The Filth and the Fury

Critics Consensus

The Filth and the Fury is a complete and completely unabashed look at The Sex Pistols, shot in suitably propulsive punk fashion.

Movie Info

The Filth and the Fury is an irreverent, shocking portrait of the most notorious rock group of all time. It documents the story of The Sex Pistols, charting their rise from the litter-stacked back-streets of '70s London through their crucifixion by the British tabloids, canonization by hundreds of thousands of fans around the world and ultimate implosion on tour in America. Myths are debunked, scores are settled and the words of the band are heard for the first time as they step once and for all away from the shadow of their one-time manager Malcolm McLaren.

Rating:

R (for pervasive strong language, drugs and sexual content)
Genre:

Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts
Directed By:

Julien Temple
In Theaters:

May 12, 2000 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Oct 10, 2000
Runtime:

108 minutes
Studio:

WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES

Watch it now

Cast

John

Sid Vicious

Paul Cook

Steve Jones

Glen Matlock

Sid Beverly

Malcolm McLaren

The Sex Pistols

John Lydon

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Critic Reviews for The Filth and the Fury

All Critics (40) | Top Critics (7) | DVD (2)

Best for older teens, especially Sex Pistols fans.

Dec 28, 2010 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
"The Filth and the Fury" is the first punk rock documentary to lay out, in an editorial style, a thorough linear account of the last major musical movement of the twentieth century by way of that genre's fiercest example.

Apr 13, 2009 | Rating: A+ | Full Review…

Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
Loaded with great music and classic Sex Pistols moments.

Jul 25, 2003 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
A stylish, and engrossing look at the brief punk error.

Apr 18, 2003 | Rating: 5/5

Dan Lybarger
Nitrate Online
Unlike most rock documentaries that rely on abundant concert imagery and studio outtakes, Filth is less concerned with the music than the setting that produced it.

Nov 12, 2002 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Jon Niccum
The Pitch
Temple's repetitive style grows tiresome.

Mar 8, 2002 | Rating: short | Full Review…

Chuck Rudolph
Matinee Magazine
A dazzling and challenging film, fully seizing the opportunity to make a documentary film burst with vitality.

Feb 7, 2002 | Rating: A | Full Review…

Jason Clark
Matinee Magazine
One can pay it no greater compliment than to say that it is worthy of its subject.

Mar 18, 2001 | Rating: 9/10 | Full Review…

Gary Mairs
culturevulture.net
Certainly engaging to watch and often compelling to ruminate on.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

View All Critic Reviews (40)

Audience Reviews for The Filth and the Fury

Aug 16, 2016

I saw it when it first came out and when I was more into The Sex Pistols. I remember really liking it--especially the way the interviews with the surviving Pistols as if their identities were anonymous. A must for any Pistols fan.

Michael G Super Reviewer
Aug 16, 2016

Interesting slice of punk rock history. Great stock footage of the Sex Pistols.

Wu C Super Reviewer
Nov 05, 2013

A flashy collage about the rise and fall of the sex pistols, the band that epitomized and nearly destroyed punk rock. Told in their own angry and uncompromising words.

Pierluigi P Super Reviewer
Jan 05, 2010

Ha ha! Another band movie so another poor rating from me? Not this time. Julien Temple does a very good job here of bringing the Sex Pistols to life. A burning bright light that blinded for such a short period of time but had a profound impact on the future.

John B Super Reviewer