Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)

July 14, 1982 (GB) • Music, Drama • 95m

Overview

A troubled rock star descends into madness in the midst of his physical and social isolation from everyone.

Director

Bob Geldof

Keywords

rock star berlin wall paranoia wall descent into madness rock musical adult animation

Where to watch

Check streaming options on TMDB

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

Filipe Manuel Neto

⭐ 2/10

October 15, 2023

**Pink Floyd's music works on its own. As a film, it's a waste of time.**

I don't know if Pink Floyd were aware of the impact that “The Wall” would have when they released it. Today, there is some consensus in considering it one of the best rock albums ever and “Another Brick in the Wall” has become an anthem for teenage rebellion, which does not conform to the rules, dictates and conventions. And I feel free to say all this because rock is not, by any stretch of the imagination, one of my personal preference styles of music. I listen, casually, but I wouldn't pay for a ticket.

What this film does, essentially, is to take the concept of the album – which was designed and released as if it were a kind of opera-rock – and give it a look to match in an absolutely dreamlike, hallucinated style. There is no plot other than the one that goes on in the head of the protagonist, the rock vocalist Pink, who seems to be experiencing a very deep depression, as his social and emotional isolation increases, caused by an absent father (he died in the war when he was a child), an overprotective mother, a series of abusive teachers and a recent divorce.

Watching the film is like watching a musical nightmare. It's not an optimistic film, and it's not easy to watch, especially because the plot isn't very obvious and there are no explanations. There are several impactful scenes, so I don't know if it's the most suitable film for impressionable audiences. There are many fantasies about war, about power and using power to control others. There are also some good animated scenes, although they are just as disturbing as all the others. However, the film is just that... and Pink Floyd's music. The film will certainly please fans of the band, and rock lovers in general, but other audiences may think it doesn't justify their time.

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CinemaSerf

⭐ 7/10

June 15, 2025

Using Pink Floyd’s iconic album as a soundtrack not only brings this vibrant feature alive, but it also allows Alan Parker to treat each track as if it were a template to experiment with some quite radically differing styles of storytelling. There is a running theme, that being the tale of “Pink Floyd” (Bob Geldof) who lost his dad during the war, saw his wife abandon him and who ever since he can remember has been sheltering behind a wall - phys… read the rest.

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Status

Released

Original Language

Budget

$12,000,000

Revenue

$22,244,207

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