Hung Up on a Dream: The Zombies Documentary

Filmmaker Robert Schwartzman brings audiences an inside look at the legendary rock band The Zombies. Their contributions to the 60's British Invasion and notoriety weren't fully realized until their entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame almost 50 years after their #1 chart topping single, "Time of the Season". An official selection at the SXSW Film & TV Festival in 2023, the film is now starting a theatrical tour across the country starting in New York, Los Angeles and other cities this spring. The illustrious music journalist Matt Pinfield joined Schwartzman and Colin Blunstone for an intimate Q&A panel after the film screening at the legendary Quad Cinema in Greenwich Village, NYC. The film showcases interviews with the original surviving members, Rod Argent, Colin Blunstone, Hugh Grundy, and Chris White with photos of archival footage of the late Paul Atkinson.

Hung Up on a Dream is a thoughtfully crafted documentary that weaves together a rich tapestry of archival photographs, vintage film footage, and rare audio recordings spanning more than five decades. Through this carefully curated collection, the film offers a vivid and immersive journey into the evolution of The Zombies, tracing their origins, rise to fame, and lasting influence on the music of the 1960s. Director Robert Schwartzman delivers more than just a nostalgic tribute-he creates a resonant and emotionally engaging portrait that honors the band's artistic achievements and enduring legacy. By blending intimate storytelling with historical context, Schwartzman succeeds in celebrating not only the music but also the spirit and innovation that defined a transformative era in rock history. The Zombies disbanded before they could witness the delayed acclaim of their seminal 1968 album Odessey and Oracle, highlighting the often-unforgiving nature of the business despite the brilliance of their work.

Hung Up on a Dream is more than just a documentary-it's a heartfelt homage to one of the most underrated yet influential bands of the British Invasion. With Robert Schwartzman's thoughtful direction and a treasure trove of archival material, the film not only chronicles The Zombies' journey, but also captures the enduring spirit and musical brilliance that finally earned them long-overdue recognition. For longtime fans and new listeners alike, this documentary is a moving, nostalgic reminder of the power of perseverance, artistry, and the timeless magic of rock 'n' roll.

Absolutely loved this documentary. The way the film tells the unique history of ups and downs The Zombies faced & how they are finally getting the recognition they should have gotten in the 60s. There were so many new aspects I learned about not only the band, but about Rod, Colin, Hugh, Chris, and Paul's solo careers following the break up of the band (which is so sad to see). I loved that this documentary just showcased each of the 4 remaining members, telling their story, and how they are still friends today. An absolute masterpiece! If you have a chance to go see this documentary, do it. You'll regret not seeing their story told.

I'm a big music fan, and when I was younger, I had formal piano lessons and was exposed to different genres of music-I'd listen to anything from Mozart to The Zombies. Though I only knew a few songs of the band, those songs I really loved. I was happy when I learned this music doc was screening in my city, and though it screened a bit of a later time than I'm used to normally when I watch movies at the cinemas, this one kept me glued to the big screen from start to finish. It's such an amazing story of an uber-talented band who really deserved more than they got, and their fascinating story was told magnificently through this doc directed by Robert Schwartzman, who turns out is a big fan of the band. He was the perfect choice for this project, given his background in music and film (though to this day he is still best known as Michael Moscovitz in "The Princess Diaries.") You could tell Robert truly put his passion for storytelling and musical expertise to put together this doc, and I think there should be an unwritten rule that music docs should be handled by artists who actually has a music career of their own. Hope it serves as an inspiration to aspiring bands out there.

This is a documentary of my favorite English rock band it tells you how they become friends how they formed in 1961 outside a pub How Rod asks Hugh to become the drummer for his new band how they recorded Odessey and Oracle how the Zombies disbanded in 1968 Paul joined the A&R records Hugh became a horse back rider Colin joined banking Rod formed Argent Chris co produced with Rod Hugh joined Paul later on later on The Zombies got inducted into The Rock and Roll hall of fame in 2019 to this day The Zombies are still touring today the documentary is released at 5:30 Pm in Austin Texas can't wait.

I could have sat there for hours longer enjoying more of director Robert Schwartzman's heartfelt documentary about The Zombies.

The documentary goes deep as The Zombies' tell their story in their own words, illustrated with previously unseen photos and clips. There are plenty of poignant moments, including their observations when they return to Abbey Road where they recorded their masterwork Odessey and Oracle during the summer of love and wonder, in time present, what would have happened had they been starving artists for just a bit longer.

Hung Up On A Dream is a warm, entertaining, informative movie (not only for fans of the band but connoisseurs of the British Invasion) by the end of which you will have fallen in love, or even more in love, with The Zombies.