Burning Rubber - The BCR's Movie
In the 80's the Rollers took a new direction. Les Mckeown left the group and Duncan Faure took his place as lead singer. (well, tried to) Not only did they change direction musically, but also in other ways. By this time the group were calling themselves 'The Rollers' having dropped the 'Bay City' part from their name. Then at some stage they decided to take up acting. Who's idea it was to get involved in acting I really don't know! But they decided it would be a good idea to make a movie. It was called 'Burning Rubber'. Those involved were the original Rollers minus Les Mckeown and Eric Faulkner. The cast was Alan Longmuir, Derek Longmuir, Stuart Wood and Duncan Faure. (As mentioned earlier Duncan Faure joined 'The Rollers' after Les left the Bay City Rollers) Now, as a fan of the Rollers in the 70's I was so glad to get this film in the 80's. I couldn't wait to watch it! But I am going to have to be brutally honest here. As a fan it is very hard to hear anything negative about a particular group or celebrity a person may like or have liked in the past but I wouldn't be doing the Rollers justice if I wasn't honest. The film wasn't that good. So sorry to say it but in my opinion it wasn't. (And I'll bet Les and Eric were glad they didn't have anything to do with it!) In my humble opinion it was a bit cheesy. Actually cring-worthy and a little embarrassing to be honest. Let's face it, the Bay City Rollers are a music group - they are not actors. And it shows in this film. No disrespect to them, they did the best they could. But trying to become actors is not an easy thing if you're not naturally gifted in that area. They probably felt a bit like fish out of water. And boy did they look like fish out of water! Because they cannot act. They were a little out of their depth here I think. I cringed as I watched the movie, because I cared about them and didn't want to see any of them embarrassing themselves. After having said all that about the movie you probably think I hated it. I didn't. You probably think that I think they shouldn't have made it. Well, it's not as simple as that. You see, as a former fan, while I was watching it I was in two minds about it. From the viewpoint of 'what will outsiders (those who are not fans) think or what will the wider viewing audience think?' I initially felt that the film wasn't good for the group because it only gave the critics something else to slate them for. Also I simply didn't want to see the boys embarrassed. And I hate to say it, but at times I did feel embarrassed watching it - embarrassed for them. So when it comes to commercially and what outsiders would make of the film I initially thought that the boys should have maybe stuck to what they did best - playing music. But from my own point of view and as a former fan in the 70's I was glad to get to see the film. The acting may not have been great but I loved the music. (Especially the opening theme song 'Burning Rubber'. And I was just really glad to see the group again! (When a person is a young fan of a pop group it doesn't really matter what capacity they see them in they just want to see them. And even as adults many 70's Roller fans still feel like this) For anyone who was a fan of theirs, they will look past the flaws, the wooden acting and the cheese and just see the boys they fell in love with in the 70's. They will watch it, laugh, maybe cringe here or there but it will be a loving and supportive kind of cringing. It is cringing out of love and respect for them, believing in them and wanting the best for them. But the overwhelming emotion is just the sheer joy at being able to see the Rollers again - regardless of the lack of acting skills! And that's how I felt. On the fan side of me I am glad they did it because it gave me the chance to see them in a different capacity and not just as singers. It gave me some laughs (for those who were 70's fans, some of the movie was very funny) and that's something I did appreciate. I am glad I got it in the 80's (a fellow fan sent it to me) and got to watch it, even if I did watch some of it between my fingers! Anyway, the link to the movie is below. Watch it and see what you think.
Here are a few comments (made in 2011) about this film. (Placed here on 18th October 2013)
- jlindholm2000 3 months ago
I'm re-watching this of course. I have to wonder about the story behind this. Who thought to make a movie with the Rollers? Wonder how Alan got to be chosen to play lead? Someone saw something in him.
Les wrote a book. Would love to see a book by Alan sweetie.
Reply · - jlindholm2000 3 months ago
Really? I'm enjoying this. I think Alan is a good actor. He's had experience on 'Shang-A-Lang', all those funny clips [did you see the Christmas one, Alan tries to decorate a tree, it almost kills him?], the skits on the Krofft show [not the witchy skits, bleeeeh], the clips where they make an old-time movie or all five try to sleep in the same bed. There's a lot of BCR acting stuff, all on youtube.
Reply · - MsFaebel 2 years ago
Good fun to watch and to play "pick-the-Roller" but Lordy me Alan...I am so sorry, but acting is NOT your strong suit me lad >.< Still.. I enjoyed this :)
Reply · - ForeverAlansGirl 2 years ago
I am an ALANS GIRL; have been for 30+ years; hence my username......you know I'd have tobe to be able to sit thru all 12 parts of this movie.... lol!!!! In his defence....he is darn Hott in this tho'!!!!! Thank you for uploading & sharing this with us Punkchic62; I really appreciate it!!!.... now on to part 4!!! :O)
Reply · - ZealiaZ 2 years ago
LOL
Reply · - Les Mckeown 2 years ago
my god, how bad does it get?
Reply
- (My reply to Les Mckeown's comment - Lol! And in total agreement!)