Just bought a copy of the new issue of Mojo (or, at least my wife did).

Amongst the various pages is a half-page article on the Whitehead ‘Joy Division’ film.
It talks a little about the film, but also gives a fairly detailed description of it.

One thing of particular note in the article is the following:

“Though Whitehead stated that he had sold the film to the Cherry Red label, Hooky argues the ownership is disputed (the label told Mojo, “Cherry Red acquired the rights to the footage but need an agreement from the band for a commercial release”). He hopes, though, that fans won’t have to wait much longer to see it.”

So, although, there does appear to be a complication with ownership, there are possible moves afoot to try and get a release, both by Hooky and Cherry Red (possibly coming at it from opposing sides).

Also, it’s a good sign that at least one member of the band would like to see it released (Hooky goes on to say “I’d love it to come out”).
There have always been rumours that the band weren’t keen due to the use of Nuremberg rally footage in the film. I guess that was mainly back in the day though, when people were accusing them of Nazi sympathising (apparently it was going to be on the HATYM tape but that was nixed because of that reason).
I’m sure nobody now thinks that they’re Nazis, so I’m sure it could be released without those sort of concerns.

Good news, anyway. I would absolutely love a copy of the whole film, i.e. in the context in which it was meant to be shown rather than just the Bowden Vale footage on its own.

What exactly is the "Whitehead" film?

Spotted the Mojo edition in WH Smith today with JD on the cover.What, yet another JD Mojo/Uncut/A.N Other mag cover feature i thought.What possible new angle can they find for another multi page spread that they haven't done before? I was just starting to have a glance through and found the bit about the Whitehead film but then some bloke near me perusing some magazine started coughing and shit and i put Mojo back on the shelf and ran off, not wanting to catch the flu or something.I'll look again sometime and see if it's worth buying.

Are those brief and silent clips in Grant Gee's 'Joy Division' documentary from the Whitehead film? Can't recall now.Those short clips of Bernard ,Steve and Hooky smiling to camera, Steve in a light coloured 70s blazer.

Oh and i did see some latest edition of Classic Pop magazine has a spread reviewing all NO's albums.

I’ve always assumed that those clips are part of the rehearsal footage included in the film, but maybe they are outtakes, i.e. the bits that they were messing about with, that was deemed to not be included in the film.

I think those bits are magnificent. To see Joy Division, relaxing, having fun is just a wonderful sight. I admit that, when I first saw that footage (and Gee’s superb documentary in general) I think I did get a bit misty-eyed.
JD are always considered this doom-laden band and, although us fans know better, it was still a joyous thing to watch them smiling and having fun.
Just thinking about it makes me want this film released even more. There’s so little JD material out there, we need to see more.

I still like ‘Control’ but, yeah, it very probably wasn’t representative of the band we know and love.
I think the Grant Gee documentary captured the personalities of the three very well. A wonderful piece and probably the best documentary of any band I’ve seen.
I do tend to watch a fair few music documentaries. Even with bands I don’t like. I always think that most bands have lived really interesting lives and am always kind of fascinated by them.
But the JD documentary takes the biscuit. It does, of course, help with the fact that the JD/NO/Factory story is certainly one of the most interesting in music history.

PS glad to see you’re back as ‘Fotz’. 😊😊😊

I was a little drunk last night too. A very late night and I’m suffering this morning.

Totally agree about both those documentaries. I regularly sling on ‘Play At Home’ to watch (and not just to watch Ms Gilbert in... slow... motion... 😉). It’s a great, fun documentary and has some excellent Haçienda footage. I was pleased to see it listed on the leaked PC&L boxset and hope it makes the final selection. It wouldn’t seem right if it wasn’t included.

I loved Considine in 24HPP, but also really liked Kebbell in Control. Perhaps the character of the late, great Gretton just leant himself for great comedy performances.