Quadrophenia a Way of Life (Inside the Making of Britain's Greatest Youth Film)

It's nearly 35 years since the film Quadrophenia hit the world's cinema screens. Jimmy the Mod's search for identity against the backdrop of the May Bank Holiday riots of the 1960's, is regarded as the finest example of a British "youth" movie and a warmly remembered timepiece for a generation. Set against the backdrop of the Mods and Rockers riots of 1964, the film took its lead from The Who's classic rock opera of 1973. With a stellar cast including Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Toyah Wilcox and Police front man Sting, the film launched a whole generation of Britain's finest actors. Even in 2013, the word Quadrophenia still resonates as a buzzword for youthful exuberance and Modernist imagery. As the generation that first saw it now approach their fifties with teenagers of their own, Quadrophenia has become a glorious benchmark for their own youthful excesses, hopes, dreams and nostalgia. To critics, admirers and casual observers, it's intriguing: what makes a 30 plus year-old film like Quadrophenia still appealing? And similarly, why do people return to it time and time again? For the first time, QUADROPHENIA....A WAY OF LIFE explores the making of Britain's great cult film and its subsequent influence on popular culture. With interviews with principal cast members, director Franc Roddam, scriptwriter Martin Stellman and other involved in the creation of the film, this is the definitive account of Britain's greatest youth movie. Although most would credit Quadrophenia as a "Mod" film, it displays more of the fury of the late 1970's than 1960's post-war austerity. Nonetheless, this slightly surreal, timeless atmosphere the film exudes, adds to its charm. Ultimately, Mod and 1960's references aside, Quadrophenia is a classic "boy meets girl, loses girl" parable; a theme which is perennially identifiable with.