WHAM! 2023

imdb-logo 7.5 / 10

WHAM!

Through archival interviews and footage, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley relive the arc of their Wham! career, from 70s best buds to 80s pop icons.

Through archival interviews and footage, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley relive the arc of their Wham! career, from 70s best buds to 80s pop icons.

Videos & Photos

All 1 Videos & 10 Photos

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

User reviews

See All 1 Reviews

21 Jun 2023 by CinemaSerf

Using actuality from their relatively short career, this is quite an interesting documentary that illustrates the rise and fall of this duo of childhood friends that started off in a small bedroom in North London and ended up punching well beyond it's weight in the UK, USA and in China too. It uses running narratives from George Michael (aka "Yog") and Andrew Ridgeley and takes us on a colourful chronology of their rise to fame and has accessed a strong selection of archive to support that. It's not one of those films that's constantly interrupted by chats from opinionated music journalists, indeed even the likes of Elton John quote only briefly, and always within the contemporaneous context of the timeline. The two men deliver a commentary that is complimentary and generous to the other - I'd like to know when AR laid his track down, George having dies in 2016, just to see whether the former is a polite response to the latter, or genuinely what was felt at the time. There are plenty of occasions when you do look at the imagery and wonder just what did Ridgely actually do, but the tone of the film and the demeanour of the two together would suggest that, like in many a successful marriage - inspiration and support for one can come in a lower keyed but just as crucial contribution from the more "silent" partner. Also - he chose the skimpy shorts that helped make a star out of him and his nervous, camera-shy, friend! It also features a fair reflection of their rather more substantial back catalogue. I lived through the whole Wham-mania thing as a teenager but had forgotten much of what made them the phenomena that they became. It touches on wealth (or not), pressures, sexuality, angst - but it doesn't jump the gun. It's about the band not the solo artist it spawned, so all of that is sort of left poised. Luckily for director Chris Smith he's got Alex Black as ferret-in-chief of the archive and there's enough new here to sustain an interest in two boys who lived the dream, set some trends, and shook the world - briefly! You don't need to be a Wham fan to enjoy this. It's quite an interesting look at societal issues and the music business in the early 1980s, too.

Directors:

Chris Smith

Release Date:

Jun 27, 2023 (United Kingdom,United States)

Run Time:

1hr 32`

MMPA Rating:

NR / PG-13

Original Language:

English

Production Countries:

United Kingdom,United States

Status:

Released

Related Movies To

WHAM!

Write Review

Found 1 reviews in total

21 Jun 2023 by CinemaSerf

Using actuality from their relatively short career, this is quite an interesting documentary that illustrates the rise and fall of this duo of childhood friends that started off in a small bedroom in North London and ended up punching well beyond it's weight in the UK, USA and in China too. It uses running narratives from George Michael (aka "Yog") and Andrew Ridgeley and takes us on a colourful chronology of their rise to fame and has accessed a strong selection of archive to support that. It's not one of those films that's constantly interrupted by chats from opinionated music journalists, indeed even the likes of Elton John quote only briefly, and always within the contemporaneous context of the timeline. The two men deliver a commentary that is complimentary and generous to the other - I'd like to know when AR laid his track down, George having dies in 2016, just to see whether the former is a polite response to the latter, or genuinely what was felt at the time. There are plenty of occasions when you do look at the imagery and wonder just what did Ridgely actually do, but the tone of the film and the demeanour of the two together would suggest that, like in many a successful marriage - inspiration and support for one can come in a lower keyed but just as crucial contribution from the more "silent" partner. Also - he chose the skimpy shorts that helped make a star out of him and his nervous, camera-shy, friend! It also features a fair reflection of their rather more substantial back catalogue. I lived through the whole Wham-mania thing as a teenager but had forgotten much of what made them the phenomena that they became. It touches on wealth (or not), pressures, sexuality, angst - but it doesn't jump the gun. It's about the band not the solo artist it spawned, so all of that is sort of left poised. Luckily for director Chris Smith he's got Alex Black as ferret-in-chief of the archive and there's enough new here to sustain an interest in two boys who lived the dream, set some trends, and shook the world - briefly! You don't need to be a Wham fan to enjoy this. It's quite an interesting look at societal issues and the music business in the early 1980s, too.

Cast & Crew of

WHAM!

Directors & Credit Writers

... Director

Cast

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive photos)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

... Self (archive footage)

Produced By

... Producer

... Producer

... Executive Producer

Videos & Photos of

WHAM!

Videos ( 1)

Photos ( 10 )

Related Movies To

WHAM!

Found 12 Movies in total

poster-The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl
The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl (2025)

0 /10

In honor of “The Lion King's” 30th Anniversary, the Hollywood Bowl transforms into the Pride Lands for an immersive concert event. This music event celebrates the franchise's evolution, from the 1994 animated film to the Tony Award-winning musical, and the 2019 and 2024 live-action films, honoring the music and characters that made it a global phenomenon.

Run Time: 1hr 8` . MMPA: PG . Release: 06 Feb 2025

Director: Paul Dugdale

Producer: Dominic Vedder , Gabe Turner , Ryan McGee

Stars: Jennifer Hudson , Nathan Lane , Jeremy Irons , Ernie Sabella , Billy Eichner , Jason Weaver

poster-USA: Life in a High Security Prison
USA: Life in a High Security Prison (2019)

0 /10

In the United States, there are more than 2 million people behind bars. That's more than anywhere else in the world. The Anamosa State Penitentiary, granted us exceptional, round-the-clock access. Here, three quarters of the prisoners have been convicted of violent crimes and serve an average of 27 years. How is the prison managed?

Run Time: 57` . MMPA: . Release: 05 Jun 2019

Director: Gaelle Schweller

Producer:

Stars:

poster-Who Is Luigi Mangione?
Who Is Luigi Mangione? (2025)

0 /10

Writings and social media posts help to reveal the secret life and troubles of Luigi Mangione, the man accused of the brazen murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and whom so many people are calling a hero.

Run Time: 42` . MMPA: . Release: 17 Feb 2025

Director: Rhonda Schwartz , Brian Ross

Producer: Peter Lindgren , Brian Ross , Rich Esposito

Stars: Luigi Mangione , Brian Thompson , Dan Abrams , Philip Klein , Kelly Wirtz , Joseph Kenny

poster-Katt Williams: Woke Foke
Katt Williams: Woke Foke (2024)

0 /10

Comedian Katt Williams lets loose in real time as he hits the stage for Netflix's second livestreamed stand-up event.

Run Time: 1hr . MMPA: R . Release: 04 May 2024

Director: Troy Miller

Producer:

Stars: Katt Williams

poster-Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation
Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation (2024)

0 /10

When thrill-seeker Cricket tricks his family into taking a "road trip" in space, chaos in the cosmos quickly ensues. Despite growing frustrations between Cricket and his dad, Bill, the two must learn to appreciate each other's unique perspectives in order to prevent Big City from being destroyed by an interstellar disaster.

Run Time: 1hr 22` . MMPA: PG . Release: 06 Jun 2024

Director: Anna O'Brian

Producer: Mike Coughlin , Michael Coughlin , Abigail Swoap

Stars: Chris Houghton , Artemis Pebdani , Marieve Herington , Bob Joles , Zeno Robinson , Wendi McLendon-Covey

poster-Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts (2022)

8 /10

An enchanting making-of story told through all-new in-depth interviews and cast conversations, inviting fans on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time.

Run Time: 1hr 43` . MMPA: PG-13 . Release: 01 Jan 2022

Director: Giorgio Testi , Joe Pearlman , Casey Patterson

Producer: Marisa Clifford , Dan Sacks , Carol Donovan

Stars: Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson , Bonnie Wright , Matthew Lewis , Tom Felton

poster-Terrifier 2: Behind the Scenes
Terrifier 2: Behind the Scenes (2022)

0 /10

The making of "Terrifier 2" (2022)

Run Time: 43` . MMPA: NR . Release: 27 Dec 2022

Director:

Producer:

Stars: Damien Leone , Lauren LaVera , David Howard Thornton , Elliott Fullam , Sarah Voigt , Kailey Hyman

poster-Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever
Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever (2025)

0 /10

In this documentary, wealthy entrepreneur Bryan Johnson puts his body and fortune on the line to defy aging and extend his life beyond all known limits.

Run Time: 1hr 28` . MMPA: PG-13 . Release: 01 Jan 2025

Director: Chris Smith

Producer: Sydney Schwartz , Ashlee Vance , Stacy Smith

Stars: Bryan Johnson , Mac Davis

poster-Above Majestic
Above Majestic (2018)

5.9 /10

A look at the origins, history and conspiracies behind the "Majestic 12", a clandestine group of military and corporate figureheads charged with reverse-engineering extraterrestrial technology.

Run Time: 2hr 13` . MMPA: NR . Release: 30 Oct 2018

Director: Roger R. Richards

Producer: Brandon Graham , Jim Martin , Jordan Sather

Stars: John DeSouza , Laura Magdelene Eisenhower , Corey Goode , Michael Salla , Jordan Sather , William Tompkins

poster-X-Rated 2: The Greatest Adult Stars of All-Time
X-Rated 2: The Greatest Adult Stars of All-Time (2016)

6 /10

Documentary sequel that offers a close-up look into the personal lives of the legendary porn stars who've survived the test of time and influenced popular culture. Blends rare interviews with erotic clips and additional appearances by Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Soderbergh and a host of adult stars, directors and trendsetters.

Run Time: 1hr 35` . MMPA: R . Release: 28 Oct 2016

Director: Eli Cross

Producer: Windy Nites , Paul Fishbein , Eric Mittleman

Stars: Mr. Skin , Alana Cruise , Nadia Jay , Leigh Raven , Chad White , Ron Jeremy

poster-Stand
Stand (2023)

0 /10

Raw and unflinching examination of the courageous life of basketball star and social justice activist Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Born Chris Jackson, he overcame tremendous adversity to reach the NBA and found his true calling when he converted to Islam. His decision not to stand for the national anthem, however, turned him from prodigy to pariah. Told candidly by Abdul-Rauf himself more than 20 years later it’s the remarkable story of one man who kept the faith and paved the way for a social justice movement.

Run Time: 1hr 47` . MMPA: . Release: 03 Feb 2023

Director: Joslyn Rose Lyons

Producer: Mason Gordon , Sarah Allen , David P. Kelly

Stars: Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf , Shaquille O'Neal , Ice Cube , Olden Polynice , Stephen Curry , Steve Kerr

poster-Oh! What a Lovely War
Oh! What a Lovely War (1969)

7 /10

The working-class Smiths change their initially sunny views on World War I after the three boys of the family witness the harsh reality of trench warfare.

Run Time: 2hr 18` . MMPA: G . Release: 10 Mar 1969

Director: Richard Attenborough

Producer: Bryan Coates , John Comfort , Mac Davidson

Stars: Laurence Olivier , Vanessa Redgrave , Maggie Smith , John Mills , Corin Redgrave , Maurice Roëves