Take It or Leave It

1981
1h 27m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Autobiographical account of the cult 80's British pop group Madness, with members of the group playing themselves, charting their rise from humble beginnings as pub band The Invaders to char... Read allAutobiographical account of the cult 80's British pop group Madness, with members of the group playing themselves, charting their rise from humble beginnings as pub band The Invaders to chart success and their first overseas tour. The film follows the ups and downs of individual ... Read allAutobiographical account of the cult 80's British pop group Madness, with members of the group playing themselves, charting their rise from humble beginnings as pub band The Invaders to chart success and their first overseas tour. The film follows the ups and downs of individual members of the group, and features all of their early hits including "The Prince", "One St... Read all

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

250

YOUR RATING

8User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos3

User reviews8

7.3250

Featured reviews

8Richard Groves

A must for Madness fans everywhere, others can do as the title suggests

Ultimately, a film for fans, which is why I give this 8 out of 10, because I am a huge Madness fan and always have been. Essentially a low budget bio-pic of the 'Nutty Boys' origins as people and as a group. The acting obviously isn't great but there are some nice touches and funny moments along the way. Of course, it is the music which carries this film along, Madness fans will love it but I don't think it would be everyone's cup of tea.

10robertjannl

Obligatory stuff if you play or want to play in a band.

The acting in this film may not be brilliant, this film does, however, provide an accurate picture of life in a band. It does not glorify the band members and their achievements but it is a very down to earth narrative about the trials and tribulations of an emerging band. There is some good music to be found and it is worthwile to watch a band grow towards its final shape as one of England's finest bands. Take it, don't leave it!

3fre-roen

Dumb

For a lot of reasons one could slaughter the whole thing, but I choose to let them get away with it. Even the ugly commentary track added on to the DVD I'll let slip. Yes, the burping and smattering, and increasingly lack of concentration. But the cut's made in the picture's ratio is there no excuse for. Dumb, quite frankly. Typical now these days when the elder pictures are released again. This could be left as a 4:3 ratio as it was shot and for that reason alone I give it *** So there you go. Give It another try then if you can get your head around the dilemma amateurish producers. You just don't deserve the royalties dripping down on you if there's no substance in your material you're presenting. I think more than just some of us whom bought this over priced object from ebay got a mixed feeling after-wards.

10andyperkis

Awesome film about the origins of the Nutty Boys

I first saw this film at the cinema when it was first released , and I was awestruck then as I a teenager in doc martins as am now coming into my 50's. it you're a Madness fan you'll be smiling all the way through this , brilliantly edited and although the acting is raw , it adds to the whole feel of the documentary angle there were looking for. Watching it again now brings back fond memories if my childhood following Madness. It's a great insight into the origins of the band , and makes you wish you were there at those first live gigs in London.

Recommend for all Madness fans obviously but also for anyone brought up in the 80's music scene as the film will transport you back to those wonderful days.

9bradstickings

Very good

A must see for any Madness fans or not. Takes a while to get some of the story, however that's the only for. The songs are brilliant, and it you can really see the progression of the band throughout time. Although it is labeled as "drama" it's surprisingly funny and entertaining. It's one of those films that you don't need loads of CGI or stunts to make it good, it's the story that drives it.

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
No liberties were taken when it comes to the story, it's a case is what you see is what you get ie: this being an autobiographical movie of how the band came together and no added for embellishment scenes were added. Most of the band's friends played the parts of people that actually did the things you see in the movie.

Goofs
At the start of the scene where Mike is having breakfast with Chris, the level of milk in the milk bottle is just over half full, but in the next shot when Mike pours the milk into his cereal, suddenly the milk bottle is close to being full.

Quotes
Barso: There you go, there's your bus-stop.
Carl: What do you mean there's the bus-stop.
Barso: I mean there is the bus-stop,.
Carl: You said you were gonna give us a lift home. That's why I came to rehearsals. Come on, give us a lift home.
Barso: What do you want? You can walk you can take the bus, anything you want.