The Movie
“Pink Floyd The Wall” was released in 1982, three years after the release of the multifaceted album The Wall. Written by Roger Waters, directed by Alan Parker, and animated by Gerald Scarfe, “Pink Floyd The Wall” failed as a mainstream film but almost instantly gained success as a cult classic with its graphic illustration of the mental struggle of an emotionally isolated rock star, dually named, Pink Floyd. (Filipski.) Animation in the film pushed the ability of visual metaphors and depicted a vastly sensual environment through subtle messaging. Imagery in the film was as much dramatic as it was universal in its depiction of an album renowned for interpretive depth.
The New York Times dubbed the cult film as “pretty cosmic; employing almost no dialogue, it uses fantasies, animation and assorted psychedelic froufrou to flesh out a rock album more enthusiastically than any film has since ‘Tommy.’” (Maslin)
The entire film is available for free viewing via youtube, as well as readily downloadable from the Internet. (youtube.com) A simple google search of the movie will turn up many independent sites devoted to a deconstruction of the film, offering its personal interpretation among many. 25,000 votes cast on IMDB.com averaged out to almost 8 out 10 stars. (imdb.com) Rottentomatoes.com reported an average rating of 65% among ranging reviews, while the websites personal audience gave the film a more generous 88%. (rottentomatoes.com) The positive reviews are somewhat startling, considering the film’s lack of fame. However, we may conclude that the album’s film adaptation brought an incredible new and long-lasting effect The Wall franchise. As a cult-favorite, and derivative of the most famous psychedelic band, “Pink Floyd The Wall” will stand as several, or one very important, bricks in the foundation of The Wall.
The New York Times dubbed the cult film as “pretty cosmic; employing almost no dialogue, it uses fantasies, animation and assorted psychedelic froufrou to flesh out a rock album more enthusiastically than any film has since ‘Tommy.’” (Maslin)
The entire film is available for free viewing via youtube, as well as readily downloadable from the Internet. (youtube.com) A simple google search of the movie will turn up many independent sites devoted to a deconstruction of the film, offering its personal interpretation among many. 25,000 votes cast on IMDB.com averaged out to almost 8 out 10 stars. (imdb.com) Rottentomatoes.com reported an average rating of 65% among ranging reviews, while the websites personal audience gave the film a more generous 88%. (rottentomatoes.com) The positive reviews are somewhat startling, considering the film’s lack of fame. However, we may conclude that the album’s film adaptation brought an incredible new and long-lasting effect The Wall franchise. As a cult-favorite, and derivative of the most famous psychedelic band, “Pink Floyd The Wall” will stand as several, or one very important, bricks in the foundation of The Wall.
Sources/Links
Filipski, Kevin. "Adding Still More Bricks To "Pink Floyd The Wall." The New York Times. 2000. <http://za2uf4ps7f.search.serialssolutions.com.proxy2.cl.msu.edu/directLink?&atitle=Adding%20Still%20More%20Bricks%20To%20%27Pink%20Floyd%20The%20Wall%27&author=Kevin%20Filipski&issn=03624331&title=New%20York%20Times&volume=&issue=&date=20000102&spage=2.22&id=doi:&sid=ProQ_ss&genre=article&lang=en>
Internet Movie Database. "Pink Floyd The Wall." imdb.com. 2010. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084503/>
Maslin, Janet. "Images Flood 'Pink Floyd The Wall." The New York Times. 1982. <http://za2uf4ps7f.search.serialssolutions.com.proxy2.cl.msu.edu/directLink?&atitle=IMAGES%20FLOOD%20%27PINK%20FLOYD%3A%20THE%20WALL%27&author=MASLIN%2C%20JANET&issn=03624331&title=New%20York%20Times&volume=&issue=&date=19820806&spage=C.8&id=doi:&sid=ProQ_ss&genre=article&lang=en>
Parker, Alan. "Pink Floyd The Wall." Goldcrest Films International, 1982.
Pink Floyd. "The Wall." Electric & Musical Industries Ltd.1979
Rotten Tomatoes. "Pink Floyd - The Wall." rottentomatoes.com. 2010. <http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pink_floyd_the_wall/>
Youtube. "Pink Foyd - The Wall - Full Movie." youtube.com. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxNM7j_ppHI>
Internet Movie Database. "Pink Floyd The Wall." imdb.com. 2010. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084503/>
Maslin, Janet. "Images Flood 'Pink Floyd The Wall." The New York Times. 1982. <http://za2uf4ps7f.search.serialssolutions.com.proxy2.cl.msu.edu/directLink?&atitle=IMAGES%20FLOOD%20%27PINK%20FLOYD%3A%20THE%20WALL%27&author=MASLIN%2C%20JANET&issn=03624331&title=New%20York%20Times&volume=&issue=&date=19820806&spage=C.8&id=doi:&sid=ProQ_ss&genre=article&lang=en>
Parker, Alan. "Pink Floyd The Wall." Goldcrest Films International, 1982.
Pink Floyd. "The Wall." Electric & Musical Industries Ltd.1979
Rotten Tomatoes. "Pink Floyd - The Wall." rottentomatoes.com. 2010. <http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pink_floyd_the_wall/>
Youtube. "Pink Foyd - The Wall - Full Movie." youtube.com. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxNM7j_ppHI>
