Slade in Flame (1975) Richard Loncraine

Released in 1975 at the height of their fame, Wolverhampton band Slade decided that despite their joyous glam rock stylings, a fun playful knockaround film musical romp in the style of A Hard Day’s Night was not what they were looking for creatively.

And so with that in mind, the band decided to embark on Flame, a more sombre take on the music biz which confounded fan expectations when it originally hit cinemas.

In short, it’s a fictional film - but with very documentary stylings - as two rival bands end up in jail after an attempted sabotaging at one of their gigs. Soon after, they merge members to end up as Flame (Slade themselves) and after a talent scout drops them, they are picked up by a London agency run by Tom Conti’s sleazy manager.

A gig at a pirate radio station, a gunfire attack (!) and a hit record sees Flame court fame - all the while the film intersperses the odd track from the band’s album based on the film. Flame’s previous manager and Conti clash over the band’s income as the story attempts to deconstruct the seedy side of the industry.

And here is part of the problem. The scenes with Conti and discussions of contracts and band touring schedules and the like are incredibly tiresome. The band have a big personality and very little of this shines through. Mainly because they’re really not that in it as much as you’d think. And maybe this warts-and-all exploration was part of the plan - and certainly a bold move - but it’s all a bit pondering.

And sadly (for us Midlanders) Flame is filmed in Sheffield and London rather than around their West Midlands roots. (For fans, there’s a great list of locations at Reel Streets here).

On the positive side, the film displays the fractious UK class system at the time, with smoky industrial factories contrasted with rich record executive parties. At times conversations take place in overgrown bushes near a dirty canal and then in music offices with champagne. It’s not all glamour and glitz.

Also of note is the floating camera work reminiscent of many a documentary and 5 years before This Is Spinal Tap spoofed a similar style. Here though, the whole thing is all very straight and although lead singer Noddy Holder is a clear standout, it’s much more in the vein of Kes than it is Spiceworld!

Towards the end there’s a concert-style finale (hello Bo Rhap) and in hindsight, it is far more revealing of the difficulties within the music world than it has any right to be. For fans of the band it’s essential, and for general music fans it’s a fascinating time capsule. Yet the casual viewer may simply find it a tad boring and (nowadays) ridden with the cliches seen in many a music biopic.

However, it’s a unique dramatic portrait starring a band not known for their particular seriousness. And despite some failings, captures a time where the glamour of glam is ripped away to discover something far grittier.

3 / 5

★★★

Michael Sales

X @midlandsmovies

In celebration of the 50th anniversary Slade in Flame is getting a BFI Blu-ray/DVD release on 19 May 2025 with new extra features.