Lambert & Stamp

Let's play a little name association game, shall we? I'll write a name and you say out loud the first thing that comes into your mind. Okay? Okay. Here we go. Kit Lambert. Nothing? Okay. Christopher Stamp. Still nothing. How about Terence Stamp? Maybe a little flash of something? Maybe? Let's try… Roger Daltry. Pete Townshend. Keith Moon. John Entwistle. We probably got something from some or all of those names, but just in case we didn't, here's one more: The Who. Most people, even those who weren't born when their music was the most popular, are at least aware of the British rock band The Who, one of the most influential of the 20th century. All the names in this paragraph are a part of the story of The Who and the documentary "Lambert & Stamp" (R, 1:57) puts them all together.

Kit Lambert and Christopher Stamp were very different young men when they started talking one day in a London pub in the early 1960s – and had no intentions of pursuing the careers which would end up linking their names together forever. Lambert was a rich kid with an Oxford education and a famous father (a composer and conductor of classical music). Stamp was a working class kid whose father was a tug boat captain who worked on London's Thames River. But these two young men shared a passion – for film. They both wanted to be directors, but they were both working as assistant directors and saw no realistic chance to move up the ladder in the film industry. After spending a day together, they hatched a rather audacious plan which would change their lives, and the lives of many other people as well.

Both Lambert and Stamp were interested in the burgeoning youth mod culture. Their idea was to find a rock band that appealed to that particular segment of society, make that band famous and then make a movie about that band. After months of London nightlife, they finally found the band that they felt was perfect for their project. That band was called "The High Numbers". It would soon be renamed "The Who". Lambert and Stamp became the band's co-managers, with no experience whatsoever. These guys knew nothing about rock music, but they had big ideas, lots of confidence and it soon became clear that they had great instincts. They put The Who on the map and the rest is rock and roll history… and would qualify as a series of spoilers if I told you the rest of the story here.

The documentary about Lambert and Stamp's lives and their personal and professional relationship is inextricably linked to the story of The Who, but the movie's focus remains on the two men who worked tirelessly to make the group famous. The film is driven mainly by interviews and illustrated by a large amount of historic photographs and archival footage. Interviewees include Christopher Stamp (but not Kit Lambert, who died in 1981), Chris' older brother, actor Terence Stamp (who, obviously, was around for much of this story and even helped finance his younger brother's ventures at some point), and, of course, the two surviving members of the original band The Who, Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend. But this documentary is a lot more than a series of talking heads. Since Lambert and Stamp were originally out to make a movie about The Who, they were doing a lot of filming, which provides this documentary's director, James D. Cooper, with an abundance of background footage which he uses quite well.

The appeal of "Lambert & Stamp" has much to do with the enduring popularity of The Who's music, but it goes well beyond that. This documentary is a fascinating look behind the scenes at the music industry, at least in one particular time and place, and an unlikely story of two men from very different backgrounds coming up with an idea that was both clever and ambitious, but then succeeding beyond their wildest dreams – in a very different direction. On the level of a truth-is-stranger-than-fiction human drama and a kind of Behind the Behind the Music story, the film works well. Unfortunately, it could have worked even better – and should have – with just a few improvements. The interviews are not really interviews in that those clips mainly just show the subjects talking and when we do hear a question asked, it's not well-stated or well-mic'ed. The film also should have provided some more background – especially at the beginning. It was a little disorienting and frustrating to have no context to get into the story. The film's opening minutes even felt a bit disorganized. Still, this is an interesting and entertaining film that's likely to please music fans and anyone who just enjoys a good story. "B"

"Lambert & Stamp"rocks your soul, moves your heart, captures your attention with raw, authentic and vibrant communications between rock icons and visionary wizard managers opening their hearts and history in a never-seen-before transparent way. Chris Stamp & Kit Lambert are pioneers in the music world and initiators of the first UK independent record label "Track Records". The magic of their co-creation, THE WHO, Jimi Hendrix, Thunderclap Newman, Arthur Brown and more. Director James D. Cooper was the only film maker trusted to make this film. Producer Loretta Harms dedicated 10 years of her life holding the privately financed, sacred, creative flow of this extraordinary film. Oscar nominated Hollywood Film editor Chris Tellefsen did a vibrant job of editing the film brilliantly.A work of art!!!! A must see!!!

The British Navy ruled the waves for hundreds of years. The British also ruled the waves in the 60s, the airwaves. This doc gives you insight into the incredible management team of Kit Lambert and Christopher Stamp. I think any one studying management or leadership would benefit from all the insights presented in the film.

Kit Lambert came from an aristocratic background; private schools, Oxford, British Army and adventure trek up the Amazon (this could be a movie all by itself). Christopher Stamp from a rough working background, his dad was a tugboat captain. The family survived the Blitz and his brother Terence began a film career in 1962, so the future looked promising. He met Kit at the Shepperton Film Studios, where they were both working on film projects. You can almost feel how the pair worked from various clips in the film. Chris was the charismatic charmer and Kit won the trust of the artists and helped shape a vision. They planned their project with the Who with a multimedia approach, years ahead of their time.

I think the two most revealing moments in the doc were the two interviews with the German and French crews. Kit described his total philosophy in impeccable German and French, no mean feat in itself. Pete Townsend and Roger Daltry also give invaluable insight into the formation and development of the WHO. I remember seeing the WHO in Montreal around 1967 at the Forum. It was a sensational show, and yes Pete put his guitar through the amp! Cool!

Greetings again from the darkness. Considering myself a big and long-time fan of the rock band The Who, this documentary from first time filmmaker James D Cooper caught me off-guard with the surprising amount of detail and behind-the-scenes insight into how the band broke out from the dingy club circuit to a world of gold records, massive arena shows, mansions, and international acclaim. The answer is in the title: Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp.

Unless you are a Rock Music historian, these names are probably new to you. Lambert was the son of renowned British composer Constant Lambert and had a "proper" private school upbringing, including an Oxford education. Stamp, the brother of actor Terrence Stamp and son of a tugboat captain, was the polar opposite – blue collar family with a street-wise education. This odd couple bonded over their love of French New Wave films, and decided to create their own film project to capture the restlessness and rebellion of British teenagers in the early 1960's. Their idea was to film a band that captured the essence of the times, and this led them to put off the film project, and instead manage and mentor a group of "unattractive" mods known as The High Numbers … soon to the The Who.

Much of the film is dedicated to interviews of the survivors. Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey from The Who, seem quite complimentary in their recollection of the influence of Lambert and Stamp, as well as the band's late members Keith Moon and John Entwistle. Since Kit passed away in 1981, the bulk of the interview time goes to Chris Stamp, who is unabashed in his respect for Lambert and how their differing styles but single vision helped drive the band's development through some pretty lean early years. Stamp passed away in 2012, so his interviews and recollections helped capture a time that would otherwise be little more than newsclips and home movies. His memories are a treasure trove for an era.

The film opens with a perfectly placed 8th century quote from Hesiod. This band of misfits and outsiders was being managed by two fellows who were equally misfit – the result being musical genius and never before seen stage theatrics. There is a segment with Townshend and Daltrey conversing about drummer Keith Moon that drives home the frustration and sadness that these two felt towards their bandmate, who was an exceedingly troubled man (Moon died in 1978 at age 32). When Townsend says "Keith Moon wasn't a drummer … He was something else". We know exactly what he means.

Director Cooper does a really nice job of keeping the focus on the two men behind the band, rather than the four lads on stage. We all know the music. We all know the tragedies. What we weren't aware of is how Lambert and Stamp managed this band to reach the huge heights of success … and this theme is never lost. One of the most fascinating clips has Townshend playing an early and very rough cut of a song that he is working on for the two managers. He is begging for their input and suggestions – a level of openness we rarely glimpse from artists, and one that clarifies just how much impact the titular characters had on the band … right down to the songs and the stage act.

The film is a bit tough to watch at times what with all the quick cuts of photographs and clips … kind of dizzying and distracting. That reaction is probably a result of this being such a non-traditional … actually quite unconventional documentary. It is by no means a retrospective or tribute to The Who. Instead, and much more impressively, it's a rare look at the fearless approach of two British gents who set out to make a statement on the times, and instead helped create something timeless.

This film will draw you in and touch your heart as it exposes what it means to live your dreams. A beautiful exploration of the visions and fires that brought the legendary band, The Who into being. Two young men from different beginnings find a common vision to create and break free from their origins. The charming and bold duo, Chris Stamp and Kit Lambert, remind us what it is to be young and believe in no limits. Genius and madness mix as six incredible talents come together and inspire generations through the universal language of music. In a brave undertaking, director James D. Cooper elicits poignant and fascinating interviews from those who remember this incredible journey. His connection and understanding of these men keeps us engaged and wanting more. It is a universal story of passion and frailty. The lyrical editing and incredible soundtrack complete the picture leaving the audience satisfied and hungering at the same time. A film that will stay with you long after you leave the theatre.