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Breaking Glass

  • 19801980
  • PGPG
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Breaking Glass (1980)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:31
1 Video
40 Photos
  • Drama
  • Musical
A rock singer is determined to rise to the top of the profession, letting nothing stand in the way of that goal.A rock singer is determined to rise to the top of the profession, letting nothing stand in the way of that goal.A rock singer is determined to rise to the top of the profession, letting nothing stand in the way of that goal.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Brian Gibson
  • Writer
    • Brian Gibson
  • Stars
    • Phil Daniels
    • Hazel O'Connor
    • Jon Finch
Top credits
  • Director
    • Brian Gibson
  • Writer
    • Brian Gibson
  • Stars
    • Phil Daniels
    • Hazel O'Connor
    • Jon Finch
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 25User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Breaking Glass
    Trailer 2:31
    Breaking Glass

    Photos40

    Breaking Glass (1980)
    Breaking Glass (1980)
    Breaking Glass (1980)
    Breaking Glass (1980)
    Hazel O'Connor in Breaking Glass (1980)
    Phil Daniels in Breaking Glass (1980)
    Hazel O'Connor in Breaking Glass (1980)
    Hazel O'Connor in Breaking Glass (1980)
    Hazel O'Connor in Breaking Glass (1980)
    Hazel O'Connor in Breaking Glass (1980)
    Phil Daniels and Michael Kitchen in Breaking Glass (1980)
    Jonathan Pryce in Breaking Glass (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Phil Daniels
    Phil Daniels
    • Dannyas Danny
    Hazel O'Connor
    Hazel O'Connor
    • Kateas Kate
    Jon Finch
    Jon Finch
    • Woodsas Woods
    Jonathan Pryce
    Jonathan Pryce
    • Kenas Ken
    Peter-Hugo Daly
    Peter-Hugo Daly
    • Mickas Mick
    Mark Wingett
    Mark Wingett
    • Tonyas Tony
    Gary Tibbs
    • Daveas Dave
    Charles Wegner
    • Campbellas Campbell
    Mark Wing-Davey
    Mark Wing-Davey
    • Fordyceas Fordyce
    Hugh Thomas
    • Davisas Davis
    Derek Thompson
    Derek Thompson
    • Andyas Andy
    Nigel Humphreys
    Nigel Humphreys
    • Brianas Brian
    Ken Campbell
    • Publicanas Publican
    Lowri Ann Richards
    Lowri Ann Richards
    • Janeas Jane
    • (as Lowri-Ann Richards)
    Peter Tilbury
    • C.I.D. Officeras C.I.D. Officer
    Patrick Murray
    Patrick Murray
    • Injured Boyas Injured Boy
    Richard Griffiths
    Richard Griffiths
    • Studio Engineeras Studio Engineer
    Janine Duvitski
    Janine Duvitski
    • Jackieas Jackie
    • Director
      • Brian Gibson
    • Writer
      • Brian Gibson
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie was cut for its American theatrical release in the USA where approximately the last ten minutes and the ending were removed.
    • Quotes

      Danny: [waving the gig promoter contract] Have you read this? It's bloody feudal.

    • Alternate versions
      US version lacks the ending with Kate in an asylum.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 100 Greatest Musicals (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      One More Time
      Sung by Victi Silva (as Victy Silva)

    User reviews25

    Review
    Top review
    One of the best kept secrets in British cinema history. A classic.
    Breaking Glass is an excellent movie which has suffered from neglect and wholly inaccurate political associations. This movie was written and made in 1978 and 1979 and released in 1980. Therefore it couldn't possibly be: "A truly excellent portrayal of 80s Britain".Nor does it depict life in: "Thatcher's Britain".

    In fact Breaking Glass depicts Callaghan's Britain, which was characterised by a deplorable catalogue of industrial disputes, strikes, high unemployment, and collapsing public services during the winter of 1978-9, dubbed the 'Winter of Discontent'.

    What this movie is, is one of the best kept secrets in British cinema history. And although Hazel O'Connor enjoys second billing to Phil Daniels who had just done Quadrophenia to great acclaim, she is one of the greatest talents we've ever produced. Indeed, Hazel shines as the real star throughout, possibly drawing on her own personal experiences growing up in Coventry following the break-up of her parent's marriage, which lead to her running away to Europe at the age of 16.

    I saw this film in the cinema the week it was released in the UK and I was stunned by both Hazel's singing and acting talent as well as that of the saxophonist superbly played (and dubbed) by Jonathan Pryce. That solo is a classic all on its own. Every feeling I felt at the time whilst watching this stark portrayal of human nature and the workings of the music industry has stayed with me until today.

    In many ways Breaking Glass suffers from being too current. All stories of social history work best when set in the past. Quadrophenia worked because it spoke of a previous period of disruptive British history - 20 years in the past. Also, there was already an undercurrent of opposition to Thatcher, but the country the Conservatives inherited from Labour on 4th May 1979 was a wreck. So it was perhaps convenient for some to use it as a metaphor for the greed and excess that was in fact still yet to come.

    See this movie and enjoy it for what it is: a landmark in British Cinema history and a brilliant one-off performance from everyone involved. And catch Hazel on the net, where she sells much of her music, and live on stage where she's still gigging.
    helpful•28
    4
    • grahamellison
    • Apr 5, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La rockera
    • Filming locations
      • Camden Palace, Camden High Street, Camden, London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Allied Stars Ltd.
      • Film and General Productions
      • Sprint N.V.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,471
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,471
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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