Pistol

I almost didn't watch this. I was born in 1969 so I was a little kid during these years. But the music and punk movement endured into the 1980s so I was aware of it tho I didn't follow it. I just wasn't an angry teenager (tho I had reason to be) so it just didn't resonate with me, yet even then I knew something groundbreaking and important had happened. I learned so much watching this series. For starters I had no idea of the intersection of so many enduring greats that started out together at this time. Also? I learned a greater appreciation of punk than I've ever had before. The casting is perfect. The acting and directing and writing and production value are about as good and authentic as it gets. I was hooked early on and binge-watched it in one day. Now I'm sad it's over.

Overall I think this tv series is pretty great. While many people have been disappointed with the casting, I feel that the casting was pretty good and particularly think the actor who played Malcolm mclaren and John Lydon did a good job. It's very much a glamorised version of the sex pistols story with some fictional narrative but nonetheless I think it's pretty decent. One thing I would argue that isn't great is the ending. It's just kinda goofy and very much a romanticised ending which definitely didn't happen. I think I a deeper dive into character development would have also been good like with John lydon and Sid, I feel like they didn't get much of a back story. The soundtrack was also excellent.

As Episode 1 of "Pistol" (2022 release from the UK; 6 episodes of about 50 min each) opens, it is the early 70s and we are introduced to Steve Jones, who is hanging out at the Hammersmith Odeon and fancies himself the next Davie Bowie/Ziggy Stardust, while along the way stealing music gear. He is desperate to start a band with his mates but how? Then one day he is stealing clothes from a fashion store called SEX but is caught. Turns out the store is owned by a chap named Malcolm McLaren... At this point we are 10 min into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from noted British director Dany Boyle ("Trainspotting"). Here he brings to the screen the Steve Jones memoir "Lonely Boy: Tales From a Sex Pistol" (and reason why this series is NOT Johnny Rotten-focused--Rotten doesn't even appear in Episode 1 at all). If you think you know the story of the Sex Pistols, well, in all likelihood you don't really, and that is one of the reasons this makes it such a compelling series. The series has the Danny Boyle touch and feel all over, including clever editing, rich use of music (Hawkwind's "Silver Machine" shows up in Episode 1), and just a very visual approach to things. I must admit that the cast was unknown to me but they do quite well. At the end of Episode 2, we get the Sex Pistols' first 'real' gig, at the London Saint Martins College of Art, on November 5, 1975. (As a complete aside: Johnny Rotten, the nice guy that he is, sued the film makers AND his former band mates in 2021 (i) from having Johnny Rotten to appear at all in the series, and (ii) from featuring any Sex Pistols music in the series, even though the series is based on Steve Jones' memoir. Thankfully a British court laughed Rotten out of the courtroom.)

All 6 episodes of "Pistol" started streaming yesterday on Hulu, and so far I've see the first 2 episodes. I am "totally in" on this mini-series, and can't wait to see the 4 remaining episodes very soon. If you have any interest in rock history, or are simply a fan of Danny Boyle's work, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

UPDATE I've now seen all 6 episodes, and I've upgraded my rating from 7 to 8 stars. This mini-series is just fabulous. Watch the last episode when the Sex Pistols go on their disastrous US tour in early 1978. But the other thing I want to mention (not fully clear after watching the initial 2 episodes) is the major factor that was Chrissie Hynde (eventually starting The Pretenders) in all of this. She is featured prominently in all episodes. JUST WATCH.

Let's start with the elephant in the room.

John Lydon wasn't involved in this mini series which is a monumental missed opportunity. His exclusion depends on which story you believe - Disney & Boyle are adamant Lydon wanted no part of it. Lydon insists he was never asked and excluded from the outset. Either way, it's a shame.

However, for the most part, Pistol, which is based on Steve Jone's biography, is a triumph and captures the chaos, destruction, humour and self destruction of the destroyers of rock n roll.

Although focusing for the most part on Steve Jones, his damaged upbringing and his relationships, especially with Chrissie Hynde, Pistol brings to life the rebellious, anti-establishment, punk rock movement of 70's Britain.

In particular, Anson Boon as Rotten is superb with his acerbic barbs directed indiscriminately at anyone and everyone. And ironically, despite Lydons non-involvment in the series, the character is portrayed sensitively although I doubt Lydon will ever admit he likes it.

While acted brilliantly, Thomas Brodie-Sangster seems miss cast as McLaren, coming across more as a baby faced assassin rather than the weird and wacky provocateur. However, Sydney Chandler as Hynde is top drawer.

In music history, there have been a few occurrences of the 'perfect storm' where the music world has changed forever, Nirvana being one such example. But none more dramatic or explosive as the Pistols and Boyle's mini series captures much of the mood and madness, perfectly.

There is much deviation from actual events for presumably artistic reasons. And I'm sure Lydon will dispute much of Jones's recollection of events. But as an entertainment set-piece it all works surprisingly well.

Have been looking forward to watching this. I was 16 in '77 and The Pistols were a major force in forming the musical tastes that i still have today. 'Pistol' was not quite what i had expected, a mixture of fact and fiction and some mis cast actors let it down a little. However, if you weren't around when punk smashed its way into mid 70's youth culture, i would imagine you would enjoy this more than us that were around at the time and can find holes in the storyline. That said, it was fun to watch, was nice to see original news footage from the time mixed in and had a great soundtrack of assorted genres. A great little series that is worth a watch.