Official Selection: London Film Festival, New York Film Festival
the ballad of mott the hoople
‘The Ballad of Mott The Hoople’ is a feature length documentary that tells the story of one of the UK’s greatest and most cherished bands – glam rock ‘n’ rollers Mott The Hoople.
Storming out of Hereford in the late Sixties, and Svengali’d by legendary producer & tastemaker Guy Stevens, Mott’s raucous live shows sees them become one of the most popular live acts in the country. A failure to translate that popularity into substantial record sales leaves record label and the band frustrated, and (following an especially demoralising gig in Zurich in 1972), they decide to split up.
Enter the rapidly rising star David Bowie, who insists they don’t break up, and offers them “All the Young Dudes”, which Mott make their own and turn into an undeniable classic. It’s a worldwide smash that makes their dreams come true, and Mott - clad in silver, leather and comically high heels, ride the glam-rock wave to the very top, which is where the trouble really starts.
Containing stunning archive and insightful interviews with band members Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs, Verden Allen, Dale ‘Buffin’ Griffin, Ariel Bender, Morgan Fisher and numerous other associates and witnesses, including Mick Jones of the Clash, Mott fanclub president Kris Needs and Queen’s Roger Taylor among others, The Ballad of Mott the Hoople lovingly documents the rise, fall, rise and eventual disintegration of one of the era’s iconic bands.
