The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
1980, English. Directed by Julien Temple.
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."
- Runtime
- 1h 43m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
Start now and it ends at ….
Popcorn Flick
Fun if you don’t overthink it.
6.4/10 from 58 TMDB viewer ratings.
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Where to watch The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 11 September 1980.
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Cast & crew
- Julien TempleDirector
- Malcolm McLarenThe Embezzler
- Steve JonesThe Crook
- Paul CookThe Tea-Maker
- Sid ViciousThe Gimmick
- John LydonThe Collaborator
- Helen Wellington-LloydHelen
- Ronald BiggsThe Exile
- Liz FraserWoman in Cinema
- Jess ConradJess
- Mary MillingtonMary, The Crook's girlfriend
- James AubreyRecord Executive
- Julian HollowayMan
Details
- Released
- 11 September 1980
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Written by
- Julien Temple
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
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The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle: quick answers
Is The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle worth watching?
Our verdict is Popcorn Flick: Fun if you don’t overthink it. It scores 6.4/10 from 58 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle?
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle runs 103 minutes (1h 43m).
Does The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle yet.
Which OTT platform is The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle on?
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 11 September 1980. (Checked 12 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle?
If you liked The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, try Jonas Brothers Family Roast, The Wrecking Crew, Daft Punk Unchained.
Who directed The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle?
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980) was directed by Julien Temple and stars Malcolm McLaren, Steve Jones, Paul Cook.