The film doesn’t ignore the less pleasant side of the live music experience, with the hooligan element turning up at gigs spoiling for a fight, often with the band themselves. The gig at what became the band’s club house, the beloved Dublin Castle, is an explosion of joy, with the band firing on all cylinders, Suggsy adopting the subversive bank manager persona he used so well and Chas Smash lurking and twirling his cane like a London Teddy Boy version of voodoo god, Baron Samedi, performing a riotous ‘Bed and Breakfast Man’.
Whether you’re one of the faithful who still join in the conga line dance at revival gigs, or if Madness are a happy if distant memory, you should see this film once again and remember when pop music was fun.
The film comes to Blu Ray/DVD Limited Edition with extras on 19th October.
Pre order here: https://shop.bfi.org.uk/take-it-or-leave-it-dual-format-edition/
Scenester
26/8/26
