IMDb > Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005)
Metal: A Headbanger's Journey
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 8 | slideshow) Videos
Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005) -- US Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video

Overview

User Rating:
8.1/10   3,688 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Sam Dunn (writer)
Scot McFadyen (writer)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Metal: A Headbanger's Journey on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
21 June 2006 (USA) more
Plot:
Sam Dunn is a 30-year old anthropologist who wrote his graduate thesis on the plight of Guatemalan refugees... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Is This the Most Metal Movie Ever Made?
 (From Cinematical. 9 June 2009, 4:02 PM, PDT)

Weekly Poll Results: Best Rock Doc
 (From FilmJunk. 22 April 2009, 10:41 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
a good subjective approach to the many strands and off-shoots of an under-looked genre of music more (48 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)
Chris Adler ... Himself
Tom Araya ... Himself
Gavin Baddeley ... Himself
Blasphemer ... Himself
Randy Blythe ... Himself

Alice Cooper ... Himself
Pamela Des Barres ... Herself
Bruce Dickinson ... Himself
Ronnie James Dio ... Himself
Malcolm Dome ... Himself
Sam Dunn ... Himself
Robert Ezrin ... Himself
George Fisher ... Himself
Gaahl ... Himself
Donna Gaines ... Herself
Al Gore ... Himself (archive footage)
Tipper Gore ... Herself (archive footage)
Angela Gossow ... Herself
Ernest F. Hollings ... Himself (archive footage)
Ihsahn ... Himself
Tony Iommi ... Himself
Joey Jordison ... Himself
John Kay ... Himself
Kerry King ... Himself
Chuck Klosterman ... Himself
Mercedes Lander ... Herself
Morgan Lander ... Herself
Geddy Lee ... Himself
Lemmy ... Himself
Tom Morello ... Himself
Necrobutcher ... Himself
Vince Neil ... Himself
Doro Pesch ... Herself
Samoth ... Himself
James 'Munky' Shaffer ... Himself
Brian Slagel ... Himself
Dee Snider ... Himself
Corey Taylor ... Himself
Eddie Trunk ... Himself
Robert Walser ... Himself
Alex Webster ... Himself

Rob Zombie ... Himself
more

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language, violent images, some nudity and sexual content.
Runtime:
USA:96 min | Canada:96 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | Canada:96 min | Australia:98 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The 21 year sentence in Norway is called "life sentence", so the life sentence in Norway is 21 years. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: Dunn also mentions the "Filthy 15", a list of artists with lyrics considered obscene in one of a number of ways. Sam mentions that, of the 15, 8 are metal bands- he has miscounted. Upon reviewing the list, Danish black metal band Mercyful Fate make the list but bump the count to 9 bands. They are also not highlighted like the other metal bands sharing spots on the list. more
Quotes:
Sam Dunn: What is the primary ideologies or primary ideas that fuel Gorgoroth's music?
Gaahl: [long dramatic pause] SATAN...
[drinks from wine glass]
more
Movie Connections:
References This Is Spinal Tap (1984) more
Soundtrack:
Summertime Blues more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
12 out of 13 people found the following comment useful.
a good subjective approach to the many strands and off-shoots of an under-looked genre of music, 28 October 2006
7/10
Author: MisterWhiplash from United States

Actually, to say that heavy-metal music is just a genre of music is almost insulting in some circles. As someone who's too eclectic to really be solely a metal-head, but has been in the realm of the metal world to see how it goes, I can empathize with Sam Dunn's main intention with the documentary; this music should not be seen as just some goofy, crude, offensive, or dangerous off-shoot of old-time rock n roll (not that the last one doesn't apply in one or two cases). It's to show how personal this music, and how this 'way of life' can be for a person, and how it affects personality but not necessarily in the perceived negative light. Dunn, of course, has his head totally together, which is how he can go head-to-head with metal legends &/or notorious sorts like Tony Iommi, Bruce Dickinson, Lemmy, Alice Cooper, Dee Snider, Dio and Rob Zombie (Geddy Lee is also among the big known interviewees, though it's strange to see him here when he's not really 'metal', at least in league with these guys).

But through him and his collaborators, he is able to get inside not just the off-shoots and specifics of the world of heavy-metal. The look, the style, the attitude, the controversies both domestic (i.e. Dee Snider's battle with Tipper Gore) and foreign (a superlatively done look at the Norwegian black-metal scene, which is both tense and hilarious), the women bands in the world, and how it helps some people really get better on with life either to hear it or play it or, of course, both. Dunn's look is good if, by necessity perhaps too, too brief, as he at one point lists a kind of heavy-metal family tree of sorts- all too quickly to really see every single one- and barely scratches the surface in the 96 minute running time. Maybe there is only so much that can be covered in a feature-length film, but the subject matter serves to be even more looked into; VH1 had also done a heavy-metal documentary, and it lasted four hours. On the other hand, Dunn and his people actually do get some material here that is more precious, and more enlightening. The juxtaposition of the 'true believers' and horrors in Norways black-death-metal scene with a band like Slayer, who are bad to the bone and have fans who go toe limit, is interesting.

It's the kind of documentary that really does work for that it's worth, but not enough of a good thing is explored for fans. Non-fans may get just enough that they can handle, a mix of the basic facts and key points (i.e. the coining of the term 'metal', the roots in the blues, the devil horns, and a look at outrageous album covers). It's good subjective film-making, though edging a little much on trying to get enough history along with the personal history.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (48 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Your Ultimate Metal Album Sam_The_Metalhead
in order to score/get together with a metal chick... menstruationeater
How did you get into metal? hugh-lawrence-1
A question for the women... MasterFiveMagics
What is the venom song that they show??? sshwrty
The map? pet-x
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Global Metal Trick or Treat Iron Maiden: Flight 666 Carrie Niagara, Niagara
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Documentary section IMDb Canada section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.