Don Letts

Documentary about Don Letts who played a leading role in pop history. Letts injected Afro-Caribbean music into the early punk scene and shot over 300 music videos including for Public Image Ltd. and Bob Marley, but also for teen sensations Musical Youth's reggae smash 'Pass The Dutchie'. Besides his enduring relationship with The Clash, the constant factor in Letts' eventful career as a DJ, manager, film director, musician and radio maker is that, from the 1970s on, he continued to draw attention to cultural issues, as he does today with his radio programme for BBC 6, Culture Clash Radio.

The death of punk icon and X-Ray Spex front-woman Poly Styrene sends her daughter on a journey through her mother's archives in this intimate documentary.

Featuring rarely seen archive and interviews, this documentary examines Bob Marley’s special relationship with Britain and reveals how he inspired a generation of black British youth.

"England 79" - 17 scenes from Great Britain the winter of discontent, 1979.

This stylish documentary about the iconic ska, reggae and rock-steady label is a timely and wide-ranging celebration of british Jamaican working-class youth culture.

The hitherto overlooked story of one of British music’s most influential and game-changing bands.

Documentary about reggae music and culture in London in 1977. Filmed in Super 8 camera by Don Letts. With participation of Richard Branson, Neneh Cherry, Paul Cook, Sly Dunbar, Paul Weller, John Lydon, Joe Strummer, Siouxsie Sioux, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and others. Released in 2017.

Documentary about reggae music and culture in London in 1977. Filmed in Super 8 camera by Don Letts. With participation of Richard Branson, Neneh Cherry, Paul Cook, Sly Dunbar, Paul Weller, John Lydon, Joe Strummer, Siouxsie Sioux, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and others. Released in 2017.

Don Letts examines the history of this notorious subculture in a fascinating documentary, which features interviews with members of different skinhead scenes through the decades. Beginning in the late 1960s, Don fondly recalls a time of multiracial harmony as youngsters bonded over a love of ska, reggae and smart clothes as white working-class kids were attracted to Jamaican culture and adopted its music and fashions. But when far-right politics targeted skinheads in the 1970s and 1980s, an ugly intolerance emerged, and Don reveals how the once-harmonious subgroup has since struggled to shake this stigma.

Don Letts examines the history of this notorious subculture in a fascinating documentary, which features interviews with members of different skinhead scenes through the decades. Beginning in the late 1960s, Don fondly recalls a time of multiracial harmony as youngsters bonded over a love of ska, reggae and smart clothes as white working-class kids were attracted to Jamaican culture and adopted its music and fashions. But when far-right politics targeted skinheads in the 1970s and 1980s, an ugly intolerance emerged, and Don reveals how the once-harmonious subgroup has since struggled to shake this stigma.

From Lemmy filmmaker Wes Orshoski comes the story of the long-ignored pioneers of punk: The Damned, the first U.K. punks on wax and the first to cross the Atlantic. This authorized film includes appearances from Chrissie Hynde, Mick Jones (The Clash), Lemmy and members of Pink Floyd, Black Flag, GNR, the Sex Pistols, Blondie, Buzzcocks, and more. Shot around the globe over three years, the film charts the band's complex history and infighting, as it celebrated its 35th anniversary and found its estranged former members striking out on their own anniversary tour, while still others battle cancer.

The Rolling Stones, Боб Марли, Элвис и Мадонна - лишь некоторые мировые знаменитости, которых за полвека музыкальных съемок запечатлел рок-фотограф Боб Груэн. В уникальном документальном фильме режиссер Дон Леттс, получивший премию "Грэмми", описывает жизнь и творчество Груэна, впервые показывая его великолепную коллекцию. Раскрывая удивительные истории, стоящие за некоторыми из знаменитых фотографий, Груэн дает нам представление о неординарных личностях, запечатленных на его снимках, делится своими впечатлениями о незабываемом времени, проведенном в компании звезд рок-н-ролла, а также вспоминает о своей дружбе с Джоном Ленноном.

A funny and often moving account of one of UK music's great lost treasures. Formed in 1974 by a group of school friends from Croydon, Johnny Moped were the band fronted by, and named after, the enigmatic Paul Halford aka Johnny Moped. By 1977 the group found themselves at the heart of the burgeoning punk scene in London and for a brief moment even looked like contenders. Despite being able to count both Chrissie Hynde and Captain Sensible as past members, success was not to come their way and Johnny Moped are now largely forgotten, punk rock's great lost band. Their story is however a fascinating one that, along with some of the era's most innovative music deserves to be heard.

A look at the life of John Cooper Clarke. From his rise as a 'punk poet', through his heroin addiction, and finally to his comeback.

On October 12th, 1978, New York Police discovered the lifeless body of a young woman, slumped under the bathroom sink in a hotel room. She was Nancy Spungen, an ex-prostitute, sometimes stripper, heroin addict, and girlfriend of Sex Pistols' bassist Sid Vicious.

THE CLASH LIVE: REVOLUTION ROCK is an exciting new documentary film directed by long-time Clash collaborator and Grammy-winning producer Don Letts (Westway To The World) that chronicles the electric live performances of one of the most influential bands to emerge from the UK. The film follows the live transformation of the band, incorporating footage from all phases of the Clash's meteoric career, beginning with live-in-the-studio clips and climaxing with a blow-out performance at New York's Shea Stadium in 1982. With rare and previously unreleased footage from all over the world, this film documents the history of the band by showcasing their incredible live performances, and will be a draw for both the new fan and their established passionate followers.

Сын британского дипломата, Джо Страммер (настоящее имя — Джон Грэм Мэллор) родился в турецком городе Анкара 21 августа 1952 года. Осев в Лондоне, он поменял несколько школ, позже недолго учился в арт-колледже. Основным увлечением юного Джона была музыка — рок и регги, какое-то время он был уличным музыкантом (именно тогда он взял псевдоним Джо Страммер), а в 1974 году стал лидером группы «101»ers», исполнявшей паб-рок. Группа просуществовала около двух лет и успела выпустить всего один сингл. В 1976 году произошло событие, которое кардинально изменило его жизнь, а именно — концерт «Sex Pistols» в одном из лондонских клубов. Увиденное настолько потрясло Страммера, что он тут же принял решение расстаться с «101»ers»…

A City Runs Through the Festival is an anatomy of the Festival through the eyes of its own audience.

Don Letts's hilarious and colourful profile of the godfather of funk, whose 50-year career has defined the genre. From his 1950s days running a doo-wop group out of the back of his barber store, through the madness of the monster Parliament/Funkadelic machine of the 70s to his late 90s hip-hop collaborations with Dre and Snoop, George Clinton has inspired generations of imitators. Contributors include Outkast's Andre 3000 and Macy Gray.

Critical review of the English punk rock band's 1979 album, 'London Calling'. The program features input from industry experts, including film director and DJ Don Letts, rare performance footage and clips from songs such as 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go', 'White Riot' and 'London Calling'.

The Making Of All Mod Cons has been personally overseen by Paul Weller, Rick Buckler & Bruce Foxton and the film features exclusive new interviews with all three band members. The 40-minute film also includes promo clips, previously-unseen live footage of The Jam at The Roxy Club and an exclusive solo acoustic rendition of English Rose by Paul Weller at his rehearsal studio.

A documentary on the music, performers, attitude and distinctive look that made up punk rock.

A documentary on the music, performers, attitude and distinctive look that made up punk rock.

Sun Ra was born on the planet Saturn some time ago. The best accounts agree that he emerged on Earth as Herman Blount, born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1914, although Sun Ra himself always denied that Blount was his surname. He returned to Saturn in 1993 after creating a stunningly variegated and beautiful assemblage of earthly and interplanetary music, most notably with his fervently loyal Arkestra. Sun Ra and his Arkestra were the subject of a few documentary films, notably Robert Mugge’s ‘A Joyful Noise’ (1980), which interspersed performances and rehearsals with Sun Ra’s commentary on various subjects ranging from today’s youth to his own place in the cosmos. This documentary reuses some of Mugge’s material and includes some additional interviews.

The documentary tells the story of the making of The Clash's 'London Calling' album and included in a special 25th Anniversary edition re-release of the original album. Directed by Don Letts and including interviews with Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon and othey key figures, this also includes previously unreleased home footage of The Clash recording London Calling in Wessex Studios.

Formed in 1976, The Clash embodied passion, idealism and political social zeal. Blending rock, reggae, hip-hop and funk, they were the cutting edge of the punk scene. This disc, an essential primer for fans of the influential group, includes tracks such as "White Riot," "Complete Control," "Tommy Gun," "Clampdown" and much more. Also includes a "Clash on Broadway" theatrical trailer and the group's never-before-seen home movie, "Hell W10."

Kassa a free-wheelin rasta man, falls for a straight laced gospel singer Serena, when they both meet as they enter a music contest. Serena's father the pastor forbids her to see him and wants her to marry one of his church members. Meanwhile the record boss organizing the contest, tries to get Kassa's band to sign to his label on his terms not theirs. By using heavy tactics, he pushes the band to fight back.

Gil Scott-Heron was one of the most influential musicians and poets of the last 50 years. In Don Letts's documentary, Gil tells his own story for the first time-from being one of the first black children to integrate an all white Southern state school to becoming the Godfather of Rap. There are contributions from Chuck D, Mos Def, Richi Havens and the Last Poets, among others. Filmed in October 2003, Gil performs live and recites poetry out on the streets of Harlem, which have inspired so much of his music.

Gil Scott-Heron was one of the most influential musicians and poets of the last 50 years. In Don Letts's documentary, Gil tells his own story for the first time-from being one of the first black children to integrate an all white Southern state school to becoming the Godfather of Rap. There are contributions from Chuck D, Mos Def, Richi Havens and the Last Poets, among others. Filmed in October 2003, Gil performs live and recites poetry out on the streets of Harlem, which have inspired so much of his music.

A 2000 documentary film about the British punk rock band The Clash. In 2003 it won the Grammy Awards for the best long form music video. Directed by Don Letts, the film combines old footage from the band's personal collection filmed in 1982 when The Clash went to New York with new interviews conducted for the film by Mal Peachey of members Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon, and Joe Strummer and other people associated with the group.

Street vendor Marcia is scraping together a living in the ghetto section of Kingston, Jamaica. Her young daughter is being hounded by a rich sugar daddy who has been supporting the family; her brother's life is being threatened by a local thug. So, when the licentious patron threatens to abandon the family, and her brother breaks down under pressure, Marcia hits bottom. She needs to escape to a haven where she can get lost in fantasy; Marcia, don in sex-me-up clothing and outrageous glamour, finds refuge in the beats of the very dance hall outside of which she normally vends.

Street vendor Marcia is scraping together a living in the ghetto section of Kingston, Jamaica. Her young daughter is being hounded by a rich sugar daddy who has been supporting the family; her brother's life is being threatened by a local thug. So, when the licentious patron threatens to abandon the family, and her brother breaks down under pressure, Marcia hits bottom. She needs to escape to a haven where she can get lost in fantasy; Marcia, don in sex-me-up clothing and outrageous glamour, finds refuge in the beats of the very dance hall outside of which she normally vends.

Three blondes from another planet land on earth to conduct research into romantic love

When sweet-voiced Cassie of unsigned reggae act Midnight is offered a lucrative deal to join successful group Breaks by record company rep Billy, her band mate boyfriend Tyron is none too pleased.

Неутомимый неудачник Руперт Папкин уверен, что он призван быть гениальным юмористом. Вопреки полному отсутствию таланта, он точно знает, что его ждет немеркнущая слава блистательного шоумена. Нужно лишь один разок выступить перед зрителями — и он станет звездой. Решив начать свою карьеру с самого верха, Руперт осаждает популярнейшего ведущего «Вечернего шоу» Джерри Лэнгфорда, чтобы тот позволил ему выступить в своей передаче. Но легендарный комик не желает иметь ничего общего с этим самоуверенным бездарем. Получая отказ за отказом, Руперт, в конце концов, решается на отчаянный шаг, не сомневаясь, что теперь-то весь мир узнает о нем…

Documentary on the London punk-rock scene, circa '78

Documentary on the London punk-rock scene, circa '78

Documentary on the London punk-rock scene, circa '78

Big Audio Dynamite: The Tube 1986

Big Audio Dynamite: Meltdown 1987

They have raged on for forty years, cutting a swath across continents and lighting the fuse of revolutionary thought. From the pressure-cooker ghettos of England to the mighty gates of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, one band has forged an enduring legacy. This is their story.