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I first saw the film when it landed on US cable a year after it came out. It blew my little head away, I was only 16 and it was the first new wave music I'd heard, having been a strictly folky, classical kid growing up. The music mesmerized me, as did Hazel O'Connor's amazing look and charismatic vocal performances, and Phil Daniels' tough but soft Cockney manager just stole my heart. But I think my favorite character was Jonathan Pryce's drugged out sax player. He was so out of place in the band and so harmless and pathetic, he just begged for sympathy. Favorite scenes, the performance when the lights went out, and the love scene on the train.

Okay, so the movie isn't the Rose! But it was really excellent for its limited budget and for its portrayal of the Britain of the early 80's, exploding with rebellious youth, looking for a way out of the dole queue. I went to Britain only a couple of years later and found the movie to have been very reflective of the atmosphere I found when I was there.

If you get a chance to, see it. It is a great movie, with some wonderful performances, and the music will blow you away.

Breaking Glass is a film that everyone aspiring to be in the music industry should see more than once. It is a very dark tale about the way a record company manipulates a singer to do things their way and to make as much money out of her as possible. Looking at some of today's 'search for a star' style TV shows on both in the UK and abroad I am always reminded of this film. Though not an expert on the subject, the winners of these shows tend to have one very big initial hit and then its downhill from there. This film predates these shows though the effect seems the same. After getting rid of her manager, played quite brilliantly by Phil Daniels, slowly but surely the record company changes her lyrics puts her on stimulants and she is eventually totally burnt out. You potential stars of tomorrow.... WATCH THIS AND BEWARE !!!

Here it is, 2012, and I just watched Breaking Glass, though I actually recognize a couple of the songs (possible I was listening to the movie at another time in my life).

This movie, cheesy and spunky and rough around the edges, but what a fun time I had watching it. The music transported me back to when I was fresh out of high school, in the Navy, going to clubs in NY, Chicago, Orlando and Seattle with my buds and listening to this style of music everywhere. How I love the punk and post-punk era. Some of the best music was came from the UK during this time.

The movie was the perfect anecdote for artistic exploitation amidst unrest, racism and rampant abuse by authorities. I loved the emotion and terror of the scene with the rioting skinheads and Kate singing Blackman.

Still the best scenes were reserved for the performances (dubbed, but who cares). I was overwhelmed by the performance of Eigth Day. Superb in every way.

I just can't believe it took me this long to see it!

I have watched this movie and although it is dated and low budget there is much more to this movie than "A low budget post punk Star is born!" There is the main story about a rebellious anti-establishment singer "Kate" played by Hazel O Connor who in order to "make it" has to give up control of her music and is forced on to the record company "bandwagon". This results in her losing the bands manager "Danny" (brilliantly played by Phil Daniels)who feels he is losing control of the band! But more than this, the movie is an accurate reflection of the post-punk anti-establishment feeling in England which I lived through at the time. The lyrics of Hazel's songs depict this and still have something to say today regarding Government and establishment control! However, the greatest irony is the climax of the movie where Kate (Hazel O Connor) is singing the song "Eighth day" as a protest against the establishment when she herself is having to "fit in to the establishment" to perform the song. Well worth another look!

Not sure about it being low budget though.

Growing up in these times in the UK, I have to say, this is pretty accurate. The power cuts were real. The bin men being on strike so the rubbish was piled high on the streets. Fighting between right and left wing factions, race riots, mass unemployment.

Hazel o'Connor had some hit singles with this music and was big in 1980 when this came although most of the music has aged badly and sounds awful.

The direction is basic, the script is average but I will say the film has its heart in the right place.

I had so much fun looking out for young versions of of tadays well known actors. Jonathan Pryce was a special treat.

I've worked in the music business for almost 50 years now and I so recognise this as being close to the truth of what goes on. Musicians and artists are constantly manipulated to do what the record companies want, sometimes subtly and sometimes blatantly. Young musicians/artists are so desperate to make records and be stars they sign or do anything to get there. So yes, I've seen this happen in reality.

Other reviewers have said it is dated, far from it, ok the music is very early 80's but it's a film of that era so what do you expect?

Phil Daniels is excellent as the young plugger (yes this is how the charts were fixed back then) who loved Kate and wanted to look after her. Some great early appearances of Mark (The Bill) Wingett, Derek (Casualty) Thompson, Jim Broadbent, Richard Griffiths, the late Gary Holton, Gary Olson, Michael (Foyle) Kitchen and George (Zoot) Money (blink and you miss 'em). Plus a wonderful appearance of Johnathan Pryce who actually looks as if he can play that saxophone. I mean what a wonderful cast and script not to mention the awesome Hazel O'Conner who should have gone on to superstardom writing all the music of Breaking Glass.

Also nice to see the great Gary Tibbs on bass, one of the best bass players ever having once played with Adam Ant (never understood that one), Roxy Music, Brian May and more recently Fixx. I'd have him in any band today. I understand Kate Bush auditioned for the part, seriously? I mean she could never have played the post punk Kate.

'Will You' is probably one of the best songs ever and should have got a Grammy, that sax solo, WOW!!!!

If you haven't seen this film, get it on DVD as it never seems to turn up on any TV station.

Low budget Brit pop melodrama focuses on a girl who wants to be a star, becomes one and then finds it all a bit too much. Good cast and a sense of time and place cannot hide the fact that we have all been here before. Several scenes are a bit hysterical and O'Connor's voice sounds a lot like Mini Mouse! She disappeared from sight soon after making this movie - so life can imitated art! A must see if you want to see a punk version of a Star Is Born though.

I don't understand why this film is so underrated. Hazel O'Connor's performance is breathtaking. She wrote all the songs in just over a week!!!

She says she is not a musician, I beg to differ Ms O'Connor. You are a very gifted musician.

She has so much to offer the role - the casting director nailed it. I wish this was readily available to watch on Prime. So many are missing out.

Phil Daniels was perfect casting too. Together their story broke my heart. He has a vulnerability that's captivating. The rest of the casting was spot on too. It's not like watching a film, it's like having access to a real life story happening right in front of you.

Seeing how fame can be so destructive in a time when politically speaking everything was on the Up! NOT EVERYTHING EH!

IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THIS FILM - WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!

I almost feel I need to apologize in advance to people who are big fans of this film. It's a familiar tale of a singer's rise to fame in the music biz - only twist being that she's a new wave artist sort of along the lines of Nina Hagen. The problem here is that there is little to nothing remotely new or different about the character's conflict or its all too predictable resolution.

The performances are for the most part competent, so I believe the blame has to go on the script by Brian Gibson, who both wrote and directed Breaking Glass. All the hoary cliches are here: dismissive record labels, internal squabbling among the band, drug addiction. I guess you could call her an acquired taste, but to me the lead Hazel O'Connor lacked the necessary charisma to carry the film. Again, apologies to Breaking Glass fans.

I haven't seen this movie in a few years catching it once on late night TV here in the states but I actually saw it multiple times in theaters here and later on HBO its awesome. Hazel O'Connor is amazing her voice, her acting are spot on, the lyrics to every song have great meaning from the radical anti racist Blackman, to the Anti Machine 8th day which looking back was way ahead of its time, to the incredibly touching torch song Will You. Every aspect of this production was a statement on the 80's, the Corporate Music Industry, and most of all our materialism and racism it was so much more than it appears on the service it is for me the Quintessential movie of the 80's. Fueled by good direction, a wonderfully competent supporting cast and powerful music a must see.

It's almost impossible for me to be objective about this film. I first saw it in 1981 as a 12 year old drummer with stars in my eyes. I immediately begged my dad to get me the soundtrack on vinyl and was off memorizing the entire album. It is, by far, one of my favorite movies of all time. The story is decent, the acting is good, and the music is absolutely in tune with the period. The depiction of the music industry with it's main players often exploiting every new trend, sound and artist until it and they are completely exhausted is spot-on. What truly makes this film is the music. Each track is a perfect reflection of Kate's (Hazel O'Connor) journey and is pretty darn catchy to boot. (You'll be humming "Big Brother" for days.) I highly recommend this film, as have others in the forum, for anyone aspiring to be a musician for a living. It is a brilliant parable of having and maintaining control of your art and destiny.

I first saw "Breaking Glass" in 1980, and thought that it would be one of the "Movie Classics". This film is a great look into the music industry with a great cast of performers. This is one film that should be in the collection of everyone and any one that wants to get into the music industry. I can't wait for it to be available on DVD.

One of my best films ever, maybe because i was well into the punk scene in the late 70s and went to many of hazels concerts, but the film was a good story line and very good acting by hazel and a up and coming Phil Daniels not sure about his latest project Eastenders !! excellent performance by lots of unknown actors who if you keep your eyes peeled will see them in many of the UK soaps today exp: Carver out of the Bill, the more i watch it the more of them i spot, well if you have not seen it yet have a night in with the video, don't forget to dig out the safety pin for your nose and heavy black eye makeup and shave your head Mochanian style....Enjoy

Firstly I need to admit I was and still am a big fan of Hazel O'Connor. That may apply the rose tint to my views or not but better you know this than not.

Set in the late 70's UK the film portrays the rise to fame of a post-punk singer and her subsequent fall. "Gritty" is a good description of the film as it doesn't pull it's punches in portraying both life and business. Hazel's music isn't going to be to everyone's taste and that may or may not put you off from the film as the music is central to the film tying in to the rebellious social order of the day. Though I'm a fan I'm not blind to the fact Hazel's voice is nothing outstanding but that just adds to the gritty nature I mentioned and the simply fantastic love song "Will You?" which describes the awkwardness inherent in lovers first dates is all the better for that voice. It wouldn't be the song it is if sung with a perfect voice. Another admission - that song is one of my all time favourites and contains the best sax solo ever.

Both the directing and acting are first rate, really pulling you in to the story. That story is nothing new and has been done many a time but I can't think of any that did it better.

Breaking Glass is an excellent movie which has suffered from neglect and wholly inaccurate political associations. This movie was written and made in 1978 and 1979 and released in 1980. Therefore it couldn't possibly be: "A truly excellent portrayal of 80s Britain".Nor does it depict life in: "Thatcher's Britain".

In fact Breaking Glass depicts Callaghan's Britain, which was characterised by a deplorable catalogue of industrial disputes, strikes, high unemployment, and collapsing public services during the winter of 1978-9, dubbed the 'Winter of Discontent'.

What this movie is, is one of the best kept secrets in British cinema history. And although Hazel O'Connor enjoys second billing to Phil Daniels who had just done Quadrophenia to great acclaim, she is one of the greatest talents we've ever produced. Indeed, Hazel shines as the real star throughout, possibly drawing on her own personal experiences growing up in Coventry following the break-up of her parent's marriage, which lead to her running away to Europe at the age of 16.

I saw this film in the cinema the week it was released in the UK and I was stunned by both Hazel's singing and acting talent as well as that of the saxophonist superbly played (and dubbed) by Jonathan Pryce. That solo is a classic all on its own. Every feeling I felt at the time whilst watching this stark portrayal of human nature and the workings of the music industry has stayed with me until today.

In many ways Breaking Glass suffers from being too current. All stories of social history work best when set in the past. Quadrophenia worked because it spoke of a previous period of disruptive British history - 20 years in the past. Also, there was already an undercurrent of opposition to Thatcher, but the country the Conservatives inherited from Labour on 4th May 1979 was a wreck. So it was perhaps convenient for some to use it as a metaphor for the greed and excess that was in fact still yet to come.

See this movie and enjoy it for what it is: a landmark in British Cinema history and a brilliant one-off performance from everyone involved. And catch Hazel on the net, where she sells much of her music, and live on stage where she's still gigging.

Anyone interested in pop music, and not familiar with British music trends of the late-seventies, should be sure to watch Breaking Glass at least once. The movie, about a young woman's quest to make her mark in the music world, captures the times perfectly, from the overt sexism, rough economic times, social upheaval, to the shift in pop culture from rough-and-tumble punk to terribly fey and pretentious Futurism/New Romanticism. The music and fashion styles created daily in Britain in the late-seventies are still being rediscovered and recycled (there really has been nothing new since 1980). This was a dazzling time, and Breaking Glass both tells a very personal story and surveys the cultural landscape, and does both extremely well.

I first saw this as a 17 year old in 1980 and only once more in the 1990s and the songs summed up so much of the feelings of young people growing up at that difficult time. The young people now feel they have it hard but maybe if they watch this film and others like it may realise they are far from unique. I just managed to tracked it down on Youtube after seeing one of Hazel O'Connors songs in a compilation. The film so accurately reflected the times, the attitudes and also the music industry. The music itself remains excellent, especially if you grew up in the punk and new wave era, or if you are younger and want to see why so many of your parents still watch or listen to this type of music. I just wish the current streaming TV services would carry films like this in good quality for us old new wave rockers.

I first saw "Breaking Glass" when it was released in England in 1980..I loved it then and having just caught it in August 2005 on a Canadian station it still is great. The only thing I regret is I can't find the sound track or the DVD in the stores??...anyone care to shed some light or must I order it from some over priced internet company. But getting back to the film the music stands up to the test of time, Hazel/Kate had something to say about 80's Britain..actually it was the same decade I moved to Canada for some of the same reasons one being "Thatcher" and what she was doing to the country at the time. Please if you get the chance watch this movie you won't be sorry!

I acquired this, one of my all-time favourite films on DVD recently and as usual, during viewing, the whole thing just blew me away.

I am a massive fan of Hazel O'Connor and the soundtrack to this film just has me in tears, especially the "Will You" track. It's a pure nostalgia trip for me back to my youth. This rates second best to Quadrophenia (which also starred Phil Daniels).

A great soundtrack and a great view of Britain in the Thatcherite years of the grim 80's in which I grew up. The ending is so sad, for hours after the end of the film I am like a blubbering baby.

I expect to wear out this DVD from repeated viewing, I can watch it over and over again and never be bored, simply for the soundtrack alone.

Hazel, sorry to hear about your dad darling. God Bless you all. xx

Brian Gibson, a very talented music video director (Styx, Foreigner), also made this "Breaking Glass" as a longer music video, with an interesting story. The music is gorgeous and Hazel O'Connor is compelling. Very convincing is Phil Daniels, from Franc Roddam's "Quadrophenia". Jon Finch has a special appearance as Woods the musical producer and Jonathan Pryce is cool and nice as Ken the saxophone player.

I saw this film when I was 19 I'm 57 now I have the British version Where Phil Daniel's Brings her her synthesizer At the Sanitarium where she was Staying after she ran off stage,We never saw this part when it played on American cable in 1980 The movie makes more since now.

I first came to breaking glass some years ago after having heard a track from the film. When I first watched it I thought it was shocking but after coming back to it years later I can see so much more in it. It's a truly excellent film depicting life in Thatcher's Britain as well as a wry view of the music industry. Hazel O'Conner is underrated in my view but she does excel here. Excellent film and even better soundtrack.

Watched Hazel O'Connor on a recent Lockdown 80's Festival alongside Toyah, Boomtown Rats, ABC, Tony Hadley, Claire Grogan. This film perfectly documents the transition from Punk to the Post Punk/New Romantic era of British music. Amazing film.