That'll Be the Day

Probably the best portrayal of the '50s rebel culture has working-class Brit Jim MacLaine (David Essex) with a chip on his shoulder - due to his father abandoning the family - and doesn't care about school; he's into rock 'n' roll. His friend Mike (Ringo Starr) is no more responsible but gets Jim some jobs. But after everything, Jim sees fit only - and I mean ONLY - to play music.

Aside from the fact that this was a really good movie, I should identify that there was a sequel called "Stardust". I've never seen that one, as it's never been released on DVD. WHY NOT?! Considering how good this one was, why can't the latter get released on DVD?!

Set in post austerity Britain of the 1950's,this film brings alive the feeling and the vibe of that time vividly to to the screen.David Essex plays( or underplays )the laconic hero Jim Mclean.Jim's a bright boy but stepping on to the career ladder holds no interest for him.Rock'n'roll has broken through and for Jim there's only one vocation in life.To rock'n'roll.

The film perfectly captures the staid,constraint and carefree days of Britain in the 1950's.Along with a great soundtrack Jim makes the break from home and sets out to find his dream.

He finds it a tough world out there but eventually finds work in a holiday camp.Here he meets Mike (brilliantly played by Ringo Starr) who's been there, seen it,done it or so he claims.Mike introduces Jim to the ways of the adult world,so therefore throwing of the constrictions of the social strait-jacket that was '50's Britain.

The strong point of the film is it's realism.Why have I never heard of it's directors' other work? One of the best British films of the 1970's;this is a must see for film fans and rock'n'roll fans alike.It's sequel 'Stardust' which charts Jims rise to fame should not be mentioned in the same breath.

This so a film made in the 70s about the end of the 50s. Looking at it through modern eyes it could look dated, but it's not, it's A well made film that captures an atmosphere and a class at a specific time and place in history.

It has its flaws though, not least of which the lead character is simply awful, no real redeeming features and apart from the opening about his father leaving, it doesn't really show why he suddenly changed his attitude from talented good boy to total greaser drop out.

ITV have just shown the Jim Maclaine(David Essex) films of which this is the first and Stardust is the second and as an avid supporter and fan of sixties and seventies British cinema i thought i had to check it out.

It doesn't disappoint with its gritty evocation of a fifties childhood with a lack of a father figure. Jim then turns to the Rock and Roll world when he buys a guitar from a pawn shop at the end. His rise and fall is taken up in Stardust with Adam Faith taking the Ringo Starr role as Mike.

Great, forgotten film with superior performances from Essex and Ringo Starr and a good cameo from Keith Moon and Billy Fury.

Classic tail of adolescent male on leaving school refusing to get stuck in a dead end job, working in a corner shop if I recall rightly. Picks up a guitar and works his way to stardom. Rejecting his family, childhood girlfriend anc baby on route. David Essex is great as Jim MacLaine as is Ringo Starr his partner in crime when working the waltzers and Wong man when pulling the birds. The 50's soundtrack original songs produced by David Edmunds.

Overall it's a great taste of life in the early 60s.