Marc Bolan / T. Rex (December 15, 1972) – “Born To Boogie” Film Review - Daily Mirror
This brief and exceptionally hostile Daily Mirror review takes aim at Born To Boogie, the Marc Bolan and T. Rex film produced and directed by Ringo Starr. Rather than celebrating the intensity of Bolanmania captured on screen, the reviewer dismisses the film as overwhelming pop hysteria and attacks both its volume and Starr’s comic appearances.
Publication: Daily Mirror
Date: December 15, 1972
Country: United Kingdom
The review focuses on Born To Boogie, giving the film a U certificate and an Oscar One rating. From the outset, the assessment is firmly negative, with the reviewer describing the film as essentially an extended burst of organised pop hysteria centred on Marc Bolan and T. Rex.
The clipping identifies Ringo Starr as both producer and director and notes Starr’s appearances within the film. The reviewer is particularly dismissive of those sequences, describing Starr’s attempts at comedy as unsuccessful.
Despite the criticism, the review confirms the substantial amount of music contained within the film, stating that fourteen Marc Bolan songs are featured.
This musical content forms the centre of Born To Boogie, but the reviewer regards the sheer volume and intensity of the presentation as a weakness rather than an attraction.
To emphasise the complaint about the sound, the article makes a deliberately exaggerated comparison, suggesting that a listener could recreate the experience by sitting inside a galvanised dustbin while several people hammered on its exterior.
The final verdict is equally severe. The reviewer characterises the film as a relentless wall of noise and suggests that only an extremely young or undiscerning viewer might find entertainment in it.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The clipping provides a striking example of the negative critical reaction that could accompany Marc Bolan’s enormous popularity during 1972. The very qualities that attracted T. Rex fans, including screaming audiences, overwhelming excitement and a performance centred on Bolan, are used by the reviewer as reasons to reject the film.
The article nevertheless records several important elements of Born To Boogie: Marc Bolan and T. Rex are the principal attraction, Ringo Starr is credited as producer and director, and the film contains fourteen Marc Bolan songs.
Rather than offering a detailed analysis of individual performances, the review concentrates overwhelmingly on the atmosphere of Bolanmania and the volume of the soundtrack.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Review of Born To Boogie
Era: 1972 Bolanmania era
Tone: Highly critical and dismissive
Photography: No photograph appears within the supplied review clipping
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• A strongly negative Daily Mirror review of Born To Boogie
• Marc Bolan and T. Rex identified as the stars of the film
• Ringo Starr credited as producer and director
• Confirmation that the film features fourteen Marc Bolan songs
• The reviewer attacking the volume and atmosphere of the film
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