Glastonbury The Movie (In Flashback) review

Mud simple

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With Glasto on a hiatus this year, those missing their annual mud-bath can dive into this cunningly timed re-release of Robin Mahoney’s 1995 doc.

Culled from the 1993 festival, featuring bands like Spiritualized and Porno For Pyros (remember them?), the film’s been digitally re-edited from scratch.

Not that much has changed: it’s still a frustratingly ramshackle ramble across the site, an impressionistic narration-free collage, soaking up sights, sounds (which, thanks to a new Dolby mix, sparkle) and smells.

“It’s just such a nice vibe,” says one reveller. “I haven’t really got much more to say.” Trouble is, neither has Mahoney’s film.

Freelance writer

James Mottram is a freelance film journalist, author of books that dive deep into films like Die Hard and Tenet, and a regular guest on the Total Film podcast. You'll find his writings on 12DOVE and Total Film, and in newspapers and magazines from across the world like The Times, The Independent, The i, Metro, The National, Marie Claire, and MindFood. 

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