The Damned: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead is a 2015 American documentary film about the British rock band The Damned. It was directed by Wes Orshoski and premiered at the SXSW Film Festival.
Summary
The film is a mix of archival, interview and contemporary footage of The Damned and other musicians and fans.[1] The film discusses the rivalry between members Captain Sensible and Rat Scabies with their disagreement over unpaid royalties.[3]
Production
The film was directed by Wes Orshoski, who was also the film's producer, writer, cinematographer and editor.[2] It was the filmmaker's follow-up to his previous documentary Lemmy.[1] The Damned provided the music for the film.[2] The film was shot over a three-year period.[2]
Release
The film premiered at the SXSW Film Festival on 19 March 2015.[2] At the screening, The Damned's lead guitarist Captain Sensible shouted commentary in the auditorium whenever a moment or a former Damned member he did not like appeared in the film.[1] Damned frontman Dave Vanian did not attend the premiere.[4]
The film received its premier in the United Kingdom on 3 June at the Prince Charles Cinema.[3][5] Rat Scabies and Brian James were present for the London premiere of the film, where Scabies stated that he hopes the film will bring closure between himself and Captain Sensible.[3][5]
The film was released on Blu-ray (which also included the DVD) on 20 May 2016.
Reception
Variety gave the film a positive review, stating that even an audience unfamiliar with the group may find sufficient entertainment value in the documentary, noting "the Damned's unpredictability only endeared them further to a diehard fan base, and it makes this documentary all the more entertaining".[1]The Hollywood Reporter opined that the director "struggles to impose dramatic shape on a sprawling subject, but at least he finds an emotional hook in the decades-old rift between Sensible and Scabies"[3]
