Scoring a sizzling opening montage with The Clash’s ‘London Calling’ is just about the only obvious choice in Julien Temple’s scintillating study of the English capital.
Assembling a wealth of archive footage, Temple takes us from turn-of-the-century Imperialism via the Blitz and Swinging London to Thatcherism and the recent riots.
Provocative and poignant, energised by a terrific score and contributors ranging from Tony Benn to aged Hackney residents, it’s endlessly fascinating.
To paraphrase Samuel Johnson, if you tire of this film, then you’re tired of life.
