Slade in Flame now available on Blu-ray to celebrate its 50th anniversary
It was in cinemas earlier this month
Last updated 19th May 2025
Slade’s cult classic film Slade in Flame returned to UK cinemas to celebrate its 50th anniversary earlier this month, and now it's available to buy on Blu-ray.
Originally released in January 1975, Slade in Flame stars Noddy Holder (as Stoker), Jim Lea (Paul), Dave Hill (Barry) and Don Powell (Charlie) as the fictional band Flame.
Preceded by the 1974 soundtrack album of the same name, which boasts the Slade classics ‘Far Far Away’ and ‘How Does it Feel,’ Slade in Flame charts Flame’s rapid ascendency in the late 1960s and their dramatic implosion at their commercial peak.
Although Slade in Flame was met with a mixed reception from critics and fans alike, some of whom were befuddled by its surprisingly bleak atmosphere, the film has garnered significant retrospective acclaim, with Mark Kermode hailing it as the 'Citizen Kane of rock musicals' in 2007.
Half-a-century after its first hit the silver screen, the BFI has newly remastered Slade in Flame for a cinema release. It premiered at BFI Southbank on Thursday 1st May and there are now nationwide screenings throughout May.
The BFI writes: ‘Slade in Flame both confounded and delighted audiences when it was released in 1975, at the height of the legendary glam-rock band’s success, starring the band themselves, this was a music film like no other.
‘Charting the rise and fall of a pop group at the end of the 1960s, this darkly cynical, warts-and-all portrait of a band in freefall amidst the music-industry suits who want a piece of the pie was not what anybody was expecting. Slade in Flame has been newly remastered by the BFI from the best available 35mm materials.’
Alongside the cinema screenings, Slade in Flame came out on Blu-ray for the very first time on Friday 16th May, will a variety of bonus features.
You can find a full list of Slade in Flame screenings on the BFI website here, and watch the new trailer here.
Take a look through music documentaries and how to watch them:
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Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story (Disney+)
Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story is a four-part documentary series following the story Bon Jovi right from the beginning up to the present day. Speaking of handing over control to the documentary's director, Jon explained it was: "The whole truth, nothing but the truth.
"We relinquished all control to the director, which, if you're going to do it, we felt that it should be just to speaking the whole truth. Each of our individual truths, really, and then not to sanitise it to your point."
Simple Minds: Everything Is Possible (iPlayer)
Simple Minds: Everything Is Possible is a feature-length film which includes interviews with the likes of Bob Geldof, Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie, Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan, The Specials' Jerry Dammers, and Texas' Sharleen Spiteri, along with Manic Street Preachers' James Dean Bradfield, writer Irvine Welsh, actress Molly Ringwald and many album producers.
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band (Disney+)
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band was directed by Bruce Springsteen's longtime collaborator Thom Zimny (Springsteen on Broadway, Willie Nelson & Family, Sly), and it's produced by Zimny, Jon Landau, Springsteen, Adrienne Gerard and Sean Stuart.
The Beatles: Let It Be (Disney+)
This documentary film starring The Beatles was first released in May 1970, in the middle of the band's break-up, but has now been re-released after being restored, on Disney+. The film follows the band as they record songs and rehearse for their last album 'Let It Be'.
WHAM! (Netflix)
From Chris Smith, the director behind the infamous Fyre Fest documentary, fans get the chance to follow Wham! from their early beginnings to the height of their success. The documentary includes footage from George and Andrew's personal archives such as never-before-seen footage, and previously unheard interviews.
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese (Netflix)
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese is described as 'Part documentary, part concert film, part fever dream', by Netflix. The film captures America in the autumn of 1975, and the music that Bob Dylan performs during that time.
Dolly Parton: Here I Am (iPlayer)
Dolly Parton: Here I Am is a documentary following the country singer from her humble beginnings, up to her present global success. The film includes archive footage and interviews with Dolly herself, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
What Happened, Miss Simone? (Netflix)
What Happened, Miss Simone? is a documentary from director Liz Garbus, who weaves together never-before-heard recordings and rare archival footage of the iconic singer, along with many of her well-known tracks.
Amy (Channel4, Apple TV, Prime Video)
Amy is an Oscar-winning documentary about the late singer, who died at the age of just 27. Amy uses extensive archive footage, along with personal videos to delve into the singer, behind the famous face fans knew. Starting in the early years, and following her as she makes her big break into the music industry.
Whitney (Prime Video)
Whitney is a documentary film featuring exclusive performances and footage of the singer known for her hits such as 'I'm Every Woman' and 'I Will Always Love You'. The film had its world premiere as part of the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, with a cinema release soon after. And was nominated at the 61st Grammy Awards for Best Music Film.
The Beach Boys (Disney+)
Including never-before-seen footage and new interviews, The Beach Boys is a brand new documentary available now on Disney+. The documentary follows the band from their humble beginnings to their worldwide success.
Becoming Led Zeppelin (Cinemas)
The long-gestating Led Zeppelin documentary film Becoming Led Zeppelin is finally set to hit cinema screens on 7th February in the UK. The officially-authorised Becoming Led Zeppelin documentary traces the formation and early years of the fabled rock British band.
Cyndi Lauper's Let The Canary Sing (Paramount+)
Streaming platform Paramount+ have released a brand new feature-length documentary to celebrate the remarkable life and career of American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper. The documentary takes the audience on an engaging exploration of a renowned and pioneering artist who has left a remarkable legacy with her art.
Before We Was We: Madness by Madness (ITVX)
Before We Was We: Madness by Madness was added to ITVX in 2024. The documentary follows the band as they started out from their humble beginnings, before becoming for hits such as. 'Baggy Trousers' and 'One Step Beyond'.
Take That (Netflix)
Netflix announced in August 2024 that a new Take That series was in the works. They said 'A new TAKE THAT series is in production! With access to Gary, Howard and Mark and featuring interviews with Jason and Robbie, this series will give unprecedented insight into one of Britain's most successful and beloved bands.'
Elton John: Never Too Late (Disney+)
Elton John: Never Too Late was released in selected cinemas on 15th November 2024, followed by a Disney+ release on 13th December 2024. The documentary is directed by R.J. Cutler and Elton's husband David Furnish, who also serve as producers on the title. Following the release of the film Elton's greatest hits album 'Diamonds', released in 2017 finally reached Number 1 on the UK Album Chart.
Boybands Forever (iPlayer)
Boybands Forever is a three-part series on BBC Two and iPlayer. The series has interviews with the likes of Robbie Williams and Brian McFadden. The executive producer is Louis Theroux.
Luther Vandross (Sky Arts)
Luther Vandross: Never Too Much is a documentary film which was released for one night only in the UK, on 30th January 2025, it was later added to Sky Arts for viewers to stream. The film follows the legendary singer featuring archival footage and interviews with the legendary singer's closest friends and collaborators to tell his story.
Boyzone: No Matter What (Sky Documentaries and NOW)
Boyzone: No Matter What was released on 2nd February on Sky Documentaries and NOW. The documentary features new interviews with the remaining band members Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Michael Graham.
Bono: Stories of Surrender
U2 frontman Bono is the subject of a feature-length documentary film called Bono: Stories to Surrender. It is available to watch on Apple TV+. The documentary is based on the Irish singer's 2022 memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, which featured 40 chapters, each named after a U2 song, and 40 accompanying original drawings by Bono.
Bruce Springsteen: When Bruce Springsteen Came To Britain
The documentary film features an exclusive interview with Bruce Springsteen, as he remembers his first UK gig at the age of 26, when he took to the stage in the Hammersmith Odeon (now the Eventim Apollo). The documentary includes stories from Bruce that he has never told before, opening up about how he suffered from PTSD after his first UK performance.
Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home
Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home is an hour-long documentary special about the last chapter of Ozzy's life. The documentary follows the singer in the last three years of his life with interviews from his family, including Sharon, Jack and Kelly.
Elton John: Touched by Gold
Touched by Gold is a documentary about Elton John's connection with gold. It is a moving exploration of gold's enduring influence on culture, creativity, and society. This documentary sees Elton reflecting on how the precious metal has inspired his art, style, and individuality throughout his extraordinary career.
Now read:
19 music documentaries you won't want to miss
Bon Jovi documentary series out now on Disney+ in the UK
Netflix's Wham! documentary is available to stream on Netflix