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An examination of the heavy metal music subculture that tries to explain why, despite the longevity and popularity of the genre, fans are marginalized and ridiculed for their passion.
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Title: Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005)
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1 win & 1 nomination.
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Cast
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| Tom Araya | ... | ||
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Gavin Baddeley | ... |
Himself
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Blasphemer | ... | |
| Randy Blythe | ... | ||
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Joe Bottiglieri | ... |
Himself
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Eric Bryan | ... |
Himself
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Jackie Chambers | ... |
Herself
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Monte Conner | ... |
Himself
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| Alice Cooper | ... | ||
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Denis 'Piggy' D'Amour | ... |
Himself
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| Pamela Des Barres | ... |
Herself
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| Bruce Dickinson | ... | ||
| Ronnie James Dio | ... | ||
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Malcolm Dome | ... | |
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Rose Dyson | ... |
Herself
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
Sam Dunn is a 30-year old anthropologist who wrote his graduate thesis on the plight of Guatemalan refugees. Recenly he has decided to study the plight of a different culture, one he has been a part of since he was a 12-year old: the culture of heavy metal. Sam sets out on a global journey to find out why this music has been consistently stereotyped, dismissed and condemned and yet is loved so passionately by its millions of fans. Along the way, Sam explores metals' obsession with some of life's most provacative subjects - sexuality, religion, violence and death - and discovers some things about the culture that even he can't defend. Shot on location in the UK, Germany, Norway, Canada and the US, this documentary is the first of its kind. It is both a defense of a long-misunderstood art form and a window for the outsider into the spectacle that is heavy metal. Written by Scot McFadyen
Taglines:
The Film That Will Take You Into the Heart of the Beast.Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for language, violent images, some nudity and sexual content | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Details
Official Sites:
Distributor's official website for private individuals | Distributor's official website for professionnals | See more »Country:
CanadaLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
21 June 2006 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Metal - A Headbanger's Journey See more »Filming Locations:
CanadaEdit
Box Office
Budget:
$1,300,000 (estimated)Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The 21 year sentence in Norway is called "life sentence", so the life sentence in Norway is 21 years. See more »Goofs
Dunn also mentions the "Filthy 15", a list of artists with lyrics considered obscene in one of a number of ways. Sam mentions that, of the 15, 8 are metal bands- he has miscounted. Upon reviewing the list, Danish black metal band Mercyful Fate make the list but bump the count to 9 bands. They are also not highlighted like the other metal bands sharing spots on the list. See more »Quotes
Robert Walser: Classical music is associated with university; with learning. Bach didn't go to college. Mozart didn't go to college. The virtuosic performers who were known as improvisers; that describes Bach as well as it describes Eddie Van Halen.See more »
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Opening with the age-old question of what was the first heavy metal song before launching into a metal head's history of the genre this fascinating documentary is a must. With interviews from rock greats like Lemmy, Tomy Iommi, Alice Cooper and Vince Neil to name but a few and concert footage of various heavy bands from Black Sabbath to Slipknot this is a sweaty, mosh pit inducing, bleeding ears look at what heavy metal music is and means to thousands of fans the world over. It is well made, surprisingly funny and brilliantly paced. There were moments in the film when the hairs on my neck stood up as memories were evoked by what I was watching. Seeing Rage Against the Machine performing killing in the name of and all the fans singing along reminded me of when I saw them fourteen years ago in room with no more than a hundred people. You can't beat the feeling of seeing a massive rock concert and the film manages to capture that feeling with the sights and sounds it is almost like you can smell the sweat. The makers also don't shy away from the controversy that has been levelled at the music over the years and delves into the various court cases and why so many believe it's the devils music. Overall it is a thoroughly engaging look at heavy metal and all that encompasses, made by a fan for fans but open to anyone, are you ready to rock?