Manchester 1976: Cambridge educated Tony Wilson, Granada TV presenter, is at a Sex Pistols gig. Totally inspired by this pivotal moment in music history, he and his friends set up a record label, Factory Records, signing first Joy Division (who go on to become New Order) then James and the Happy Mondays, who all become seminal artists of their time. What ensues is a tale of music, sex, drugs, larger-than-life characters, and the birth of one of the most famous dance clubs in the world, The Hacienda - a mecca for clubbers as famous as the likes of Studio 54. Graphically depicting the music and dance heritage of Manchester from the late 70's to the early 90's, this comedy documents the vibrancy that made Mad-chester the place in the world that you would most like to be.
Written by IGB
The exterior Hacienda scenes were faithfully shot at the correct location, i.e. the corner of Whitworth Street West and Albion Street in central Manchester. The Happy Mondays' video shoot scene with the children was shot at The Ritz, another nightclub on Whitworth Street West. The interior scenes for the Factory nights in the first half of the film were shot at Jilly's (formerly Rockworld), a nightclub around the corner on Oxford Road.
See more »
Goofs
Crew or equipment visible:
Crew members reflected in the door in the Ian Curtis's funeral.
See more »
Quotes
[first lines]
Tony Wilson:
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the latest craze sweeping the Pennines, and I've got to be honest, I'd rather be sweeping the Pennines right now. See more »