Madness: Take It Or Leave It - A Ska Hard Day's Night

Most 2-Tone fans have seen "Dance Craze" the great 1980 concert film by Joe Massot chronicling the ska explosion in Britain. It features live footage of Bad Manners, The Beat, The Bodysnatchers, Madness, The Specials and The Selecter. How many of you have seen "Take It Or Leave It?"

I think its fair to call it the ska version of "A Hard Day's Night" starring the seven members of Madness as themselves and directed by Stiff Records boss Dave Robinson. The 1981 film traces the roots of the group, beginning in 1976 or thereabouts. Very amateurish in places, and also very funny in others, the film follows the ups & downs of individual members of the group, and features all of their early hits including "The Prince", "One Step Beyond", "Baggy Trousers" and "Night Boat to Cairo." Although lead singer Suggs went on to do some acting in films, drummer Daniel Woodgate said of `Take It Or Leave It', "it was the beginning and end of my acting career."

Here are two clips from the movie:





You can purchase copies on Amazon.com UK or on Ebay or if you have the time, patience and hard drive space you can download the film in 8 separate parts here:

Take It Or Leave It Part 1
Take It Or Leave It Part 2
Take It Or Leave It Part 3
Take It Or Leave It Part 4
Take It Or Leave It Part 5
Take It Or Leave It Part 6
Take It Or Leave It Part 7
Take It Or Leave It Part 8