Clash frontman Joe Strummer wrote and directed this odd gangster parody in 1983, while the band was on a break from touring. He cast Mick Jones as a well-dressed crime boss, Paul Simonon as his Jimmy Cliff-channeling nemesis, and pretty much everyone the band had ever shared a pint with in supporting roles.
Hell W10 is not exactly a masterpiece. The camera work is indifferent, each individual scene lasts longer than it needs to, and we’re not quite sure what the blonde was doing there. Still, it’s hard not to enjoy any movie with an all-Clash soundtrack, and we got a huge kick out of watching Jones scowl in his white tuxedo like a cartoon Scarface.
Other high points include the hybrid noir-punk stylings of the titles, and Strummer’s own cheeky turn as an aggressive cop.
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Sheerly Avni is a San Francisco-based arts and culture writer. Her work has appeared in Salon, LA Weekly, Mother Jones, and many other publications. You can follow her on twitter at @sheerly
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What a great find ! Obviously a curio, very much a document of its time , but great for all that. Nice to hear the ruff’n’ready soundtrack too . I can imagine them hanging out around Ladbroke Grove – The Last Gang In Town ! Thanks again, Love and Ting x