Release, runtime and language

1975 · 91 mins · English

Directed by

Richard Loncraine

Starring

Kenneth Colley, Tom Conti, Anthony Allen, Nigel Terry, Dave Hill, Michael Coles

In the cut‑throat 1970s North‑England music scene, four working‑class friends—Dave, Noddy, Jim and Don—form the rock band Flame. Their rise from rags to riches is portrayed with gritty realism, double‑dealing and dog‑eat‑dog ambition, illustrating the industry’s harsh golden rule: play with matches and you’ll get burned. The film tracks their ascent and eventual downfall, a darkly comic parody of the unforgiving music business.