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The Death of Brian Jones
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After all of the recent publicity, hype and
money spent on promoting Stephen Woolley's directorial debut,
Stoned the movie is finally coming to a cinema near you, or is
it…….
The film goes on general release today
(18th November 2005) but unless you live in one of the few
selected cities listed on the Stoned official website
www.stonedthemovie.com it might just be a long trek to get
to see the movie.
We've started this new forum to allow
cinema-goers who get to see the film to share their comments and
opinions on Messer's Woolley, Purvis and Wade's interpretations
of the event's in the days, months and years leading up to the
death of Brian Jones late into the evening of the 2nd July 1969.
But please don't just limit your comments to the script alone,
the acting, music and atmosphere of the film are also important
and we'd all appreciate your comments on these aspects of the
film. So, if you've seen the film at one of the many previews or
now it's on general, if limited release, please let us know your
thoughts.
On the Stoned official website there is no
mention of the film being screened in cinema's outside of the
UK, whether there is an intention to release the film abroad is
not clear so until it comes out on DVD, visitors to our website
from outside of the UK might like to read your reviews. Whether
good or bad, your opinions and time taken in posting here are
appreciated and we thank you all. |
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Please note, the following comments are not
necessarily representative of the views of the Brian Jones Fan Club
Editorial Team but are reproduced here primarily to generate a forum for
discussion. No message reproduced below has been censored or altered in
any way from the original message received. We would appreciate you not
using language that might offend others.
Message 1 - Friday 18th November 2005
Rock star film to cause controversy (Thursday
November 17)
A controversial new film about the life and death
of Rolling Stone Brian Jones has premiered - and could land its makers
in court.
Jones was found dead in a swimming pool in 1969,
aged 27, and was initially thought to have died from a drink and drugs
overdose. But director Stephen
Woolley's film, Stoned, claims the guitarist was killed by his builder,
Frank Thorogood.
The version of events is based on the testimony of
two female witnesses who were at Jones's Sussex mansion on the night in
question. Thorogood died in 1993 but his daughter is now considering
legal action over the claims made in the film about her father.
Stephen Woolley said: "This is the truth as I know
it until someone can prove otherwise. I based everything I knew on the
testimony of people who were there. Frank's daughter has contacted me
wanting to know about the film. She hasn't seen it yet and I don't want
to discuss what she said to me."
But a film source said: "Frank Thorogood's daughter
is considering launching legal action because she is unhappy about the
content of the film and we are waiting to see what she will do."
The premiere at the Apollo cinema on Regent Street
in central London attracted a celebrity crowd, including Patsy Kensit,
Sadie Frost and her partner, Jackson Scott. It was attended by Leo
Gregory, 26, who plays Jones and 23-year-old Amelia Warner, ex-wife of
Colin Farrell, who plays Nurse Janet Lawson.
Lawson was there the night Jones died and has never spoken about what
she saw. But Woolley hired a private detective to track her down and
persuaded her to break her silence. The film is based on her testimony
and that of Jones's girlfriend, Anna Wohlin.
Woolley, producer of Scandal and The Crying Game,
spent 11 years researching the project.
Three people who did not attend the premiere were
surviving Stones, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Stoned
Cert 15
Peter Bradshaw
Friday November 18, 2005
The Guardian
Leo Gregory as Brian Jones in Stone.
Stephen Woolley makes a flawed but intriguing
directorial debut with one of the most celebrated secret histories in
British pop culture: the death of Brian Jones, founding member of the
Rolling Stones who drowned in his swimming pool just days after he left
the band by "mutual consent".
Stoned samples the little-acknowledged bitter
aftertaste to the 1960s: what happens when the party's over and who has
to clear the mess up. Brian Jones (Leo Gregory) is a languid exile from
his own creation, whiling away the bucolic days in a beautiful house
once owned by AA Milne: shagging, boozing, brooding and generally
gathering moss. The rest of the band have their eyes on the prize,
grinding away in the studio, wondering if Brian will turn up, or if
there are any legal grounds to sack him. Brian's only friend is his
builder Frank Thorogood (Paddy Considine).
Frank is enviously fascinated by his employer's
lifestyle; Brian enjoys tormenting him and, as in Losey's The Servant,
their relationship comes to a fateful crisis. Interestingly, Mick (Luke
de Woolfson) and Keith (Ben Whishaw) are minor characters who show cool
business acumen in dismissing Jones. The characterisation is a little
broad, but Stoned is always watchable and conveys a strong flavour of
the 1960s' sour rock.
Miss U.
Message 2 - Friday 18th November 2005
Another article:
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/story.asp?j=188176980&p=y88y77795&n=188177866
Miss U.
Message 3 - Saturday 19th November 2005
Loved the film - the 60s music, fashions etc were
great and the general atmosphere and Brian was well acted and looked
like him. Obviously it's only the writer's opinion of what actually
happened but it was a great film.
Sue
Message 4 - Monday 21st November 2005
At one point, Rochester wearily defines life as "a
listless trickle of 'why should I?'s". That certainly describes the
latter days of Brian Jones, as evoked in Stoned, the directing debut of
British producer Stephen Woolley. Jones's own neo-libertine style might
be described as Regency buck laced with R&B - Beau Diddley, if you will.
Stoned is part biopic, part lip-smacking evocation
of Sixties dolce vita, and part mystery story, revolving around Jones's
death in his swimming pool. Written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade,
Stoned could have been most effective as the study of a seemingly
homoerotic folie à deux between the star and his builder Frank Thorogood
(Paddy Considine). The scenes between the two men contain the film's
dramatic meat, heavily echoing the dynamics both of The Servant and of
Performance, in which, it's widely supposed, Mick Jagger was really
playing Jones all along.
Instead, the film shoots off all over the place,
with Woolley indulging his taste for lavish period montages - Melody
Maker covers, 16mm solarised freak-out footage, Kenneth Anger pastiches
full of whips, tits and Aleister Crowley posters. The acting is mixed to
say the least. On the plus side, Considine is taut as piano wire, David
Morrissey is bullishly rasping as a Stones fixer, and Amelia Warner does
the perfect Sixties good-girl voice, still carrying archaic residues of
Celia Johnson. On the minus side, Monet Mazur is a ludicrous cod-Garbo
version of Anita Pallenberg.
And personably effete though Leo Gregory's Brian is
at first, he's increasingly hard to take seriously. It's partly because
he's too given to demonic sneers, partly because he looks so unlike
Jones's tarnished choirboy: a beefy bloke in a haystack wig, he's more
like a Slade roadie helping out with the panto.
There's little evidence either of Jones's talent:
he comes across mainly as a petulant stay-at-home with a taste for dodgy
pierrot shirts, Little Lord Fauntleroy with a couple of Robert Johnson
78s under his arm. If only Stoned weren't so relentlessly tabloidy;
Woolley has produced one or two sophisticated films in his time, but
here he seems terribly in thrall to the frisson of a spliff and a flash
of miniskirted Euro-thigh.
j.romney@ independent.co.uk
Miss U.
Message 5 - Monday 21st November 2005
One good thing about Stoned is that people who knew
nothing about Brian Jones will try to find out more about him. I didn´t
like the way Brian was portrayed (apart from in the first scene) but I
think Leo Gregory was doing his best with the script. Woolley saw Brian
as the character in Performance and/or in the Servant and well...
I liked Amelia Warner as Janet, Paddy Considine as
Frank and David Morrisey as Keylock.
Somehow Stoned made me feel a bit sick – too much
of everything. The sinister-looking statue of Christopher Robin
overlooking the pool, Brian stoned on drugs or booze here and there and
everywhere, the strange goings-on between Frank and Brian, Keylock
taking care of everything, Mick and Keith looking ever so innocent.
And I do not think it happened that way – Frank
getting angry and accidentally killing Brian. The whole film was weird
with the fast flashing backwards and forward and the subtle hinting at
this and that. A quick flash of Keylock, Fitzgerald and Cadbury hiding
by the pool, Janet saying something about a woman's revenge, Brian
coming back from the dead thanking Keylock for making him into a martyr
saying that if it wasn't for him he would be alive and nobody would
care. All the people gathering around the pool – his fans? Brian saying
to Frank: “You think I'm paranoid don't you. Keylock likes people to
think I'm paranoid, but I'm not.”
Frank seeing the falling star…
Leo Gregory had this to say in an interview on a
welsh website:
"On the one hand, it was enjoyable, learning about
this amazing man, and learning about such a fantastic era," he muses.
"But at the same time, there's that added responsibility-stroke-pressure
that you're playing a real person, and the Brian Jones fan club is very
much alive and kicking.
“My first kind of loyalty, I guess, was to Stephen
- it's been his baby for such a long time. But there are people around
still who knew Brian, and there are family members.
“So it wasn't entirely this big freedom of
expression - there was a sense of getting it right.
"At the same time, there's nothing more annoying
that watching a bunch of people impersonating famous people. So it's
more about the essence and the spirit of the person." "There were
certainly things I loved about him," he says. "He was immensely talented
and creative.
"On the one hand, he could be the most affable,
loveable, charismatic peacock, but in the blink of an eye he could
become the biggest s*** you'd come across. He'd take great delight in
ripping you to pieces.
"Ultimately, I'm not going to say I love everything
about the man, but yes, he was a great guy, and quite misunderstood -
possibly by himself more than anyone else. I don't think he knew why he
did the things he did, or their repercussions."
Gregory puts a lot of Jones's problems down to an
unloving, unstable childhood.
"He wasn't nurtured in a way that parenting skills
allow now - we're talking about the '50s," he says.
"It was very stiff-upper-lip, seen and not heard;
you spoke only when you were spoken to. A character like Brian needed
all the time and care and extra love, which wasn't typical of the '50s."
Eva
Message 6 - Monday 21st November 2005
Wooley interview:
http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=1130
Miss U.
Message 7 - Tuesday 22nd November 2005
Stephen Wooley has certainly done his research on
this film. Though some of the music selections were a tad predictable,
the set pieces particularly the Marrakesh sequences evoked a deeply
moving 'fly on the wall' atmosphere, at times more akin to a documentary
than a standard 'biopic'. Overall, the film simply upheld my long held
belief that Brian was thrown to the lions, rather than be shown a bit of
patience & understanding. What a bunch of cunts kicking him out of the
band, this simply was not necessary. one of the 'stones' were/are saints
after all. I liked the last shot of Brian laughing in his coffin, apart
from 'let it bleed' all their post sixties / Brian records have been
shit.
Graeme
Message 8 - Tuesday 22nd November 2005
Saw the film Stoned last night.
Congratulations Woolley, Purvis and wade, you did a
great job! Guess I've read just about every book and article on Mr
Jones, kind of like l knew him, l certainly do now.
A brilliant film. Thanks.
Robbie Boulton
Message 9 - Tuesday 22nd November 2005
Well, what can I say! We have just been to see the
film and there was only two other people in to watch. Everyone else
seemed to be watching Harry Potter. ( Well we know that is all fiction).
Stoned was better than we thought it might be, but I still feel it's
part fiction. Brian isn't here to speak up for him self and I've said
before people can say what they like about the dead.
Perhaps that's why Mick and Keith come out of it
smelling of roses. They might have sued.
The other thing that got me was, what was wrong
with Leo's eyes? The way he was looking at people I thought for a minute
I was watching the Exorcist. Brian had lovely eyes that made him look
shy, not mad.
Ann
Message 10 - Tuesday 22nd November 2005
I was an extra in this film and even though my part
was cut, i still really enjoyed the film. Only being 17years old i
didn't really know much about Brian Jones but this movie was just great
on letting me know sort of thing. I personally thought it was really
good and no matter how bad people say about it, with it not having a
proper promoter or anything and things to do with the budget, l still
think that the film was just really good - I like the soundtrack too.
The part l filmed was on the day that they filmed
the part where Brian is on top of a diving board in his uniform with a
guitar towards the end of the film where it kept flickering between a
few things during the bees version of 'not fade away' l think it was.
They filmed that the morning l was there though unfortunately they cut
the part l was part of. I thought they'd keep it in because it was Brian
at school winning a swimming competition and l thought that what would
have been quite good to have in the film to show his swimming abilities
etc
Clive Elkington
Message 11 - Wednesday 23rd November 2005
I forgot to mention in my post yesterday. After
watching the film Stoned. If Brian was so out of it how could he have
composed the film score for (A DEGREE Of MURDER)? He could obviously
work with Jimmy Page and Kenny Jones. The film Stoned, didn't show much
of Brian getting off the drugs and working in the music room with people
like John Lennon, Jimmy Hendrix and others. After all wasn't Steve
Marriot going for an interview for the new group on the 3rd July, the
day of Brian's death? Correct me if this is the wrong info.
Ann
Message 12 - Sunday 11th December 2005
I love the new website look Trevor, it is
fantastic!! You did a very outstanding job, and obviously a lot of hard
work!!
According to what I have read the movie will not be
released in the US until early next year. I really appreciate the
thoughts and views on the movie so I can get an idea of what it will be
like when I see it. So please keep up the reviews!
Thanks again for the great look and look forward to
being in this remarkable and wonderful club for a long, long time!!
Linda
Message 13 - Wednesday 21st December 2005
Anyone know if there will be an American release of
Stoned? Or when it will be available on DVD?
Gerard Rinaldi
Message 14 - Thursday 22nd December 2005
Stoned – Various Artists (Music from the film
about the life and death of Brian Jones)
For those of you who don’t know (and shame on you
if you don’t) Brain Jones was the founding member of The Rolling Stones,
a gifted guitarist with a stunning vision and more than a little flair.
His life epitomised the 60's era, a hedonistic
cocktail of sex, drugs, booze and rock n roll that ultimately led to his
demise at the early age of 27. His death was surrounded in mystery and
speculation, his body was discovered at the deep end of his pool and he
was declared drowned by misadventure under the influence of drugs and
drink, however ever since then there’s been rumours of foul play with
many suggesting his death was a that of murder. Director and producer
Stephen Woolley has spent many years investigating the circumstances
culminating in his production of Stoned, a movie telling the rise and
fall of Brian Jones.
Now I’ve not seen the movie myself, but I’ve read a
number of reviews and a good many of those have been less than
complimentary about the movie, however no one can fault the soundtrack.
The CD is a compilation of inspired Stones interpretations, some classic
60s nostalgia and a smattering of incidental music courtesy of the
acclaimed soundtrack composer David Arnold.
The album opens with the Counterfeit Stones running
through the blues classic Little Red Rooster and it’s almost as if
you’re listening to Brian, Keith, Jagger, etc, it’s a note perfect
rendition that sets the tone for the album. The Bees follow with the
first of a four offerings from them, Stop Breaking Down shows the group
to be perhaps the natural successors to The Stones, it’s a brilliant
bluesy rock rendition with superb musicianship and heartfelt vocals.
From there we’re served up a trio of sixties classics, the always
welcome Lazy Sunday by The Small Faces, the drug fuelled paranoia fest
of Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit and the unequalled Paper Sun by
Traffic, whilst each of the trio are playing your mind is instantly
creating the film.
The 22-20s didn’t impress me much when I saw them
support Supergrass but there muscular version of Devil In Me is spot on
a real tour de force and highlight of the soundtrack. Hayley Glennie-Smith,
a name I’m not familiar with offers up a couple of beautiful acoustic
Stones covers, Love In Vain particularly impressive (and far superior to
the Paul Butler and Little Barrie version which is also included here).
David Arnold’s offerings are dark orchestral numbers that set a menacing
tone reminding the dark subject matter of the movie. The Bees are back
with a stunning Not Fade Away and a gorgeous laid back version of Time
Is On My Side before Robert Johnson closes things with Stop Breakin’
Down Blues a fitting finale by another ill fated blues legend.
Stoned is a joy to listen to from start to finish,
it serves the era well and is also a fantastic testament to the legend
of Brian Jones and The Rolling Stones, it’s certainly whetted my
appetite for the film but even if it is as bad as the reviews have
stated the soundtrack stands proudly on it’s own.
Reviewer: Will Munn
http://www.newsworcs.co.uk/rhythmandbooze/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=848
Message 15 - Thursday 22nd December 2005
Anyone know if there will be an American release of Stoned? Or when it
will be available on DVD?
Gerard Rinaldi
Message 16 - Sunday 1st January 2006
If you go to Yahoo.com, click "Movies", click "Coming Soon", you will
see Stoned is listed in the right hand column with an opening date of
March 17, 2006.
Helen
Message 17 - Thursday 26th January 2006
Two months after Brian's death one of the shaken Walker Brothers
confessed to Brian's buddy Mr. Hatrell in a pub that he'd been at a
party at Brian's house on the evening he died. But he left earlier 'as
the horseplay got too rough'.
On the other hand carpet fitter Dave Gibson states that up until half
past eleven in the evening he and his mates were alone with Brian at
Cotchford farm. the house was dark and Brian had lit the light for them.
This implies that directly after their departure this party should have
started, somehow out of the blue and with 'about ten to twelve people'
around.
It sounds not logical to me. Mary Hallett denies the shouting and
speeding of cars at ten o'clock, as written in the Rawlings book. So one
could imagine that she also didn't hear incoming cars for this party,
because indeed...there was no party?
Among all the loose ends in the full picture of Brian's death these two
facts strike me as odd.
Kind regards
Paul Spendel
Message 18 - Tuesday 31st January 2006
in March Stoned will be released in the US and it will be available on
dvd in the UK.
Paola
Message 19 - Friday 3rd February 2006
If, indeed, Cotchford farm was a crime site on July 2nd 1969, it's
interesting to look into the improvised press conference Keylock gave at
the gates. The place was swarmed with photographers, and at least one of
them is the photographer who captured the pile of clothes (Brian's?)
beside Keylock.
I know that the Daily Mirror was present at Cotchford farm the morning
after and they happen to hold an impressive archive of pictures. up
until today. I did some research and my guess is one of these
photographers was present at that time: Vic Crawshaw, Kent Gravin or
Peter Stone.
I don't know their whereabouts nowadays, but they must have kept all the
negatives, as almost all the professional guys do out of habit. In a
(hopefully) new inquiry these negatives could possibly give more insight
in details and leads. I mean: maybe there are more specific photos of
the pile of clothes and so on.
It's almost forensic photographing, but then the morning after. Maybe it
can help. It wouldn't be the first time the press helped solve a case.
Kind regards,
Paul
Message 20 - Friday 10th February 2006
In answer to Paul, I hope those negative do come out. There is really
something strange about this whole incident. Everyone is trying to keep
things hushed up and in doing so it creates even more suspicion about
what happened that night. If Brian is buried 10 feet below the ground,
in a sealed bronze and steel casket, is there a sealed concrete vault
enclosing the casket? If there is one, the remains should be in
pristine(?) condition maybe? I am sorry to be morbid, but have always
been curious about what this would mean. Sometimes I wonder if this was
preplanned by the construction workers and maybe others to treat BJ as
if he were expendable.
Saying it was just another druggie rock star who met his untimely
demise. But of course he was purposely(?) murdered. Brian was NOT
suicidal. Personally I believe the wrong person died in the pool.
Linda Zerr
Message 21 - Wednesday 15th February 2006
*** U.S. screening of Stoned ***
http://digitallyobsessed.com/showrelease.php3?ID=6245
From: Screen Media Films re: March 24 2006
http://www.stonedthemovie.com
http://www.screenmediafilms.net/stoned/stonedTrailer.mov
Before Jimi and Janis there was Brian....
Screen Media Films in association with Intandem Films are set to release
the biopic, Stoned, a film about Brian Jones, a founding member of The
Rolling Stones, on March 24th in select theaters nationwide.
March 24th: NYC - Los Angeles - San Francisco - Berkeley - Chicago
March 31st: San Diego - Seattle
April 7th: Minneapolis - Washington, DC
April 14th: Boston
April 28th: St. Louis - Atlanta
Brian Jones was the consummate artist, pop star, fashion icon &
womanizer. During the seven short years of his glittering rise to
stardom and fateful plummet between 1962 -1969 he became a music legend,
creating The Rolling Stones one of the greatest rock and roll bands
ever. Having reinvented the Blues, he nonchalantly turned his back on
the world of pop and found more pleasure in scoring movies and recording
ethnic music in Morocco.
This is not a film about one of The Rolling Stones - this is a murder
mystery about the death of one of the most talented musicians of the
60's who couldn't or wouldn't write pop songs. Brian Jones was more than
just "a Rolling Stone". He was their founding member in 1962. Jones
(played by Leo Gregory) was their leader, their visionary, their most
gifted musician His blond, ambiguous glamour and obvious talent inspired
enormous curiosity.
Brian was the face of the Sixties revolution, resplendent in the
sumptuous fabrics and furs, scarves, hats and jewelry with which he
fearlessly blurred the distinction between male and female
acceptability. A true pied piper of fashion, he daringly led and legions
followed. Just a few years later, at the age of 27, Jones was dead in
the deep end of his own swimming pool. Officially, he drowned by
misadventure under the influence of drink and drugs.
Director and Producer Stephen Woolley has spent the last 10 years
researching the events surrounding Brian's ill-fated dip on the night of
Wednesday July 2, 1969. In Stoned, Woolley charts the rise of the
intelligent Cheltenham teenager who excels in music and girls as
wholeheartedly as he resists the disciplines of his grammar school.
Moving to London at 19, Jones finds fame and fulfillment as he steers
The Rolling Stones to their first great musical successes, but it's a
short-lived happiness.
Re-creating the nightmare as it plummets out of control, with the
fragile but tempestuous and increasingly unpredictable Jones hounded by
the authorities, busted for drugs, embroiled in controversies and
indiscriminate sexual encounters, passionately, bizarrely and sometimes
violently besotted with his great love Anita Pallenberg (Monet Mazur),
who abandons him for Keith (Ben Whishaw), and finally fired by the band
he had formed and obsessively nurtured to their coming of age.
His final days are played out at Cotchford Farm, Jones' East Sussex
country retreat and the former home of Winnie the Pooh author AA Milne,
who Brian Jones revered. He shared his idyll with latest flame, Anna
Wohlin (Tuva Novotny). Still closely monitored by the Stones'
organization, who regarded him as a loose cannon, Brian decides to make
some home improvements and on the advice of his road manager Tom Keylock
(David Morrissey), he hires Frank Thorogood (Paddy Considine), to carry
out the work.
DIRECTOR: Stephen Woolley
PRODUCERS: Fionla Dwyer & Stephen Woolley
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Paul White, Gary Smith &
Andrew Brown
WRITERS: Neal Purvis & Robert Wade
PRINCIPLE CAST:
Leo Gregory as Brian Jones
Paddy Considine as Frank Thorogood
Monet Mazur as Anita Pallenberg
Tuva Novotny as Anna Wohlin
David Morrissey as Tom Keylock
Ben Whishaw as Keith Richards
Amelia Warner as Janet Lawson
Luke De Woolfson as Mick Jagger
James D. White as Charlie Watts
Josef Altin as Bill Wyman
Message 22 - Saturday 25th February 2006
Hi. could you please tell me if Stoned is being
shown in any cinemas in Lancashire or Birmingham, as my mom is/was a big
Brian Jones fan and would really love to watch it. Any help would be
appreciated.
Regards
Cheryl Broadway
Message 23 - Monday 27th February 2006
Cheryl - As far as we know there are no plans to
show Stoned on the big screen in the UK, but you might monitor the
official website at
http://www.stonedthemovie.co.uk/ for any news. I do have some news
on the DVD release which is posted below.
Trevor
Message 24 - Monday 27th February 2006
http://www.play.com/play247.asp?pa=pfa&page=title&r=R2&title=900908
 The
brilliant biopic, Stoned, directed by legendary British film maker
STEPHEN WOOLLEY (Backbeat, The Crying Game, Little Voice, Fever Pitch)
chronicles the turbulent life and mysterious death of Rolling Stones
guitarist and co-founder Brian Jones and is out to buy and rent on DVD
from 3rd April 2006, courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
With outstanding performances from a hot young
British cast including LEO GREGORY (Green Street) as Brian Jones, PADDY
CONSIDINE (Dead Man’s Shoes), DAVID MORRISSEY (Basic Instinct 2, Born
Romantic) and DAVID WALLIAMS (Little Britain). This critically acclaimed
film focuses on the relationship that developed between Jones and Frank
Thorogood, the building contractor hired to spruce up his dilapidated
country pile, in the final, fateful months of the musician's life before
sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll finally took its toll and he was found dead
at the bottom of his swimming pool.
With a superb soundtrack of '60s classics and
Stones covers from THE BEES, DAVID ARNOLD and THE SMALL FACES, Stoned
also features some great extras including deleted scenes, behind the
scenes footage and interviews with cast and crew.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
TITLE – STONED
Release Date – 3rd April 2006
Format – Retail DVD / Rental DVD
DVD RRP - £ 15.99
Certificate 15
Genre – Thriller / drama
Running Time – 94 minutes
DVD Extras
· Deleted scenes,
· Behind the scenes footage
· Interviews with cast and crew.
STONED DVD
our price: £11.99 Delivered
availability: Due for release on 03/04/2006
RRP: £15.99 You Save: £4.00 (25%)
Message 25 - Sunday 5th March 2006
I completely agree with Deb as far as contributing donations to help the
fan club, and helping continue the investigation into BJ's demise.
By the way speaking of the LARS forum, has anyone heard if the forum
will be starting up again? The messages I have tried to post have not
been approved yet, so maybe the Moderator (Gerry) could be out or ill or
whatever. I like the forum and site so I hope it will continue sometime
soon. Sorry to bring this up on here, but I was just concerned. Again
Deb is right, so let us all remember Brian Jones no matter how long he
has been gone, because the Stones sure don't care and the Rolling Stones
company doesn't either. Brian may not be here physically but his spirit
is here with us. I am sure he knows what is going on and how much his
fans love and appreciate him.
Linda Zerr
(Please see message 278 on the guestbook page - Webmaster)
Message 25 - Sunday 5th March 2006
Listed below are the theatres and dates when the new Brian Jones biopic
Stoned will be showing.
The movie will only be playing at Landmark Theatres across the country
beginning on Friday, March 24th, when it opens in New York City,
Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Berkley, California. The movie
will then continue to other cities across the country until the end of
April. Certain times and dates were not available on Landmark Theatres
official web site,
www.landmarktheatres.com, but if you keep checking back they will
probably add the times. You can also find more information about the new
movie on
www.stonedthemovie.com, and you can view a 2:47 movie trailer.
March 24
Berkley, CA - Landmark Act One & Two (510)
464-5980
2128 Center Street, just east of Shattuck
New York City - Sunshine Cinema (212) 330-8182
143 East Houston Street on lower East Side
Chicago - Landmark Century (773) 509-4949
2828 North Clark Street at Diversey
Los Angeles - Landmark NuArt (310) 281-8223
11272 Santa Monica Blvd, just west of the
405 Freeway
March 31
San Diego - Landmark's Ken Cinema
Seattle - Landmark Varsity Theater (206)
781-5755
4329 University Way N.E.
April 7
Washington, D.C. - Landmark E. Street.
April 14
Minneapolis - Landmark Lagoon
Boston - Landmark Kendell Street
April 28
St. Louis - Landmark Tivoli
Atlanta - Landmark Midtown Art
Rob Weingartner
Message 26 - Monday 20th March 2006
Article on Monet Mazur, who played Anita in Stoned:
http://comingsoon.net/news/indietopnews.php?id=13712
Miss U.
Message 27 - Wednesday 22nd March 2006
Interview with Wooley from the New York Press:
JONESIN’
Woolley’s Brian Jones story.
By Jennifer Merin
Stephen Woolley, renowned as the producer of Neil Jordan’s films, makes
his directorial debut with Stoned, about the life and mysterious death
of Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones who’d been exiled by the
band before he was found drowned in the swimming pool of his suburban
estate.
Woolley says he directed the feature because he’d researched for 10
years and knew more than anyone else about the subject.
“Frank Thorogood, who was reconstructing Brian’s house, gave a deathbed
confession in 1993 that he’d murdered Brian. The books on the subject
left a lot of questions unanswered—the writers hadn’t interviewed people
who’d been there that night. I found them, got their stories; some
contradicted the books, others gave details never told to the police. As
I found witnesses, our script changed,” says Woolley. “I drove the
writers (and co-producers, Robert Wade and Neal Purvis,) crazy — until
they said I’d better direct the film or it wouldn’t be made.”
MERIN: What intrigued you about Brian’s story?
WOOLLEY: Brian represented the Rolling Stones’ edge and
rebelliousness. He was charismatic, but unlike Janice Joplin and Jimi
Hendrix — who were Brian’s friends and died around the same time — Brian
isn’t legend. I wanted to know what happened and why.
Were you a Stones fan; Brian’s fan?
I was a poor kid living in Islington. We had a small kitchen, no fridge;
no car, no phone. London was still recovering from the blitz. My father
had fought in World War II. People say the ’60s were swinging — but just
for .0001 percent of the people. The rest were looking into this bubble
and watching Brian’s extravagance. Some wanted to be in the bubble, but
most wanted to destroy it. Most people in authority didn’t like what
Brian stood for — didn’t like guys with long hair prancing on stage,
making more money than they’d earn in a lifetime, having all the girls.
They’d fought a war and life was about re-establishing order. Brian’s
death probably wasn’t thoroughly investigated because the establishment
didn’t want to show Frank, the construction worker, as a murderer
because that would give too much sympathy to Brian, whom they wanted to
tear down.
Have the Stones seen Stoned?
I think Mick may have seen it. They’re aware of the film — they’re often
asked about it at press conferences. They basically pretend it doesn’t
exist.
Why didn’t you use Stones music?
I didn’t want to be disingenuous. I wasn’t making a film about Mick and
Keith — my film was about Brian. I used Robert Johnson and other music
that influenced Brian. But, the soundtrack certainly has echoes of the
Rolling Stones — although Brian wasn’t credited with writing their
songs. Not officially, anyway.
Miss U.
Message 28 - Sunday 26th March 2006
I REALLY LIKED THE FILM. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS IT PORTRAYED AN ACCURATE
BRIAN CIRCA 1967 AND PUT IT IN 1969..WHICH ISN'T TRUE. AND IN LIGHT OF
THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A MURDER BUT NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHY OR
WHO-DONE-IT, IT DOESN'T HELP ANY TO PERPETUATE THE STONES MYTH THAT
BRIAN WAS A DRUGGIE WHEN HE WAS FIRED AND THEN DIED. ABSOLUTELY
NONSENSE. BUT THE BRIAN CHARACTER IN THE MOVIE WAS BRIAN IN THE ERA WHEN
THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STONES REALLY DID FINALLY SOUR TO THE POINT OF
NO RETURN. ALL IN ALL IT'S GREAT TO SEE A BIG SCREEN BRIAN JONES CALLING
HIMSELF THE MANAGER OF THE ROLLING STONES...IT'S ABOUT TIME, AND IT'S A
BEAUTIFUL THING, OR MAYBE I'M JUST SO USED TO THE MEDIA LIES, VIA THE
STONES, THAT I'D BE GLAD TO SETTLE FOR THIS????
THE FAKE BREASTS ON THE ANITA CHARACTER THOUGH ARE JUST HORRIBLE.. HOW
COULD THEY???
ROXANNE FONTANA
Message 29 - Sunday 26th March 2006
Here's a review from filmcritic.com:
The Rolling Stones' founder Brian Jones' drowning death in 1969 is
another check mark in that long list of rock 'n' roll artists who died
early and in their prime. His legacy as a musical genius aside, Jones is
also remembered for his sartorial flamboyance and for his quintessential
rocker's lifestyle of drugs, booze, and sex, all in big gulps.
It's at the shit end of excess that we find Jones (Leo Gregory) in
Stephen Woolley's directorial debut, Stoned, which explores the rocker's
final days, after he's alienated himself from his band, leading up to
his mysterious drowning in the swimming pool of his country estate.
Officially, the death was ruled an accident, but loose ends linger off
the record, particularly with regard to Jones's relationship with
Stones' manager, Tom Keylock (David Morrissey), and Frank Thorogood
(Paddy Considine), a builder contracted to remodel Jones's estate.
Woolley's movie runs on the notion that Thorogood was no mere
working-class lackey, but a mole of sorts, employed by the Stones
organization to keep daily tabs on Jones's erratic behavior.
To Frank, Jones is an exotic figure -- possessed of rare artistic
talent, unfettered in his pursuit of sexual, narcotic, and alcoholic
pleasures. Slowly, the humble builder's inhibitions chip away, replaced
by a deep desire to sample Jones's drugs, his women, to partake in his
creative process. On hand is Jones's current flame, Anna Wohlin (Tuva
Novotny), an enticing blonde, who drifts on and off the estate to cater
to Jones's needs, and stir Frank's pot now and again.
In Woolley's treatment, it's Jones's obsession with former girlfriend
Anita Pallenberg (Monet Mazur) more than anything that spirals him
deeper downward into self-destruction. Anita becomes something of a
litmus test for Jones: his adoration of her, complicated by his jealousy
after her dumping him for Keith Richards, clashed with his self-styled
notions of sexual liberation. Much of the couple's tensions play out in
a short holiday sequence set in Morocco in which Woolley and
cinematographer John Mathieson cleverly inject the drama with stark,
sunburned hues that offer no shade and no forgiveness.
Writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade juxtapose Frank's descent into
Jones's inner circle with flashback vignettes of the rocker's heady
days. As Jones and his bands' career takes off and orgiastic pleasures
abound, Woolley can't resist lensing all of it with psychedelic candy
colors, quick cuts, flash frames, laid over with '60s-flavored covers of
the rock and R&B tunes -- Robert Johnson and Jefferson Airplane, most
notably -- that Jones loved. Like all nostalgic riffs on '60s bohemia,
this smacks too hard of Midnight Cowboy and Blow-Up. Still, it's an
irresistibly fun effect, and, in a scene set in a packed Munich
auditorium as the Stones wind down a riotous gig, it's exhilarating to
take in the unhinged quality of the grainy stock and newsreel-like
camerawork.
Its sharp sense of style aside, what trips up Stoned is the fumbling
psychodrama between Frank and Jones. Woolley can't get inside Jones's
headspace to render a full-blooded characterization of the volatile man
behind the myth. Instead, he manages a series of hyper-stylized,
dramatically incoherent snapshots of Jones in interchangeable states of
anger, madness, and dissipation. That scattered approach to character
reduces Gregory to flouncing around in a dressing gown, simpering
vacantly, and leaves Considine's Frank to suffer a similar fate. Without
a compelling Jones, Frank's fixation on him, tinged with class
resentments and latent homoeroticism, never parses out neatly; his
self-loathing confuses more than frightens. Ultimately, any sense of
tragedy following Frank and Jones's wet, grim finale feels painfully
false, even amidst the surging music that Woolley floods the sequence
with. As the credits roll, we find we've drowned in Woolley's pool long
before Jones has.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Another review:
Trite Rabbit: Predictable Psychotronic Pseudo-Biopic Stoned
by Jessica Winter - March 21st, 2006 1:35 PM
Animated waxworks: Monet Mazur and Gregory
Stoned
Directed by Stephen Woolley
Screen Media, opens March 24, Landmark Sunshine
Construction foreman Frank Thorogood allegedly admitted on his deathbed
to the murder of Rolling Stones founding fop Brian Jones, and Stoned,
the first feature directed by veteran British producer Stephen Woolley,
takes this confession at face value, portraying the passive-aggressive
relationship between the smug, infantile dandy Jones (Leo Gregory) and
the uptight, working-class bloke Thorogood (Paddy Considine) as a "death
by misadventure" waiting to happen. Stoned stumbles upon any number of
possible themes—songwriting, performance, fame, addiction, class
conflict—and toddles distractedly away from all of them, its smothering
style an amalgam of the standardized pretensions of a turn-of-the-'70s
head movie (free-associative editing, an LSD trip scored to "White
Rabbit") and the stultifying conventions of the biopic (a BBC report
explains Jones's influence, Jones himself is prone to reciting
autobiographical flashback cues, etc.). The pointlessly jumbled
chronology suggests a film assembled at random, and the parade of miming
look-alikes (Mick & Keith, Anita Pallenberg) and dutifully restaged
anecdotes resembles an animated waxworks—the period upholstery is a
death shroud, while the lysergic flow of lurid color acts as embalming
fluid. The rock hero starts out dead and so does the movie.
Miss U.
Message 30 - Sunday 26th March 2006
I saw Stoned at the Nuart in West Los Angeles last night. Stephen
Woolley did a brief Q & A after the film. I was hoping to see a film
that would pay tribute to Brian Jones and his brilliance. The film
focused on Brian's sex life and to me depicted his involvement with the
Stones as just and extension of his hedonistic playground. I was hoping
that the film would be brave and expose Jagger, Richards and Oldham for
what they did to Brian. As far as my meeting my expectations, the filmed
failed. I whole heartedly resented the ghost appearance of Brian at the
end of the film thanking the Tom character. During the Q & A Woolley
made a few remarks about information that he had obtained and that the
authorities did not have. If this is true I think that the case
regarding Brian's death should be re-opened and Woolley should be
interviewed and forced to give over all info. Lastly, I wish the film
would have at least shown some real pictures of Brian during the
credits, at least, to show the audience unfamiliar with Brian Jones to
know how really beautiful and talented he was. Woolley could have shown
during the credits the musical contributions Brian made as a Rolling
Stone. I am a great fan of Brian Jones and the early Stones albums,
without Brian there never would have been a Rolling Stones.
M.Nunns
Message 31 - Thursday 30th March 2006
Saw the film, to be honest it was a load of rubbish.
Did Brian really beat Anna like he did in the film.
Did Anna and Brian really play sexual mind games with Frank.
It didn't say in Anna book about playing mind games with Frank.
Jason Seymour
Message 32 - Friday 31st March 2006
Greetings. I have not seen the film yet-it hasn't made it to Spokane, WA.
USA yet - but from what I've heard, it's about what I expected.
Sensational, shallow, narrow minded focus on negative aspects, ignoring
the Mick/Keith/Oldham lets-get-rid-of-Brian triumvirate, etc. I've been
a Brian fan since the beginning; I have 48 books on the Stones, 8
exclusively on Brian, and I've never, ever bought the "official" death
"story" by Keylock, Thorogood, Wohlin et.al. By the way, I thought
Wohlins' book a load of crap - continuing that same tired story. I'm
attempting to write my own book in the vein of Trevors relentless
pursuit of the real truth. Would gladly like to communicate with any and
all fans on this board and elsewhere. Long Live Brian!
Scott Brittain
Message 33 - Saturday 1st April 2006
Stoned was released in Cinemas on 18th November 2005. the dvd is now
being released 3rd April so that's the only way you can see it now.
Clive
Message 34 - Tuesday 4th April 2006
Has anyone heard the Stoned Soundtrack?
It features some great cover tracks of songs by Robert Johnson "Stop
Breaking Down", The Rolling Stones "Time is on My Side", "The Last
Time", "Not Fade Away", Sam Cooke's "Little Red Rooster" performed by
The Counterfeit Stones, and Kula Shaker performs a cover of Dylan's
'Ballad of a Thin Man.'
You should preview the soundtrack at the album's MySpace page for more
info; Keyword: Stoned
angiepg
Message 35 - Sunday 9th April 2006
I will join the justice for Brian donation. He was murdered. A man was
murdered and the murderer went free. There should be justice for Brian
and his family.
Cheryl B.
Message 36 - Thursday 13th April 2006
I have noticed that the CD for the film Stoned is available on eBay and
the soundtrack is also on a separate CD. I think I will wait until it
comes out on a cable premium channel or On Demand. Has anyone seen it
lately?
BRIAN JONES FOREVER!!!
Linda
Message 37 - Wednesday 19th April 2006
I saw the film at the Philadelphia Film Festival, April 2006, and came
away with a sombre feeling. As a Stones' fan since the early 60's, I got
to see Brian perform with the Stones at Atlantic City, New Jersey. He
was as much a presence on stage as Mick or Keith and by far the coolest
dresser. He also messed around on stage, playing the rhythm on the Last
Time faster and faster forcing the band to keep up with him.
Back to the film, It conveyed as I suspected the downward spiral of a
very talented musician, caught up in the drugs and hedonism of the
sixties. I left feeling sad that such a talent was wasted and my
reverent view of the Stones further de-mystified. The guitarist Steve
Miller said that he knew that the innocence of the 60's was over when he
saw Hendrix backstage doing heroin while high on LSD.
Gregory does a good job as Brian. He depicts him as someone out to have
fun, but who is overtaken by the illusory fame/wealth and easy access,
losing his place in the Stones as well as his relationship with Anita.
The film places the responsibility squarely with Brian, who pushes the
limits of drug use and promiscuity.
I never got a real feel for Brian as a person. He is more of the
personality that was created for him by the music industry. He is
already on the verge of stardom when the film starts out. There is no
real development of his person and so there is nothing to compare the
"Stoned" Brian to.
Considine as Thoroughgood was convincing, however it seemed that the
audience like Thoroughgood was somehow lowered into Brian's world and
didn't have a feel for it at all.
The guy that I didn't understand most was Tom. He played an important
role in Brian's welfare and relation to the group, but it was never
really explained how he came to be where he was. How he got power. What
was his relationship to the other Stones.
The sixties scenes were overdone. They try to stand on their own as
exposition, but don't really convey the zeitgeist or, in my opinion, the
confluence of personal dreams and tragic failings of youth, fame and the
music industry.
Joe Clarke
Message 38 - Sunday 23rd April 2006
Thank you Joe Clarke for the movie review. I enjoyed it a lot. It is
true that back in the Sixties the teen magazines glossed and lied about
the bands back then. Very little if anything was revealed about their
personal lives, troubles, problems, and bad habits, unless it was
absolutely necessary. They did not even acknowledge if they were married
and had children. I bet that was almost hilarious to hear Brian making
the band go faster and faster on The Last Time, GOOD FOR BRIAN!!
You were very fortunate to have seen him then. In the MoJo magazine
their is a paragraph that refers to Mick stating how they did not know
what was really wrong with Brian and did not know how to handle him. I
believe he mentioned there was no rehab or counselling back then as
there is now. So many musicians like Brian, and Jimi Hendrix, Janis
Joplin suffered needlessly due to people thinking they were weak minded,
and rebellious instead of suffering from the disease of addiction. But
addiction is NOT what caused Brian's demise, it was jealousy, revenge,
resentment and anger from a volatile drunk doing horrible workmanship on
the house and seeking to get even for being caught when that beam in the
kitchen almost killed or even seriously injured Anna Wohlin.
In my humble opinion Tom Keylock knew Frank from school in childhood and
could have very well played a major role in the plan to get rid of Brian
Jones. We shall see. Thanks everyone for the great postings, if anyone
else sees the movie please share if you can.
The movie comes to my town April 24th but I am going to wait until it is
on cable. Peace to all.
Linda Zerr
Message 39 - Wednesday 3rd May 2006
Does this film attempt to put closure on the murder of Brian. We will
never know will we!
Michael Robertson
Message 40 - Monday 19th June 2006
The cinematography and visuals were outstanding. The visual I liked best
- where a young-ish Brian with short hair, dressed in the black and
white of the earlier-60's, is strumming his guitar while standing on the
diving platform of the pool at Cotchford Farm, the blue water glistening
just below him. That just blew me away!
Fabulous film!
Lisa
Message 41 - Wednesday 28th June 2006
I saw Stoned in April in Atlanta. While I enjoyed the film and agree
that the visuals were very good...I left feeling that somehow the story
was not told...as well as it could have been.
The lack of Stones material in the sound track hurt. I feel that to show
the impact of who the Stones were at the time...the music had to be
featured.
Also...the impending doom of not getting the us visa and the stress of
the legal proceedings and the feeling of being singled out by the cops
to be made an example of...all these things were not in the film.
I also thought if you did not know the story of what happened to Brian
before the film...then the film would be hard to follow.
Everyone should check out this web sight
www.youtube.com put
Rolling Stones in the search... and you can view many clips of Brian
playing with the Stones... much of which I had not seen before (and I
have a good sized collection).
Lady Jane is quite good (not live playing 'tho Mick is live)
Satisfaction...live and great with Brian...Brian and Hendrix jam, sound
only while an out take from Gimmie Shelter plays (this is very
interesting).
J. Callanan
Message 42 - Sunday 9th July 2006
Thought the movie didn't tell much of his life but of his debauchery. I
hate movies that focus more on the bad than the positive of a persons
life. There was so much more to tell about his talents than of his
downfalls.
Stephanie
Message 43 - Saturday 15th July 2006
My message board is back in business, to discuss and share news on
Brian's death and in support of BJFC.
http://pub14.bravenet.com/forum/1169622008
Miss U.
Message 44 - Sunday 16th July 2006
If I hadn't a clue about the life of Brian Jones I would have been
utterly lost. "Stoned" is disjointed. The clothing, sets, cars
,instruments et al are all meticulously accurate looking for the their
time periods . Even if none of the cast look like the people they're
performing it looks visually impressive. The acting is standard and the
plot is unsympathetic. By the end of the movie you're waiting for Frank
to throttle Brian and regret that he did not drown Anna Wohlin too.
Brian is all too often idolized (and rightfully so) because he had
charisma, great gear and a fair for all things exotic, what people seem
to miss is that all of those who worked with him still regard him as a
mean spirited jerk who had issues because no one was paying attention to
him 24/7. Bottom line, Brian did write any songs, he didn't sing the
lead and he could barely manage backing vocals. Even Bill Wyman managed
to pull these off once or twice!
Bill Luther
Message 45 - Tuesday 18th July 2006
I am sure Leo Gregory and cast gave it their very best in this movie.
But Mr. Woolley missed the boat in depicting Brian. You cannot make a
movie that is one-sided, biased showing all bad and none of the person's
accomplishments, hard work, setbacks, and efforts. Every rock star,
actor, actress, man/woman has their problems with life.
Whatever they may be. I am not interested in the crazy drug, rock and
rock and sex life of Brian Jones to the point where it dominates his
entire persona. He was murdered and I hope someday soon we find out the
whole truth.
Linda
Message 46 - Saturday 22nd July 2006
I've been a Brian Jones fan since 1968. Being a musician myself (viola),
I have always been impressed by his musicianship, particularly in his
understanding and use of many different instruments. I've always felt
that the Stones lost an important part of their sound after he was gone.
I bought the DVD and I have to say that I was very impressed by Leo
Gregory's portrayal of Brian - it seemed consistent with everything I've
read. Even though I wish it had dealt a little more with his
musicianship, I thought the film was very good. The scenery was
beautiful - was that the real Cotchford farm?
Dave
Message 47 - Saturday 22nd July 2006
I've just seen the Stoned film and it was better than I expected and Leo
was good but I don't think that he really captured the essence & aura of
Brian - Brian had more of a positive look in his eyes & seemed more
sensitive & easy going but the scene of Brian playing the keyboard in
the empty swimming pool was great - the DVD is available in the states
at Wal-Mart
true fan kevin
Message 48 - Sunday 23rd July 2006
No it was not Cotchford but a set made to look like it.
I dearly wish there was an acceptable way to get some pictures of the
inside of the REAL Cotchford Farm. Incidentally I am thinking of naming
my squarish brick house Cotchford Box!! But I don't think my community
would understand that at all.
Linda
Message 49 - Wednesday 26th July 2006
Just saw the movie on a new DVD rental at Blockbusters, (near Boston,
Mass., U.S.A ). Also saw Brian with the Stones on their tour in Lynn,
Mass. in 1966. I recall seeing him playing sitar, sitting on the stage
in a football field minutes before tear gas and motorcycles erupted.
This contributed to his paranoia. He mesmerized us. So, we unfortunately
hurt him, by our excessive adoration.
Peter Wallis
Message 50 - Thursday 10th August 2006
I found "Stoned" very entertaining, and fast moving. Leo Gregory's
performance as Brian Jones, was impressive. The one thing I have to
point out, while the film covered a lot of Brian's exploits; there
really was nothing about the man himself. His musical contributions to
the music industry, and his creative genius. There definitely was a lot
more to be said about this talented but misunderstood musician, than the
movie portrays.
Howard Doll
Message 51 - Saturday 19th August 2006
The movie was disturbing- I didn't want to believe Brian Jones hit his
girlfriend, and I have mixed feelings about where the facts came from.
I'm still angry Mick Jaggar didn't go to the funeral.
Name withheld
Message 52 - Tuesday 22nd August 2006
I was only a little girl when Brian Jones passed, but I remember his
beautiful warm almost "naughty" smile. I was touched by his music & his
powerful image I saw many times on tv with some of the earliest of the
Stones many live performances caught on black & white imagery. I just
saw the movie & loved it! (except for one scene where a goat seems to be
sacrificed), so I am checking further into that & hoping to find it was
all just simulated. Other than that, I thought the movie was so magical
& almost like a hallucinogenic experience (though I've never tried such
a drug) but it was very - almost sexual yet educational as well. I fell
in love all over again with the young talented British Legend. It
brought back some very intense & powerful memories & made me smile, sigh
& close my eyes as I heard his voice & music touch & surround my "aura"
& enter gently into my ears. thank you Brian, Jimi, Janis & Jim, & ALL
the LEGENDS that make living in this dull & troubled world almost!
A divine experience. but as Hendrix observed "once you are dead, you are
set for life." later guys.
Honey Sheperd
Message 53 - Sunday 27th August 2006
I, too, was just a kid when I heard the news. I'd been a big fan from
the start, along with my best friend, whom I hope happens upon this site
as well, because it's fantastic and such a wonderful tribute to a
musical genius.
I have not seen the film yet, and will post after I've viewed it; but I
wanted to let everyone know that it is currently airing on Pay-Per-View
on DirecTV on Channel 179 late at night here in California...
I've always felt in my soul that Brian Jones was murdered. If Frank
Thorogood was the sole perpetrator, he has gone to his judgment. If
others were also involved, it would be justice to see them brought up on
charges as well. Along with the murder of an innocent man at the Rolling
Stones' concert at Altamont, Brian Jones' demise marked my own end of
innocence. It would be a great relief to know that crime did not pay in
this instance, at least.
Name withheld
Message 54 - Sunday 27th August 2006
Just saw this on DVD... never even knew that Thorogood supposedly
confessed.. do I care? no. Brian just needs to be remembered for the
short but wonderful amount of music he gave.. that's all one can ask...
peace
a Stones avid fan (and Brian's) since 1963 USA.
Bob, New York Upstate
Message 55 - Saturday 2nd September 2006
Though Mr. Gregory does portray Brian more accurately, he is a lot thinner than Brian was. That is a coput why they won't exhume Brian's body! I would
want to know whether my son was murdered, or committed suicide! They just don't want the police who let a murderer walk looking bad. Unfortunately, that
goes on a lot here in America too. Too often!
Lena Rivers
Message 56 - Sunday 3rd September 2006
Loved the movie. brought me back to my teens. it was just like being back in the 60's. they really captured the moment. I really felt it. the acting was
outstanding. I was sad when it was over not just because Brian died, but that the movie had ended.
The day he died was one of the saddest moment in life for me. To me the Stones were never the same without him - he was the heart and soul of the group.
To this day I don't listen to there music.
My thanks to the people that brought this movie to the screen.
forever
Debbie
Message 57 - Monday 4th September 2006
Hi everybody, I am Italian.
I am very perplexed, no one in my country is well informed about this movie.
My question is: it will be possible the distribution in Italian cinemas?
Is the movie available in DVD in Italian version?
Or it is going to remain a...British affair? :-))
Best regards, Daniele - Italy
Message 58 - Saturday 9th September 2006
I was such a little girl when Brian died but when l watched "STONED." I
almost FELT like l was in that state of mind, l mean in a GOOD way. some
movies get you scared, others make you angry but watching the MUCH long
overdue movie on this beautiful & talented young man just "brought me
home." IN A GOOD WAY TOO. However, l AM ashamed that l was too young to
understand his passing but l knew a "POTENT" light had been snuffed from
the MUSICAL WORLD! l AM also rather ashamed that so many knew what
really happened & did NOT reveal the tragic truth of this talented man's
sudden & unexpected DEMISE. "hey Brian, l would hold you if l could."
night for now, music man...
Honey Shepard
Message 59 - Sunday 10th September 2006
I was bored yesterday morning so I popped in the DVD. I never took my
eyes off the tube. Well to find out Frank killed him blew my mind.
Name withheld
Message 60 - Wednesday 13th September 2006
Just saw the movie last nite. So many words go thru my mind on how to
describe this film: sad, creepy, anger, remorse are just a few. Leo
Gregory was BRILLIANT I thought! Total dead ringer for Brian. As the
movie ended I had one thought going thru my head: With friends like
these who needs enemies?! Oh, Anita Pallenberg was a whore, junkie
bitch! Seems if Brian had had a down to earth girlfriend & some friends
that actually cared about him, he might still be alive. But, he needed
more self-esteem in himself as well!!
Greg from Chicago
Message 61 - Wednesday 13th September 2006
Hope to see more of you here:
http://pub14.bravenet.com/forum/1169622008/
Brenda
Message 62 - Tuesday 3rd October 2006
I can't take my eyes off of Leo Gregory. I have watched the movie stoned
more than 20 times. It brought me back to a time when I Wished I was
part of the what was happening to music although I was too young to be
totally involved in it. The film Stoned is awesome. It made me feel like
I was there. Leo Gregory's comes right through the screen. I can't take
my eyes off of him. I can't believe he hit the nail on the head with
Brian Jones, who to me was brilliant and so much soulful than Mick and
Keith. Would love to hear from Leo Gregory on this thoughts on the
movie.
My Best
Annette Hiatt
Message 63 - Friday 13th October 2006
Hey, I found this tribute to Brian and the Stones on YouTube, great
pic's of Brian Jones , you might like it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzaA03K1Ce8
Sandra
Message 64 - Friday 13th October 2006
I met Brian in Milwaukee in the early 60's when the Stones were first
cutting their teeth. Brian was shy and kept to himself. Mick was
outgoing and Keith was trying to be outgoing. Charlie and Bill kept in
the background. Brian however got my attention. He wanted to make
friends, loved the attention but didn't know how to handle it. We talked
a bit but he was so quiet, he was hard to understand. He tended to
mumble. I found it odd that this guy on the verge of mega stardom would
be so shy. He was so ahead of his time like Lennon. I also recorded at
Chess Studios in Chicago and talked to People who had met the Stones and
they all had the same impression of Brian. Shy and extremely talented.
You can't think Stones and not think Brian.
JoeB
Message 65 - Sunday 15th October 2006
I'd read the book 'Paint it Black - The Murder of Brian Jones' several
years back was very pleased when i heard a film of being made.
Stoned was an enjoyable film - well shot - though maybe it concentrated
a little too much on the negative side of Brian's life. There could have
been a little more emphasis on the creative genius.
Got me searching for the soundtrack of the film that Brian wrote for
score for 'A Degree of Murder'. I have some rough demos of the music
from the film but would be very interested to know if the film /
soundtrack is available - commercially or otherwise.
Brian was a talented musician who is sadly missed.
Paul Wattam
Message 66 - Friday 20th October 2006
The problem with 'Stoned', I think, is that there is no depiction of the
really charming and educated part of Brian, the aspects of his
personality that people really responded to, or of his important role as
the founding member, manager and musical director of the band - leading
directly to their early successes and hit singles. In my opinion, the
key to what happened to Brian - not turning up to Stones rehearsals,
getting depressed and wasted - was in many ways related to the manner in
which he was sidelined and humiliated by his own band. "Stoned" does not
make this link. We have a very brief glimpse of Brian as the Stones came
to fame but other than the 'telephone box' scene, there is no insight
into how his dogged work for the band made this possible, and no
explanation of how he was elbowed out of things by Loog-Oldham to make
way for the Jagger/Richards power axis - hence Brian's total retreat
into the world of rock'n'roll excess. I'm not suggesting Brian was an
angel - he had some dreadfully dark and hedonistic and violent
tendencies, but these are highlighted in the movie at the expense of his
finer qualities, and his musical genius is not conveyed at all. As other
forum members have pointed out, anyone watching this movie who did not
already know the real story of Brian would probably find it hard to feel
much sympathy with him, or what happened to him at Cotchford Farm.
That's a failure on Woolley's part, since his intention (after 10 years'
research) was to name the murderer and, presumably, engage us, make us
care about this disclosure. A casual viewer will probably not give a
toss because the Brian we are being shown is so unlikeable. (And this is
no criticism of Leo, because the actor is only as convincing as his
script.) For those who do care about Brian, though, Woolley bottled out
of placing Tom Keylock at the scene - there is a glimpse of him at the
bushes, but is it meant to be real or is it meant to suggest a
possibility? And there is no time scale. Woolley knows as well as
anybody else that Keylock was up to his neck in everything, and it was
his duty to follow through with this in 'Stoned', not to fudge it. Terry
Rawlings, who has written an updated version of his book, has not been
afraid to state his theories about Keylock's involvement - even though
he remains a friend of Tom's. Woolley did an enormous amount of research
over 10 years, but he didn't have the balls to nail this thing once and
for all. 'Stoned' could have been a contender, but. . .
Name withheld.
Message 67 - Sunday 22nd October 2006
I completely and totally agree with "name withheld"s statements about
the movie "Stoned". I also have heard that Terry Rawlings's book is not
real either. This individual expressed the best opinion/statement I have
heard to date. His reasoning's are the ones I do NOT want to see the
movie. I know the cast gave it their ultimate best but if the script and
story line are bad there is not much a person can do. Mr. Woolley's
movie is to one sided. Brian was under the influence of drugs/alcohol
when he was violent, temperamental and defiant.
But if one could have seen him clean and sober for a long while we
probably would have seen a much different Brian Jones. Mood altering
chemicals change a person's personality entirely. But I will say this
much, I would much rather see Stoned than A Degree of Murder any day!!
Linda
Message 68 - Thursday 2nd November 2006
To Joe B. --- I like what you said about Brian.
About Stoned, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a reason for the
script turning out this way after 10 years of research, blood, sweat and
tears...I wonder if Wooley & co had any death threats? Because I have to
believe that Wooley originally intended for this to be a very
controversial film when he first took it on, and that he must have found
out significant earth-shattering info after 10 years of research!! Which
was clearly left out of the film. Somewhere along the line, "things have
changed" to quote Bob Dylan.
I think you'll find this of interest. After the North American premiere
of Stoned at the film festival I attended, there was a Q & A session
with Wooley.
I told him I like that there is one central theory of Brian's death, but
that the film also hints at other theories throughout, such as that
Brian was putting together his own band & this was a perceived threat.
He smiled and nodded in agreement, and commented that Brian was in the
band for 7 years, and for the stones to have kept Brian around for the
last few final years when Brian was clearly not into it, and was even
missing sessions, could be argued that the stones clearly did not want
Brian to leave to join his many other prestigious musical friends such
as Hendrix, or Janis Joplin, or the Beatles.
Come over to the Blonde Goat Forum:
http://pub14.bravenet.com/forum/1169622008/show/579093
Brenda
Message 69 - Thursday 9th November 2006
One has to say, the music score (on the DVD) the opening piece, (wich
will play continuously, if you leave the disc on the opening page) is
superb, its the sort of music Brian might have composed. The lighting
and colour, again were superb, it is exactly as I remember it (in
1969).Given the nature and inaccuracies of the script, the actors
handled things well.
Leo Gregory (B.J.) had the voice down well, but the personality reminded
me more of two brothers Brian was quite close to (in real life). As so
many have commented in the 69 forum postings , they should have shown
the genius, trendsetting, pioneering artist that he was, not the
negatives.
The film should have been treated as fiction, which it is to a large
degree, names of real people should not have been used. I personally
feel it was very insensitive of the producers to not take into
consideration, Brians family. I would like to draw your attention to an
interview with Lady Lucifer (Anita) on a newly released DVD boxed set
"The Rolling Stones just for the record" on which she says she saw the
power axis going to Keith and Mick, slipping away from Brian. Then she
goes onto say she joined Keith after Brian had ordered a large plate of
sandwiches (From Moroccan hotel room service) and through the whole
plate in her face, (in view of the fact Anita put on a lot of weight
later on, l think l Know what may have been on Brians mind) Keith then
grabbed her and very gallantly, said fuck this l'm not leaving you with
this madman. So why does the film and Terry Rawlings book say she was
beaten up????
I have only watched the 60's decade of the 5 dvd's in the set. Its well
worth a watch for a lot of unseen footage of Brian, and includes a short
interview with him. There are also wonderful interviews with Pat
Andrews, Dick Hatterall, Dick Tayler and Stash de Rola , I must say that
Anita did come across as truthful and contrary to what we have been
conditioned to believe, very positive about Brians future band, his
music and the fact that he was a real trooper. Check out
www.passportproductions.com
Pat Townshend. |
