Let's be realistic.

just watch it!

Just so...so bad

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

This DVD will keep you intrigued all the way through. It's a comprehensive look at the 80s Casual scene. It's not just for the casual but for anyone interested in street fashion and culture. You will also see the impact on what this fashion has had on today's high street fashion. Includes a look at today's youth who have adopted the Mod / Casual look. Interviews with some of the label brands of the time. The extras are just as good with a running time of 75 minutes. The main feature also runs for 75 minutes. There are features that an original 80s casual might not be aware of, a casual outfit in a museum, a casual band that played at Stamford Bridge. Well worth it.

From an outsider looking in you would find it impossible to believe that this was the very first attempt at producing a Film/documentary by Cass Pennant.I was personally surprised as it was excellent! Not that I'd underestimate anybody but to make the transition from writing into publishing and now film is quite an achievement.The Casuals era probably never has been thoroughly understood by the public but for those who actually take the time out to watch this film and read the books, they can actually recognise that it wasn't all about violence. It was a unique time and a fashionable culture.In fact, the clothing is a very big part of the Casuals period. The guys involved were very competitive when it came to staying one step ahead in terms of the latest designer gear. Lads from all over the country loved to be seen wearing the most contemporary garments.The film is incredibly insightful and at times very humorous. It's not just a great debut film but an all-round excellent documentary. The hours of research that went into it, The writing, directing and narration have been meticulously achieved with military precision.A lot of people will enjoy this DVD as it is sure to evoke memories of the 70's and 80's but even for someone like myself who was born at the time, it is a very interesting subject and I'd recommend it to a variety of people from all walks of life as you are likely to learn something from it.

The nameless thing had different guises in different cities, Scallies, Perry Boys, Chaps, Herberts, Dressers, Lads....but it would be the term "Casual" that would become enshrined in folk lore to encapsulate the volatile mix of football, fighting, style and music that made up the emerging terrace culture. They were the last of the strutting sawdust Caesars, sharp minds and sharp clothes that turned the terraces into a catwalk.Cass Pennant and Mick Kelly have produced an exhilarating and extensive portrait of Britain's last great street cult, a largely ignored, misunderstood mass movement that kick started a menswear revolution and spawned a global culture.This film takes you on a journey through a hitherto unseen world of legendary shops and labels, pivotal moments, influences, rare trainers and classic clothes. Tales of daring do, mass shop lifting, taxing and jibbing are told by the grafters and trend setters who blagged their way around Europe following their teams and scouring out ever more elusive and exotic labels.Through an exhausting list of over 50 interviews, the northern and southern strands of the tale are entwined to weave an intricate picture of the cult's origins and the different regional influences and looks. The impact of the mod revival and the Gabicci chic of the reggae and soul fraternity in the south are covered admirably by Paolo Hewitt, Garry Bushel and Bob Morris amongst others, their insight demonstrates the immediate connection between the Casual and the Mod, an attention to detail, an obsession for style and a defined sense of one up man-ship.Back up North, narrator and contributor, Peter Hooton details the birth of a movement in late 70s Liverpool, a peculiar sub division of Bowie and Post Punk footie fans who wore straight Lois jeans, Fred Perry polo shirts, Slazenger v necks and Stan Smith or Samba trainers. This unique look was topped off by a Bowie/Bryan Ferry inspired haircut known as the "wedge" that would become the iconic casual hairstyle. Ian Hough, Tony Graham, Phil Thornton and Gio Goi supremo, Chris Donnelly are just some of the Mancs who lay open the myths of the city's Perry boys and a vibrant scene that would be key to the Madchester and rave era later in the decade.Industry insiders from Fila and Adidas as well as retailers, 80s Casual Classics give us an insight behind the labels and collectors open up their wardrobes to show off some mouth watering collections of classic casual cloth. The now legendary shops Wade -Smith's and Stuart's are both profiled, memories from the owners and customers shed light on these two icons of the era.The tale comes full circle as we see how casuals across the world look to Britain for its styles. A far cry from the days of Scousers liberating clothes from the continent and brighten up the drab high streets of the UKThe real beauty of the film though lies in the personal stories of casuals from Motherwell to Portsmouth... each has their own journey and take on what it meant for them being a casual. Rich tales of the "Lacoste Lefties" boycotting Burberry from Cardiff's Johnny Owens, Riaz Khan tells of finding acceptance at Leicester as an Asian casual while Bev Thompson gives an eloquent account of how being a casual gave her a sense of empowerment, acceptance and identity as a second generation black woman living in Britain. Awaydays are recounted by lads from Pompey to Leeds with an infectious tongue in cheek vigour that typifies the movement.This is a hidden social history that could so easily have been lost forever, if it were not for this fascinating and entertaining film. The DVD comes packed with over an hour of extra footage and interviews that chronicle, the lads, the look, the legacy and other tales and aspects of terrace culture but you still come away wanting more.This is a film not only for those that lived it but for anyone with an interest in fashion, popular culture, football or social commentary.

Having worked within the Fashion sector for many years I was more than curious when I heard of this documentary. So many documentaries, irrespective of the subject matter, fail to hold onto the viewer's attention for the entire duration. This, I am very happy to say, does not fall into that trap. It is extremely well portrayed and informative. The 75 minutes main feature flows effortlessly interjected with humour along the way. Rather surprisingly, the "extras" section run for the same length of time and are equally captivating. Many iconic brands appear throughout and were obviously satisfied that this was to be a very professionally shot feature to have agreed to take part in the first place. Well done to the Team that produced this and all I can add is "Watch it", you will not be disappointed.