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Control (2007)

 -  Biography | Drama | Music  -  5 October 2007 (UK)
7.7
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Ratings: 7.7/10 from 36,221 users   Metascore: 78/100
Reviews: 134 user | 175 critic | 27 from Metacritic.com

A profile of Ian Curtis, the enigmatic singer of Joy Division whose personal, professional, and romantic troubles led him to commit suicide at the age of 23.

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(book), (screenplay)
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Title: Control (2007)

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Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 27 wins & 22 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Debbie Curtis
...
Annik Honore
...
...
...
...
...
Andrew Sheridan ...
Terry
Robert Shelly ...
Twinny
...
Ian's Father
Tanya Myers ...
Ian's Mother
Martha Myers Lowe ...
Ian's Sister (as Martha Myers-Lowe)
...
Nick
David Whittington ...
Chemistry Teacher
Edit

Storyline

Ian Curtis is a quiet and rather sad lad who works for an employment agency and sings in a band called Warsaw. He meets a girl named Debbie whom he promptly marries and his band, of which the name in the meantime has been changed to Joy Division, gets more and more successful. Even though Debbie and he become parents, their relationship is going downhill rapidly and Ian starts an affair with Belgium Annik whom he met after one of the gigs and he's almost never at home. Ian also suffers from epilepsy and has no-good medication for it. He doesn't know how to handle the feelings he has for Debbie and Annik and the pressure the popularity of Joy Division and the energy performing costs him. Written by Marco van Hoof <k_luifje7@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief sexuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

| | |

Language:

Release Date:

5 October 2007 (UK)  »

Also Known As:

Controle - A História de Ian Curtis  »

Box Office

Budget:

€4,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$27,674 (USA) (12 October 2007)

Gross:

$871,577 (USA) (25 January 2008)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene showing Tony Wilson talking to Ian Curtis in the empty Derby Hall in Bury after the April 1980 riot features a large equipment case on which the number "501" prominently appears. When Tony Wilson was buried in August, 2007, his coffin was marked with the number 501, the last number in the Factory Records catalog. See more »

Goofs

On the contract signed in Tony's blood, drummer Stephen Morris' name is spelled Steven. (The band mocks Tony's lightheadedness from the blood loss by falsely telling him that "Morris" needs to have a second "s" added, but no mention is made of the misspelling of his first name.) See more »

Quotes

Ian Curtis: So this is permanence; love-shattered pride. What once was innocence, has turned on its side.
See more »

Connections

References On the Waterfront (1954) See more »

Soundtracks

"Insight"
(Ian Curtis / Peter Hook / Stephen Morris / Bernard Sumner)
Published by Zomba Music Publishers Limited
Performed by Joe Anderson (as Anderson), James Anthony Pearson (as Pearson),
Sam Riley (as Riley), Harry Treadaway (as Treadaway)
Courtesy of Northsee Ltd
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Surprised that it was so good
5 October 2007 | by (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews

I read the reviews of this film and decided it was worth a punt. I have to say that although I was in Manchester during the 1970s I was not a fan of Punk music. This film is beautifully made - almost like a 1950/60s kitchen sink film of the gritty north (there are worse places than Macclesfield, believe me!). I don't know Joy Divsion's work but the acting in this film by the major players was excellent. Sam Riley as Curtis is very very good as is Samantha Morton as his downtrodden wife. I thought the guy who played the manager was a bit OTT. What a shame that Tony Wilson died before this was released. My reaction to it was much like the one I had to Trainspotting. I was convinced that I wouldn't like it but came away feeling that this was a very important film. Even if you don't know Punk music or Joy Division - go along. Well worth it.


46 of 67 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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Mindless Hero Worship CahillSellers
Possible that Debbie murdered Ian? ashingtray
Music similar to Joy Division robespierre_1992
Not bad...but.... adrian-bradley
Morton's Performance erwin_kerssenberg
They should do the sequel following New Order the_sorceror
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