Lemmy: The Movie
Damage Case Films & Distribution
At 64 years old, Motörhead frontman
Ian Fraser Kilmister has had a career
that most rockers could only dream
of. Known to most fans as Lemmy, the
iconic bassist and vocalist has a new
documentary chronicling his life, and
the intensely thorough film—which
clocks in at just under two hours—is
packed with stories and anecdotes from
the man himself, along with tributes
and recollections from some of rock
and metal’s biggest names. There’s more
than enough content to satisfy the biggest
of Motörhead fans, but that doesn’t
seem to be the demographic the film was made for. The documentary certainly caters to
the fans who helped make the band the legend it is today, but its biggest strength is how
well it informs the uninitiated of Lemmy’s indelible influence on rock ’n’ roll.
For instance, Lemmy is often credited with creating speed metal, but in most cases
that’s as much as people know (if even that). Thankfully,
Lemmy goes out of its way to
portray a man who, as Henry Rollins fondly recalls being told by the legend, “remembers
when there was no rock and roll.” The film’s retelling of stories from Lemmy’s early
years—including playing in the Rocking Vicars and Hawkwind, being a roadie for Jimi
Hendrix, and seeing the Beatles before they’d even put out an album—are not only great
snapshots of his storied life, but also highlight what a living treasure trove of musical history
he is. Not many musicians of Lemmy’s ilk are left, but the fact that he’s still writing
and touring heavily at this stage of his life proves just how powerful a drug rock can be.
The old line “Lemmy is God” seems to be the main message of “Lemmy,” and it’s hard
to argue with that statement after seeing the big picture here.