Sid and Nancy (1986)

The relationship between Sid Vicious, bassist for British punk group Sex Pistols, and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen is portrayed.

Director:

Alex Cox

Writers:

Alex Cox (screenplay), Abbe Wool (screenplay)

Stars:

Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, David Hayman

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gary Oldman	...	Sid Vicious
Chloe Webb	...	Nancy Spungen
David Hayman	...	Malcolm
Debby Bishop	...	Phoebe
Andrew Schofield	...	John
Xander Berkeley	...	Bowery Snax
Perry Benson	...	Paul
Tony London	...	Steve
Sandy Baron	...	Hotelier - U.S.A.
Sy Richardson	...	Methadone Caseworker
Edward Tudor-Pole	...	Hotelier - U.K.
Biff Yeager	...	Detective
Courtney Love	...	Gretchen
Rusty Blitz	...	Reporter
John Spacely	...	Chelsea Resident

Storyline

Morbid biographical story of Sid Vicious, bassist with British punk group the Sex Pistols, and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. When the Sex Pistols break up after their fateful US tour, Vicious attempts a solo career while in the grip of heroin addiction. One morning, Nancy is found stabbed to death and Sid is arrested for her murder.

---

Plot Keywords:

vomiting | brandy | peppermint schnapps | self harm | character names as title | 

---

Taglines:

Love kills

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music | Romance

---

Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The real Sid Vicious was known for wearing a red t-shirt with a Nazi swastika symbol. For the purposes of the film, the t-shirt bares a Communist symbol.

---

Goofs

When Sid sings "My Way" and shoots the audience, you can see that the audience have fake blood packets in under their shirts and they are charges used to detonate when they are shot.

---

Quotes

Nancy: I hate my fuckin' life.
Sid: This is just a rough patch. Things'll be much better when we get to America, I promise.
Nancy: We're in America. We've been here a week. New York is in America, you fuck.

---

Crazy Credits

"And introducing the young Cat Vicious in the role of Smoky, Sid and Nancy's child."

---

Connections

Referenced in Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List (2015)

---

Soundtracks

Dum Dum Club
Written and Performed by Joe Strummer
© Joe Strummer 1986
Joe Strummer appears courtesy of CBS Records

User Reviews

Love Kills

This movie is not historically accurate. Let's get that out of the way right off the bat. This is not about the history of the Sex Pistols. Details don't matter, this movie is about feeling. Two misguided, deluded outcasts who are so completely, desperately in love, that they won't leave each other, even though they are probably the worst people in the world for each other. They spiral into heroin addiction, (which is NOT glamorized. Some of the scenes with them bunkered down in the Chelsea Hotel are downright disgusting) and one of them is killed, although no one knows how exactly how. Punks are usually the unsentimental type, so they tend to give this film the two-finger salute. Well, screw them. It is a beautiful film, which speaks more honestly about love and addiction than any Oscar-grabbing shite that I can find in the New Release section. Gary Oldman and and Chole Webb are excellent, inhabiting their characters right down to marrow. The era is evoked wonderfully, and the film is littered with gorgeous, iconic images, the best of which being Sid and Nancy kissing in an alleyway while garbage rains down on them from above like rice at a wedding. Also, most people ignore how FUNNY this movie is, despite it's heartbreaking subject matter. This is an enjoyable movie, not a punishment, or a slog through the mud. After seeing this movie, a friend of mine was so moved, she packed up everything she had and moved to London, where she lived on the streets for a year, trying to form a punk band. I'd recommend this movie to anyone, not just punks or Sex Pistols fans. It's appeal is much more universal than that. To me, this movie exemplifies my idea of true love. It isn't always pretty. It can drag you over glass, lead you to your grave, debase, humiliate, and destroy you. But it's a connection so strong that you can't deny it. And it's so beautiful that you really don't care if it kills you.

Details

Official Sites:

Alex Cox

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sid and Nancy

Filming Locations:

Oakland Court, Holland Park, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$50,829, 19 October 1986

Gross USA:

$2,826,523

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,850,707

Company Credits

Production Co:

Initial Pictures, U.K. Productions Entity, Zenith Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1