The Kids Are Alright **** (1979, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, John Entwistle) – Classic Movie Review 9957

Director Jeff Stein’s essential and electrifying 1979 time capsule rockumentary film The Kids Are Alright showcases the English rock band The Who (Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, John Entwistle) and includes live performances, promotional films and interviews from 1964 to 1978.

It features the band’s last performance with original drummer Keith Moon, who died only one week after he had seen the rough cut of the film with Roger Daltrey.

It is primarily the work of American fan Jeff Stein who, despite no experience in film-making, convinced the group’s manager and then the band to support the project and get him to direct.

It is produced by Tony Klinger and Bill Curbishley (the group’s manager).

The band’s last performance with Keith Moon was filmed at Shepperton Studios in May 1978, three months before Moon’s death on 7 September 1978, aged 32, from an overdose of Heminevrin, a drug intended to treat or prevent symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. He was addicted to alcohol, and his deterioration was evident during production.

It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on 14 May 1979. The Who promoted the release with live performances with their new drummer, former Small Faces and Faces drummer Kenney Jones.

A 90-minute edited VHS circulated, but an unedited 101 minutes DVD with restored sound and digitally-restored 35mm visuals was released in 2003 by Pioneer Home Entertainment.

A soundtrack album was released in June 1979, including some songs and performances from the film, and reached number eight in the US.

Bill Curbishley produced The Who’s film Tommy, the 1980 prison movie McVicar and also the 1991 film Buddy’s Song, all starring Roger Daltrey, with whom he established the Goldhawke production company to issue the singer’s solo albums.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9957

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com