MovieChat Forums > Joy Division (2008) Discussion > Which one should newbies watch first? C...

Which one should newbies watch first? Control or JD?

posted 16 years ago by oneironaut04
13 replies | jump to latest

I'm a big Joy Division fan and I've read just about every book and watched every film about them,and New Order of course. I was already very familiar with the story of JD/Factory/the Manchester scene in general, but the documentary in conjunction with Control, brought it all alive so brilliantly in such complementary ways and I was wondering which film a Joy Division noob should watch first.

Though Control was beautiful, I think the documentary gives a nice overview of the whole situation. Being based on Deborah Curtis's book, it gives a more intimate picture of Ian, and it might be hard for Yanks to tell what the basic setup of Manchester life was in the 70's. Also, it might be more interesting to compare the casting choices after seeing the real band members telling their stories.

On the other hand, a long documentary maybe isn't as likely to hook someone into something, so a more dramatic introduction like Anton Corbijn's beautiful film might be more "entertaining" than the doco. You can get a taste of the story, then fill in the gaps with JD.

Either way, you have to follow it up with NewOrderStory!

[–] gazjones01a 16 years ago

I would say watch Joy Division first, just for the fact, it puts the story into a chronological structure... Control while been a great film, changes events and when they happen.. small things like the band playing Transmission on there first appearence on TV when it was in fact Shadowplay... And Ian writing She's Lost Control with no knowledge that he himself had epilepsy.. in the film he has already had his first fit..

And your right it gives a better understanding of the state Britain was in, in the late 70s and why these people came together. Plus they will have a better understanding of how great Tony Wilson was... but then there is Twenty Four Hour party people for that!

[–] keeponwithbrian 16 years ago

Definitely see both, but I find 'JD' to be more essential because it is made up of interviews of the band members and other key people involved. Control is based on the novel by Ian's wife Deborah and there really is no insight into the band members. The band members themselves say that Ian was not this depressed serious individual all the time and Control seems to focus on him that way. The documentary is also fantastic because it tells the story of Manchester and 4 working class young men who became this great band. They aren't this pretentious arty goth thing that others like to think they are.

"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."

[–] GhidrahX3 16 years ago

I'd recommend "24 Hour Party People" first to help set the context for the band in time and place, not to mention a good history of Tony Wilson and Factory Records. Then I'd suggest you go to JD the documentary followed by "Control". As someone else mentioned definately check out "New Order Story".

All of the above do a great job giving glimpses into the band and are well worth your time. To gain an interesting insight into Ian Curtis read his wife's book, "Touching from a Distance" but also read his lyrics. Mainly, enjoy the music.

[–] paultagonist 16 years ago

I agree, I got kinda introduced to JD with 24 Hour Party People and have been entranced ever since. I saw both Control and (yesterday) Joy Division but, as always, I think the real closest-to-history account is better. Of course, that's taking for granted that a fan of JD would also enjoy such agreat documentary about them - and they didn't have to have a movie, with "plot" and "characters" etc., to be entertained.

Personally though, documentaries are my favorite kind of film-making, so I may be a bit biased.

The real trick to life is not to be in the know, but to be in the mystery. -Fred Alan Wolf

[–] Daftpfnk 16 years ago

I was disappointed with New Order Story, not a good source of info.

The Departed - Best Picture 2006
Martin Scorsese - Best Director 2006
There Is A God

[–] MagAmbersons 16 years ago

I agree the New Order Story was very disappointing. Fortunately, TWENTY FOUR HOUR PARTY PEOPLE, CONTROL and JOY DIVISION are all excellent and would recommend a noob watch them in that order.

[–] Daftpfnk 16 years ago

Yeah Twenty Four Hour Party People completely turned me on to factory records especially Joy Division in 2002. Thank you to Mr. Wilson (rip) and Mr. Winterbottom.

The Departed - Best Picture 2006
Martin Scorsese - Best Director 2006
There Is A God

[–] Fred1974 15 years ago

I totally agree with GhidraxX3.
"24 hour party people" is much easier to follow for a novice.

[–] Deadric 16 years ago

I would choose:

1st: Control & 24 hour party people
2nd: Joy Division

just because if you see the real doc first, you will have a base to compare and see all the diferences, so you'll, probably, feel that the fiction presentation are poor or badly guided.

if you see the first two fictions (not mater the order), you will imagine what it would be like exactly, you will wonder and dream of it, and then, you should see the real doc and accept it as if you were family.

that's how I see it.

JP

[–] obbie 15 years ago

Agree with the above. The stories in Control and 24HPP are engaging, then JD filled in the gaps.

I feel lucky to have such great coverage of what some may think is an obscure band.

[–] fripper 15 years ago

IMO Joy Division is a great documentary. Neither better nor worse than Control. That's why it doesn't really matter which one you are going to see first. One thing for sure, you MUST see them both.

[–] filterite 14 years ago

I read Touching From A Distance from which Control is based on and to be honest the whole idea of Control being a film didn't appeal to me. There were too many factors in my head, some I can't express in words and maybe it's churlish of me to think so but it did.

The documentary on the other hand, I would recommend more because it's a more authentic document ( which is the point of a documentary ) of the time that happened, and includes everyone from the band, the managers, the history etc. It's not just focussed around Ian Curtis and his wife and how Ian got epilepsy and then fell in love with someone else and then committed suicide. There's more to take in. And I guess I just don't like the idea that even though the film, Control ( something I refuse to see ), might be well acted, I still see it as a fabrication. A very well made, loving replication, but still a fabrication.

Anyone else think Sam Riley was cast as the wrong member of Joy Division too?

[–] Joseph-Stevenson 12 years ago

Well I'd always loved Joy Division and I'd heard a lot of stories from my father but I'd never delved too deep into the story. My dad lent me Control on Blu-Ray and I was astounded by Ian's story (I mean I knew about the death and epilepsy but that's it) then I read Touching From a Distance then watched Joy Division. I think if you're best off reading the most informative to the least. So, Touching From a Distance > Joy Division > Control. That way you can fill in the gaps if any of the latter miss anything out.

If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace.