The Commitments
Wednesday, March 31st, 2004
The Commitments is about the birth of a “soul” band in Northern Ireland. It is one of our all time favorite movies. The characters are wonderful, the music is fantastic (and really played, not lip synched) and the story is uplifting.
The Amazon link below is to a new edition of the DVD which went out of print. I have both the original DVD and the new one although have not watched the new one yet so I can’t tell you if it’s been changed or what extras it has on it.
The most amazing piece of trivia we found on the first DVD was that Andrew Strong, the lead male singer, was 16 when the movie was made. He looks an old 16. His voice will blow you away.
Director: Alan Parker
Richard,
Yes, Yes, Yes: The Committments is such a great film. I’ve seen it a few times, and I’ll definitely return to it again.
It’s Northern Dublin, in the fictional city of “Barrytown”. Which is primarily based on Kilbarrack.
Wow, interesting detail. Is that where you are?
Where is Andrew Strong now & is he still singing ?
As far as I know The Committments is/was stuggling in LA to make a sequel and Strong was trying for a part but I have no idea. Somehow to have that much fame at 16 seems a recipe for disaster if not handled well. Maybe they all ended up the way they did in the movie. Amusing thought actually.
I didn’t know Roddy Doyle wrote a sequel to The Commitments. I just read the book but have yet to finish the other two in the trilogy. I haven’t seen the movie but I hear good things
The Committments is fantastic: the music, the acting, the storyline, all are incredibly good. If you get the DVD get the new “deluxe” version as it’s got great extra stuff on it and it’s a longer cut of the movie. I think I’ll watch it again soon, thanks for reminding me how much I love it. Oh, Wilson Pickett’s passing also reminded me of how strong The Committments were/are.
The Commitments is my favorite movie of all time…just ahead of Amadeus, River Runs Through It, and To Kill a Mockingbird. Hard to beat…
David: Right, it’s a fantastic movie, great in so many ways.
The Commitments is a real great movie. I even visited Kilbarrack back in 1996. People there told me that i should check out this pub in town. I forgot the name though. Some guy at a gas station was kind and gave me a ride there. Does anybody know the name of the pub that was used as a location in the movie?
The last pub the group played at in the movie, the one where they were supposed to jam with Wilson Pickett, was Galagher’s (maybe a made up name).
Hmzzz, ok ok, couple minutes ago I buy this dvd from ebay, I see you talking about like it is great movie, now I need a little wait to get this dvd.
Gedas: It’s great. When you see it, turn it up loud!
heh, let’s say that was good 2 hours with music around ! good story, nice people, good music need find some soundtrack this movie, maybe you have something to suggest like this movie ?
Gedas, glad you liked it. There is a soundtrack and if you can’t find it let me know, I can help you out.
Are you now looking for other movies like The Commitments? I’m not sure I know of any, it’s in a class by itself.
Yes, I looking another like The Commitments, maybe need search in imdb.com
The Commitments is rare in that it’s a made up story but they actually made a real band and played real music and toured. I’m sure there are great movies about bands but the band itself doesn’t play like this one does.
Have you seen This is Spinal Tap? It’s not like The Commitments but it’s fun nonetheless.