Rom Boys: 40 Years of Rad (2020) User Reviews

Interesting

[BandSAboutMovies · 7/10 · 24 October 2020]

Fifteen years in the making with archive material going back forty years, Rom Boys looks at one of the world's most unique skateparks, which is one of the only ones in the world to have official historic protection. This films does more than introduce you to the people who used the park, but shows you the rich influence that Rom had on their lives.

With more than 30 interviews with architects, historians, entrepreneurs, street and graffiti artists, professional skaters and BMX riders as well as the old school locals who have been visiting the park since it opened, this is a first-time look at a very influential space.

However, when the park suffers a major tragedy during the middle of filming, this film shifts from how these skaters and riders all come together to try and save the park from closure.

There are some astounding shots of the park as well as rich footage of the past. If you have any interest in BMX, skating, graffiti or the influence of these activities on our culture, this is a must watch.

Concrete never had so much personality

[mantastra · 10/10 · 13 October 2020]

Absolutely brilliant film about the most unique skatepark in the world. Having been someone who skated Rom in the 80's, 90's and again in the last few years this film stirred so many memories and reminded me just how much it has shaped my love of skateboarding. Beautifully filmed and edited, you don't need to be a local, you don't need to be a skater, or BMXer, to appreciate this and really understand that this place s more than just an expanse of worn concrete, its a community, a refuge, a place to escape and so important to the scene it supports.

"Going In" once more!

[msandrewsuk · 10/10 · 13 October 2020]

This film evoked so many memories of my early teens. Countless days spent travelling by train, packed into the guard's van alongside our bikes, with dozens of like-minded riders to the hallowed ROM Skatepark. The anticipation building as you rode up the hill until you caught a glimpse of it and seeing the queue snaking for what seemed like miles as the worry that you weren't going to get in crept into your head.

Luckily I was never turned away and shuffling through to pay John Snr the entrance fee (always buying at least one rub-on sticker) felt like a ticket to nirvana.

Going through the door and out into the park felt like coming home to where I could be part of a very special sub culture that non riders could never understand.

ROM is unique.

This film captures those feelings through the interviews with so many diverse characters and individuals that are featured. Many of them my peers (Billy Stupple was a legend).

Most of them are in their fifties but still have that glint in their eyes that never leaves you. ROM shaped so many of us and played a big part in who we are today.

It is wonderfully shot and produced and actually pulled me in so deep that I almost felt compelled to shout "going in" from the comfort of my sofa!

Culturally significant but more importantly absolutely genuine.

AN AMAZING LOOK AT A CULTURAL ICON

[andyruffell · 10/10 · 3 November 2020]

I admit I may be a little biased because I'm in it, but that aside, Matt has done an epic job of capturing the sprit of ROM Skatepark and the people that helped make it the most Famous Skatepark in the world! It's not just a well directed and edited journey thru time, its a monument to a place that has impacted millions of lives!

RADUMENTARY

[spencer-20521 · 10/10 · 13 October 2020]

Superb well crafted 4k telling the story of the one and only rom skatepark,steeped in subculture an urban myth to some ,,home to others ,,welcome to rom town Romford own little bit of California ,,sit back and let the rom boys take you on a journey into one of the worlds most unique heritage sites that still in operation to this day-skated it myself this morning --

Rom boys a triumph of a film

[trishafordham · 10/10 · 13 October 2020]

I was one of the lucky people who had the privilege of seeing the Rom boys film Premier at the The iconic Rom skatepark and was truly blown away. A true masterpiece from matt Harris. I also bought a online version to keep as a keepsake

Truly amazing.

[paulbyronwelch · 10/10 · 3 November 2020]

As a 12 year old kid finding my way in the universe Rom was a Mecca. This film throws you right back and continues to unravel why Rom is so important. Amazing journey back to roots of skate and Bmx in Uk. A must see

One to watch

[monkeyglove-196-494783 · 10/10 · 3 November 2020]

Wow great true story documenting 40 years of Rad where myself and lots of other people spent many a happy time. Rom skatepark will draw you in and remind you of your childhood and make you want to go back. Worth a watch even if your not into skateboarding or bmx. 5 stars

Sk8boardin is not a crime

[littlechris-90941 · 10/10 · 4 November 2020]

Well (heavy sigh) We all have a time in our Life's we can't remember, we always bury something in the past.... Total opposite memories come flooding back.. Pot noodles, playing 720, from meeting with friends, getting into arguments with Rob able lol.. Having lunch with Andy peerless First ollie over the spine.. Sugar bowl.. Dogs head.. Concrete half pipe.. Vert (fuxk that) The session (always done both) Jo guest having a photo shoot next door..

The bones brigade hahaha (wouldn't get out of the tour bus lol)

Meeting friends.. Telling jokes.. Being chased by dobermans.. What i have watched in this short time has had my hair standing up on my arms, goosebumps up my spine, and tears rolling down my face.. Extremely well shot, love to everyone and being totally humbled by being mentioned in the credits well wow...

A beautiful look at our pasts Simply stunning xx

Simply Awesome.

[hullycrew · 10/10 · 3 November 2020]

ROM 40 years of RAD is up there ! Any BMXer or Skater will love this. I've watched it twice in as many days... added to my library of best watches including ET, BMX Bandits and RAD.

Well done .

A love letter to concrete

[Bearded_Dev · 10/10 · 13 October 2020]

As a skater you fall in love with spots, you find beauty in utilitarian concrete, you view the world a bit differently. You adapt to enjoy architecture that isn't designed for you

Rom, isn't like that, it was built for a purpose, it was built for skate boarding. Luckily the designers still made it an absolute unforgiving slab of concrete to ride. I think its this that has lead to so many people falling for Rom. It holds a special place in so many peoples hearts.

This documentary introduces you to that affection, the users of the park through generations, tell their stories. Lost skin, scars a plenty, but under it all a deep love for the concrete. Rom has had some hard times over the years and this film does nothing to sugar coat that. It takes the watcher through a speckled history of UK skating through a single spot, a spot which for so many people means so much.

Amazing documentary

[simonsayer · 10/10 · 3 November 2020]

I love this film so much. Full of history and passion, it's a joy to watch. It's not a niche film accessible only to skaters. A quality piece of work, really enjoyable for anyone. A must see!

Epic Crust!

[hyupmv · 10/10 · 11 November 2020]

Perfectly tells a true story of one ancient East London skatepark and the misfits that once did, and still do frequent it. The history and the hardship actually brought a tear to the eye on more than one occasion. Best thing I've seen in a long time - fact.

Who knew, 1978 the start of a unique love affair

[adrianw-33990 · 10/10 · 15 November 2020]

A touching love story full of real characters with hard veneers and soft centres bound together by comraderie easily identifiable in all skaters. As unapologetically gritty as the parks surface, the characters bare their scars and stories. In other times the Rom would have been described as a temple where they all congregate on a Sunday to pay homage, giving people purpose and keeping some on the straight and narrow. There's a piece of all of us in those bowls.

Remember what it was like to have fun

[lucy-77762 · 10/10 · 13 November 2020]

The Rom Boys are still Skateboarding! Their love of the sport in their 40s 50s and 60s is a people story all of its own. Alongside the uniqueness of the place and family's coming along together to skateboard and BMX, this film captures that feel good factor about a generation that is still having fun and selflessly sharing it with young people today.

A well produced, nostalgic ride through UK skate and BMX history.

[josedevlin · 10/10 · 15 November 2020]

Great documentation of the past, present and hopefully future of my local skate park. I'm currently dusting off the old slime balls and hope to visit again soon with the kids.

An unassumingly cool film.

[ashleywaring-87326 · 10/10 · 8 December 2020]

This is a truly wonderful film! Underpinned with great case studies and characters, the film guides you through the story and history of the Rom skatepark. Told through the eyes of a group of lads who live and breath skating in the place they love, this film delivers on all levels. You don't have to be into skating to enjoy this film. It's beautifully shot and with consideration to it's subject matter leaves you feeling inspired. Hats off to all involved in the making of it! Ash

Full of passion

[defordrace · 10/10 · 3 November 2020]

An amazing film that captures the feeling and the lifestyle of artists, skateboarders and BMX bike riders with amazing accuracy.

Shows the importance of community

[toby-binstead · 10/10 · 11 November 2020]

I remember seeing Rom in RAD magazines when i was a kid and the place looked like a military testing ground - harsh concrete that only let the strong survive. This incredible film just shows how strong the community around Rom is, and its importance of bringing together people from all ages and different backgrounds. Skateboarding has always been a brotherhood to me, Rom shows how it wrapped its arms around not only skateboarding, but BMXing and graf artists and pulled them all together as one big family. Long live ROM.

More Than Just a Skate Doc

[jtmalone-38933 · 10/10 · 8 January 2021]

Like the very best sports documentaries (Senna, Hoop Dreams, Deep Water), Rom Boys goes well beyond the confines of a single sport and tells a bigger story - about tradition, community and holding on to what's most important. A great story, brilliantly shot and expertly told.

Nostalgic beauty

[m_gilz · 10/10 · 11 November 2020]

Superbly made, captures every feeling we've all had using this epic skatepark. Chocked me up a few times when the memories that came flooding back. Loved it A must watch.

From South Bank To Rom

[ufuniazi · 10/10 · 11 November 2020]

When I was a kid I migrated from the South Bank to Rom...it was around 1977/78. A friend of mine had become the park's resident professional and got us in free. From that point I didn't look back until the sad day it was closed by the then owners. I became a prominent member of the park team (I was known as "Little") and we represented the park in competition. The park was full on a daily basis and (for us serious skaters) unbearably packed at weekends. What people tried with skateboards there was 'rad' to say the least. Unless I'm sorely mistaken (I'm not) "light buld" and I were the first people to have thrown somersaults on skateboards out of the pool & the park manager seemed to find it hilarious telling me I wasn't managing to do "snap-back gnarlers" on the pool coping after about ten in a row. It was a vibrant place of freedom with ridiculous numbers of talented skaters. It was fun! I went back to South Bank briefly and brought my friends (the Americans Jeremy Henderson & John Sablosky) who were prominent on the English skateboarding scene at the time to the park...Jeremy got there and started throwing 6 foot aerials out of the "big" bowl (original park goers will know what I mean...the large bowl before the 6 foot of vert was cut right down in size!) and John was his usual classy self. But they noticed talent and went back to their teams...before you knew it Benjyboard was poaching park team members...that's how good they were. The entire thing is not completely as I remember it but then nothing is. Thanks to the film makers for a genuinely brilliant trip down memory lane...what a wonderful look at what is rightly a National Heritage Site.

Concrete dream

[flovalflyer · 10/10 · 3 November 2020]

When I was a kid Growing up on a council estate in Cumbria in the early 80's the BMX mags were full of pictures of my favourite BMXers riding Romford skatepark. I literally dreamed of riding that park for years. When I finally got down there many years later it was chucking it down with rain, but it was still a dream come true just to be there to see and feel it for myself. I love this film.

Brilliant.

[goodluckmonkey · 10/10 · 5 November 2020]

A superb insight into the history, and the people of Rom. Made me want to borrow my kid's bike and go skin my knees and elbows.

ROMtastic

[jwesty-82235 · 10/10 · 3 November 2020]

Absolute gem of a film. Brought back so many memories. Great to catch a glimpse of myself too. Even if you're not a skateboarder or BMXer? It's well worth a watch