The Commitments (1991)

'The Commitments' (1991)- Special Edition DVD

Staring: Kenneth McCluskey, Dick Massey, Michael Aherne, Joe Walsh, Karen Coleman, Claire Malone, Daniel Antoine, Darren Hanley, Serge Stavila, Ray Martin.
Director: Alan Parker
Rating: M15+

Running Time: 118 minutes
Alan Parker, award winning director of Evita, Angela's Ashes, Mississippi Burning, brings us a touching, comical drama: The Commitments is now available on DVD and includes not only the movie and but also numerous added features. This fun-filled compilation provides over four hours of backstage features; the 'Alan Parker: Film Biography' follows Parker's dream of this project as well as the previous musicals (Fame and Bugsy Malone) that inspired him to eventually create The Commitments. 'The Making Of The Commitments' documentary includes interviews with members of the cast and Parker. The added bonus of music videos and trailers from the feature film are more of the components that allow the audience to emerse themselves in the brilliant creation that is 'The Commitments'.

Set in northern Dublin in the 1990's, The Commitments follows the story of a group of determined Irish teenagers who are energized by their natural talents and zeal for 'soul' music. Dynamic Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) - a would-be talent promoter with an incomparable desire to introduce soul music into the small community of Barrytown. Enlisting the assistance of his melodically adept friends Outspan (Glen Hansard) and Derek (Kenneth McCluskey), the three embark on a journey to develop The Commitments-'The World's Hardest Working Band'. Undiscovered talents portray an assortment of vibrant and fascinating characters in the film and greatly contribute to the exposure of the unfamiliar style: 'Irish Soul Music'. Music is described as a pastime and diversion for the Irish because 'they are the blacks of Europe. Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland' as Jimmy reveals.

Kenneth McCluskey - derek "the meatman" scully - guitar
Dick Massey - billy "the animal" mooney - drums
Michael Aherne - steven "soul surgeon" clifford - keyboards
Joe "the moose" Walsh - lead vocals
Karen Coleman & Claire Malone - lead & backing vocals
Daniel Antoine - keyboards
Darren Hanley - bass
Serge Stavila - tenor saxophone
Ray Martin - trumpet

Special Features: