1964: Mods clash with Rockers in Brighton, creating a moral panic. 1973: ex-Mod band The Who release Quadrophenia, a concept album following young Mod Jimmy Cooper to the Brighton riots and beyond. 1979: Franc Roddam directs Quadrophenia, a film based on Pete Townshend's album narrative; its cult status is immediate. 2013: almost fifty years on from Brighton, this first academic study explores the lasting appeal of 'England's Rebel Without a Cause'. Investigating academic, music, press, and fan-based responses, Glynn argues that the 'Modyssey' enacted in Quadrophenia intrigues because it opens a hermetic subculture to its social-realist context; it enriches because it is a cult film that dares to explore the dangers in being part of a cult; it endures because of its 'emotional honesty', showing Jimmy as failing, with family, job, girl, and group; it excites because we all know that, at some point in our lives, 'I was there!'

About the Author
Stephen Glynn is Associate Research Fellow at De Montfort University, UK. His writings on rock movies range from the particular, A Hard Day's Night (2004), to the general, The British Pop Music Film (2013).

Reviews
... An insightful and multifaceted study of the four faces of one of the very best pop films. Psychobabble This is a fascinating and useful book by a talented writer... Stephen Glynn has cemented his reputation as one of the best writers on British cinema and popular music. Music, Sound and the Moving Image It is easy to write a film review in a dry, critical tone, but Glynn manages to keep his own review enjoyable. Film Matters



Book Information
ISBN 9780231167413
Author Stephen Glynn
Format Paperback
Page Count 144
Imprint Wallflower Press
Publisher Columbia University Press