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Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005)

7.9
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Ratings: 7.9/10 from 7,355 users   Metascore: 73/100
Reviews: 54 user | 43 critic | 10 from Metacritic.com

Sam Dunn is a 30-year old anthropologist who wrote his graduate thesis on the plight of Guatemalan refugees. Recenly he has decided to study the plight of a different culture, one he has ... See full summary »

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Title: Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005)

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Cast

Credited cast:
Chris Adler ...
Himself
Tom Araya ...
Himself
Gavin Baddeley ...
Himself
Blasphemer ...
Himself
...
Himself
...
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Pamela Des Barres ...
Herself
...
Himself
...
Himself
Malcolm Dome ...
Himself
...
Himself
Kristian Espedal ...
Himself
Robert Ezrin ...
Himself
George Fisher ...
Himself
Gaahl ...
Himself
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Storyline

Sam Dunn is a 30-year old anthropologist who wrote his graduate thesis on the plight of Guatemalan refugees. Recenly he has decided to study the plight of a different culture, one he has been a part of since he was a 12-year old: the culture of heavy metal. Sam sets out on a global journey to find out why this music has been consistently stereotyped, dismissed and condemned and yet is loved so passionately by its millions of fans. Along the way, Sam explores metals' obsession with some of life's most provacative subjects - sexuality, religion, violence and death - and discovers some things about the culture that even he can't defend. Shot on location in the UK, Germany, Norway, Canada and the US, this documentary is the first of its kind. It is both a defense of a long-misunderstood art form and a window for the outsider into the spectacle that is heavy metal. Written by Scot McFadyen

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

The Film That Will Take You Into the Heart of the Beast.

Genres:

Documentary | Music

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, violent images, some nudity and sexual content | See all certifications »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

21 June 2006 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Metal - Uma Jornada pelo Mundo do Heavy Metal  »

Filming Locations:


Box Office

Budget:

$1,300,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

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Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The 21 year sentence in Norway is called "life sentence", so the life sentence in Norway is 21 years. See more »

Goofs

In the movie Sam says that Varg Vikernes received a life sentence for his crimes. In Norway, however, there is no life sentence. He got the maximum 21 years. See more »

Quotes

James 'Munky' Shaffer: Kids are bored, agitated, especially if they have problems at home - parents, drug addiction, alcoholism - it all contributes to the product of a young, angry musician.
See more »

Connections

Features Heavy Metal Parking Lot (1986) See more »

Soundtracks

"Summertime Blues"
Written by Jerry Capehart & Eddie Cochran
Performed by Blue Cheer
Courtesy of Phillips Records
See more »

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User Reviews

 
A Rock N Roll film that gets it RIGHT!
17 November 2005 | by (US) – See all my reviews

This was shown during the AFI Festival held in Santa Monica, CA.

Unlike 1988' The Decline II: "The Metal Years" disaster while a big deal at the time, it still remains a brutal "cringe-fest" from start to finish and focused on predominately one style (Glam)one era (The 80s) one location(Sunset Strip) and barely covers the period of Heavy Metal that is STILL alive and well: thrash, black, speed,etc

I would have never guessed that a film about Heavy Metal would take serious the attitudes, styles, individuals,genres and provide a clear history time-line unlike Decline and any others of that ilk.

Don't know when this will come out officially, but hopefully a distributor out there will take notice, even if its headed for the midnight movie circuit.

FEATURED INTERVIEWS: Dio *Iron Maiden * Girlschool * Twisted Sister * Motorhead * Slayer * Rob Zombie* Tony Iommi * Slipknot and more.


14 of 18 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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