Holiday movies got you down? Can’t stomach another Christmas rom-com? Skip the schlocky festive cheese and watch this instead. Director Nick Broomfield‘s latest documentary The Stones and Brian Jones is a riveting exploration of the rise of The Rolling Stones and the tumultuous life and times of Brian Jones, the band’s founding member. The film stands out due to the exhaustive research and also for featuring thorough interviews with all the key players and a ton of previously unseen archival footage. Clocking in at just over 90 minutes, the documentary weaves together a compelling narrative that sheds light on the tortured genius that was Brian Jones and how important he was to the formative years of the legendary rock band.
The documentary opens with a quote from biographer Stanley Booth that sets the tone for what’s to follow, “Brian was a casualty of the war between two generations.” One of the doc’s strengths is its commitment to presenting a fully fleshed-out view of Jones, who despite being an integral part of the band’s early years, has often been relegated to just a footnote or piece of music trivia. Broomfield delves deep into Jones’s contributions and how he helped to shape the Stones’ vision and sound. Through interviews with family, friends, and even ex-Stone Bill Wyman, the film paints a nuanced picture of Jones as not just a troubled figure but as a visionary artist whose impact on that crucial period of the Stones cannot be overstated.
The Stones and Brian Jones succeeds in capturing the essence of an era and the evolution of The Rolling Stones, from their humble beginnings to reaching global superstardom. The juxtaposition of past and present through the archival footage serves as a powerful tool in illustrating the journey of the band and the complex dynamics that led to Jones’s eventual departure. Speaking on what inspired him to make the documentary, Broomfield states: “The Rolling Stones were a major influence in my formative years. Brian and Mick were heroes of the day, their rebellion and breaking of the rules were a great inspiration to us. Making this film was an opportunity for me to look at that formative growing up time until the shock of Brian’s death in 1969, the darkest moment in the history of The Stones, when things changed.”
As part of presenting a nuanced look at the complicated legacy of Brian Jones, The Stones and Brian Jones also tackles the darker aspects of Jones’s life, including his struggles with substances and the growing friction he had with his bandmates. Notably, neither Mick Jagger or Keith Richards were involved in the making of this doc. Broomfield does not shy away from portraying the less-than-glamorous side of rock ‘n’ roll, offering a balanced and even-handed portrayal of the trappings that came along with the band’s rise to fame. By exploring the interpersonal rivalries within The Rolling Stones and the untimely passing of Jones at the age of 27, the documentary adds depth to the narrative, humanizing the iconic musicians and adding more context to the far too-short life of the band’s founding member.
While the documentary does occasionally dip into being a wide-eyed love letter to the Rolling Stones, its overall impact lies in its ability to reframe the narrative around Brian Jones and really making a strong case for his place in the band’s lore. The Stones and Brian Jones is a must-watch for both hardcore Stones fans and those seeking a deeper understanding of the rockers whose music helped define a generation.
You can stream The Stones and Brian Jones on iTunes and Apple TV.
