SYNOPSIS: "Rockumentary telling what it was like to be part of the Rolling Stones as they overcame denunciation, drugs and dissensions to become the definitive rock survivors." (bbc.co.uk)
The Rolling Stones formed in 1962. Fifty years ago. Incredibly, they're still going strong. Or at least still going. Tonight, they play the O2 Arena in London, the first of four end-of-year concerts. Brett Morgen's documentary 'Crossfire Hurricane' paints a broad portrait of the band's career, albeit rather abruptly coming to an end.
'Crossfire Hurricane' charts the most iconic moments from The Rolling Stones - using a 2011 interview with the band to narrate and navigate the viewer through their successful career. Much of the plentiful archive footage has never been seen before, while pandering to more casual fans with clips of the band performing some of their biggest hits.
The documentary covers key moments from the fate of former member Brian Jones and the deadly free concert in Northern California to its finale - the Toronto drugs bust of Keith Richards in 1977. It's a shame that the documentary fails to delve into the band's later activities but is nonetheless of interest to Stones fanatics or otherwise.
One of our esteemed writing team, Jack Thomson, had the pleasure of going to the world premiere of the film at the BFI London Film Festival 2012 and he's kindly donated a couple of photos from the night below - on the red carpet, and the band's introduction. Check out our full review of 'Crossfire Hurricane'.
Watch Part I and Part II of 'Crossfire Hurricane' on BBC iPlayer, until Sat 1 Dec.
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