Good concept, poorly executed.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Who are The Who? They're Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp. Of course, you first come up with the names Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey because they actually play that wickedly-good rock. However the first two names in this essay are the founders of The Who, filmmakers with a dream to make a rock documentary but sidetracked into managing one of the best rock bands ever.Director James D. Cooper hits the right notes: plenty of talking head from handsome, articulate Chris Stamp (brother of famous Terence, who appears with commentary), entertaining clips from the band's early years, and a thriller of a break up story (almost required of all rock band stories, fact or fiction). Never could anyone be bored with such a complex, fascinating rags-to-riches tale.Pete Townshend, not much to look at as a young man but distinguished now with a naughty glint, gives as much as Stamp, especially when we try to understand the dynamic that led to the breakup. Although the posh Kit Lambert, whose dad was Constant Lambert the maestro, was an intrepid entrepreneur, he pushed himself to early death with cigs and drugs. During the growth times, however, he pushed the band into unknown territory. As did the better thinker, Stamp.Although Kit Lambert died before the making of this doc, he is so carefully edited in as to make it seem he was here all the time. Stamp is especially effective as we are taken through the creation of the mega-hit rock musical Tommy and the release of Lambert & Stamp from the organization. The Who buying Shepperton Studios, where the founders met, is a nice piece of irony. Lambert's brainy discussion of class and youth with its manifestation in the "mod" era directed by the youth of London elevates the documentary from curiosity to demanding to be heard to understanding the wild youth of London.

The British Navy ruled the waves for hundreds of years. The British also ruled the waves in the 60s, the airwaves. This doc gives you insight into the incredible management team of Kit Lambert and Christopher Stamp. I think any one studying management or leadership would benefit from all the insights presented in the film.Kit Lambert came from an aristocratic background; private schools, Oxford, British Army and adventure trek up the Amazon (this could be a movie all by itself). Christopher Stamp from a rough working background, his dad was a tugboat captain. The family survived the Blitz and his brother Terence began a film career in 1962, so the future looked promising. He met Kit at the Shepperton Film Studios, where they were both working on film projects. You can almost feel how the pair worked from various clips in the film. Chris was the charismatic charmer and Kit won the trust of the artists and helped shape a vision. They planned their project with the Who with a multimedia approach, years ahead of their time.I think the two most revealing moments in the doc were the two interviews with the German and French crews. Kit described his total philosophy in impeccable German and French, no mean feat in itself. Pete Townsend and Roger Daltry also give invaluable insight into the formation and development of the WHO. I remember seeing the WHO in Montreal around 1967 at the Forum. It was a sensational show, and yes Pete put his guitar through the amp! Cool!

This film will draw you in and touch your heart as it exposes what it means to live your dreams. A beautiful exploration of the visions and fires that brought the legendary band, The Who into being. Two young men from different beginnings find a common vision to create and break free from their origins. The charming and bold duo, Chris Stamp and Kit Lambert, remind us what it is to be young and believe in no limits. Genius and madness mix as six incredible talents come together and inspire generations through the universal language of music. In a brave undertaking, director James D. Cooper elicits poignant and fascinating interviews from those who remember this incredible journey. His connection and understanding of these men keeps us engaged and wanting more. It is a universal story of passion and frailty. The lyrical editing and incredible soundtrack complete the picture leaving the audience satisfied and hungering at the same time. A film that will stay with you long after you leave the theatre.

I saw this movie in NYC and knew only bits and pieces of the story beforehand. The historical footage is astounding, as is the soundtrack. The interviews with Chris Stamp, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend and Terence Stamp (among others) added authenticity and tremendous depth to the story. While the story is overwhelmingly about the history of the formation and germination of the Who and the Mod movement, the side stories about Jimi Hendrix and his arrival in London, about the angst that was present in post-WWII England, about the facade of financial success and upbringing that drove access to goods, services and credit in 1960s London...those are the pieces of the film that give it such depth. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes the Who, to anyone who likes learning about the early days of rock leading up to the British Invasion, to anyone who likes stories of success, failure and recovery and to anyone who doubts that great things can be accomplished with a lot of luck, hard work, imagination and perseverance.