Brothers of the Head (2005)

In the 1970s a music promoter plucks Siamese twins from obscurity and grooms them into a freakish rock'n'roll act. A dark tale of sex, strangeness and rock music.

Directors:

Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe

Writers:

Brian Aldiss (novel), Tony Grisoni (screenplay)

Stars:

Luke Treadaway, Harry Treadaway, Jonathan Pryce

3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jonathan Pryce	...	Henry Couling
John Simm	...	Boatman
Ken Russell	...	Himself
James Greene	...	Brian Aldiss
Elizabeth Rider	...	Roberta Howe
Luke Wagner	...	Young Zak
Anna Nygh	...	Zak's Mum / Rita Bedderwick
Howard Attfield	...	Zak Bedderwick
Sean Harris	...	Nick Sidney
Edward Hogg	...	Chris Dervish (as Ed Hogg)
Bryan Dick	...	Paul Day - 1970's
Nicholas Millard	...	Tubs
David Kennedy	...	Paul Day - Present day
Ken Bones	...	Henry Couling
Jane Horrocks	...	Roberta Howe

Storyline

In the 1970s a music promoter plucks Siamese twins from obscurity and grooms them into a freakish rock'n'roll act. A dark tale of sex, strangeness and rock music.

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Plot Keywords:

gay kiss | threesome | homophobia | twin | siamese twins | 

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Taglines:

For some people... Rock & Roll was always a freak show.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, drug use and sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

IFC Films [United States] Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 2006 (UK)

Also Known As:

Até Que a Morte os Separe

Filming Locations:

Barningham Hall, Norfolk, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,794, 4 August 2006, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$44,978, 15 October 2006

Company Credits

Production Co:

Potboiler Productions,Blue Sky Films,EM Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debuts of brothers Harry Treadaway' and Luke Treadaway'.

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Quotes

Barry Howe: What are you writing about?
Laura Ashworth - 1970's: Well, you guys specifically.
Barry Howe: What about us?
Laura Ashworth - 1970's: Well, you know, you're kind of... you know, you're different. Young and exciting.
Barry Howe: Young, exciting, what else? Give me a- give me a third.
Laura Ashworth - 1970's: Listen, I'm actually writing an article about exploitation of the physically impaired.
Barry Howe: [long pause] Speak to Tubbs, he's got a dodgy ankle.

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Connections

References Tommy (1975)

User Reviews

Intriguing pseudo-rockumentary

I suppose that a film about co-joined twins who become punk rock stars in the mid-70's has to have something going for it and, indeed, this partially successful film did keep me gripped for most of the journey. As with most rock films, melodrama is the order of the day and this is no exception as the boys face physical abuse, drugs and rock star blow-out in the grand tradition of the likes of Hazel O'Connor in that other punk drama Breaking Glass.

There is much to like in this film including the stylised direction which veers away from the mockumentary format into more creative territory from time to time. There are some excellent ideas at play here; including scenes from an 'unfinished' Ken Russell film.

The problem is that this film is screaming out to be great little cult film but it never quite succeeds; perhaps its the lack of humour and the ease with which it lapses into cliché. Mostly though I think the tired 'mockumentary' format is what ultimately works against this film. Interesting and worthwhile but ultimately not the success it should and could have been.