The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980): cast, story & where to watch
1980 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 1980, The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle is a comedy, music and documentary film directed by Julien Temple, running about 103 minutes.
What it’s about. A rather incoherent post-breakup Sex Pistols "documentary", told from the point of view of Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, whose (arguable) position is that the Sex Pistols in particular and punk rock in general were an elaborate scam perpetrated by him in order to make "a million pounds."
Who’s in it. The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle stars Malcolm McLaren as The Embezzler, Steve Jones as The Crook, Paul Cook as The Tea-Maker and Sid Vicious as The Gimmick, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle worth watching?
- The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, music and documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle?
- The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle stars Malcolm McLaren, Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Sid Vicious and John Lydon.
- When was The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle released?
- The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle was released in 1980, with a runtime of about 103 minutes.