Abba The Movie (1977)

Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog

Director: Lasse Hallstrom

Running time: 95 minutes

Certificate: U

UK release date: 16 February 1978.

I remember seeing this movie and a small fee picked in Southgate.  What made the visit more memorable was that this is the start of the punk era, and into the screening arrived three archetypal punk rockers, but the Dr. Marten boots laced UP to their knees, extremely tight jeans, leather jackets with the anarchy sign painted on with Tipex and Mohicans.  Now what you have to remember is that the only punks had ever seen before and were the ones that appeared on TV when bill Grundy had persuaded them to swear as part of tea time viewing.  Seeing them in the flesh was something else.  But why on earth would they want to come and see out of the movie?  They sat down right at the very front but didn’t sit on the seats, preferring the dark Lino covered flooring, which they spend most of the movie trying to set fire to.  So it just goes to show you that the appeal of the Swedish super group even ran to fans of punk rock.

The film covers the 1977 Australian tour of the band.  Full to the brim of ABBA songs that later went on to the smash hits, the makers decided that it wasn’t enough just to watch the band perform, so they included a storyline.  It involved a completely incompetent Australian DJ who promises to get an exclusive interview with the group.  Interspersed between the songs, we see this bumbling idiot, who gets more annoying as the film progresses, desperately trying to get into all the places that ABBA are visiting and failing miserably.

The film works best when we’re just left with the group performing their songs.  Take a Chance on Me, The Name of the Game and Thank You for Music all appear along with some of the greatest hits.  Some of the tracks of performed live while others were turned into pop video circa 1977.  The film was directed by Lasse Hallstrom, who later went on to direct great movies such as My Life as a Dog, The Cider House Rules, Chocolat and more recently, but not so great, Dear John.  He was the perfect choice to make this movie is had spent most of his time with a group making their pop videos.  

ABBA the movie is not perfect in any way.  In a time in which we’re so used a quick editing and fast shots, modern audiences might find this too leisurely.  But the fans of the Swedish Group will love listening to songs, watching the sometimes cheesy videos, and getting completely lost in a time in which we were oh so innocent and spandex was the greatest thing that was ever invented.

3/5