Metal: A Headbanger's Journey

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Metal: A Headbanger's Journey

R

2005

1h 36m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Filmmaker and anthropologist Sam Dunn investigates the origins and subculture surrounding heavy metal, tracing the genre's roots from 1970s post-industrial England to its 1980s pop crossover to its modern-day variants in Norwegian black metal. Told from the perspective of a devoted fan, Dunn balances his insider's view with interviews with some of metal's most influential artists -- including Alice Cooper, Bruce Dickinson and Rob Zombie -- as well as enthusiastic acolytes.

Critics Consensus

Made by a metalhead, this documentary of the musical genre both informs and entertains with its range of interviewees.

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Erin Meister

Boston Globe

The metal scene emerges throughout the documentary as the recruitment center of an army of misfits, where the outcasts of the world can seek each other out based on their love of the angsty, eardrum-destroying tunes their parents warned them about.

Rated: 2.5/4

May 12, 2006

Full Review

Matt McNally

BBC.com

Enjoyable whether you're a fan of the music or not.

Rated: 3/5

May 6, 2006

Full Review

Will Lawrence

Empire Magazine

A documentary that preaches to the converted if ever there was one, but Dunn's enthusiasm for the subject and the range of pretension and humour of his interviewees makes for fun viewing.

Rated: 3/5

May 6, 2006

Full Review

Kathy Fennessy

Seattle Film Blog

Lifelong headbanger [Sam] Dunn, along with Jessica Joy Wise and Scot McFadyen (Ginger Snaps), paint what may be the most comprehensive portrait of metal yet.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 23, 2024

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Brings on a variety of eloquent voices from both the fanbase and the gods of metal themselves.

Rated: B

Oct 20, 2007

Full Review

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 20, 2007

Full Review

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Chinu D

Its a greatest movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/24

Full Review

Munkhchimeg T

Legendary movie about metalica. Much impressed and felt high

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/04/24

Full Review

Geke g

It was wonderful journey to watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/03/24

Full Review

Bulgantamir B

The dress looks stylish and expensive. Nice

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

Full Review

Munkhjargal A

In addition to highlighting his own views, this filmmaker also offers an insider's perspective from a devoted fan's perspective through interviews with metal's most influential artists and inspiring colleagues.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

Full Review

Bahad j

This idea of the film shooting technique director made the film more attractive to people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/24

Full Review

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Sam Dunn

Director

Scot McFadyen

Director

Jessica Joy Wise

Director

Sam Dunn

Writer

Scot McFadyen

Writer

Jessica Joy Wise

Writer

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Synopsis

Filmmaker and anthropologist Sam Dunn investigates the origins and subculture surrounding heavy metal, tracing the genre's roots from 1970s post-industrial England to its 1980s pop crossover to its modern-day variants in Norwegian black metal. Told from the perspective of a devoted fan, Dunn balances his insider's view with interviews with some of metal's most influential artists -- including Alice Cooper, Bruce Dickinson and Rob Zombie -- as well as enthusiastic acolytes.

Director: Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen, Jessica Joy Wise
Producer: Scot McFadyen, Sam Dunn
Screenwriter: Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen, Jessica Joy Wise
Rating: R (Some Nudity|Sexual Content|Language|Violent Images)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 25, 2017
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR