The Wall Movie: Good, Bad or Ugly?

Listening to the album, or watching the film, it’s impossible to avoid the ugliness of the main character, and the descent into even greater ugliness as the album/film progresses - leading ultimately to The Trial.

I love the album, and honestly, as much as I enjoy the film, I think the album far surpasses the film. But I do think the film does probably the best job that is possible of translating the album to film. And Scarfe’s animation is amazing and iconic.

The ugliness of the film even extended to the making of the film, which I believe Parker, Scarfe and Waters have all said was miserable and unpleasant.

I do think the album works better for those who are already acquainted with the album, although all I have is anecdotal evidence for this. Firstly, when we watched this in class at high school, where those who knew the album found the film easier to follow and analyse than those who didn’t; and then when watching it with my wife, who had never heard the album, and found the film hard to follow.

With this in mind, it’s tempting to say it’s a bad film, as it isn’t easy on the audience, if they go in without prior knowledge. But I don’t really believe that. There are plenty of films out there, which are highly acclaimed, but can be almost impenetrable and confusing the first time one watches them. But watch a second time, and everything clicks into place, and you realise how good the film really is, and why it is so acclaimed.

For some reason, though, people who watch The Wall and don’t get it, have no interest in watching it again. And this, I think, again goes back to its intrinsic ugliness. It is an in your face ugly experience, and those who don’t get it first time around probably don’t want to be brutally subjected to hammering ugliness a second time to try and understand it better.

Personally, I think it’s a good film, because of its ugliness. The way it can create such extreme reactions from those who watch it the first time is actually a pretty good indication that there is something very good lying there under the ugly surface. And the way it gives greater reward for those who do come back for seconds (having eaten their meat first, of course. How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat?) is also indicative of a good film.

I caught the movie twice in first-run movie house downtown upon its initial release...

Then another three (4?) times (usually with a pot-filled head) at second-run local theatre week-end midnight seance  during the early to mid-80's - as it became a regular feature along with Zep's TSRTS, Rocky Horror, Neil Young's Rust Never Sleeps , Quadrophenia, Tommy, Let It Be and other Beatles flicks, Woodstock, Monterey and plenty other rock movies. 

I bought the DVD some 15 years ago, but never viewed it in its entirety, but I was mostly interested in the bonus features, including the Hey You sequence that was fimed, but edited and not included in the original release.

Musically I prefer the studio album or even better the live Is There Anybody? to the movie, but it's clear that the movie adds a visual dimension that can't be surpassed.

Could I view it completely another time today? maybe, but I don't have the urge , especially knowing that some passages are difficult to watch now that I'm an old cumudgeon.