The Police - Everyone Stares

Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out is a strikingly personal and revealing documentary about the acclaimed rock group, The Police. The unique production centers around drummer Stewart Copeland’s intimate, behind-the-scenes footage to give an highly-exclusive look at the band’s rise to stardom.

Narrated with articulate wittiness and depth by Copeland himself, the film takes the viewers on a journey through the gritty beginnings and golden years of the iconic rock band. Emerging from the punk-new wave explosion, The Police was formed by Copeland, Sting, and Andy Summers in London in 1977. Captured through a Super 8 camera by Copeland, their pursuit of global impact in the music industry is shown through the drummer’s perspective.

The home-shot footage starts with behind the scene glimpses of the band members in everyday situations and legendary stages. The viewers are presented with an unfiltered and riveting look at the band’s symbiotic synergy, conflicts, and growth, all leading to the development of their original sound, which eventually propelled them towards unprecedented fame.

Capturing the raw energy of their performances and the palpable excitement and tension backstage, Everyone Stares offers a refreshing departure from a typical rock documentary. It ventures away from an analytical approach and instead, delivers a personal, and closely observed tale with the band members explicitly narrating their own story.

The culmination of performances from the band's early days in clubs to their sold-out stadium concerts, including unseen performances at landmark gigs, provides a never-before-seen window into The Police's surge in popularity. Stewart's candid commentaries provide an impressive depth to those footages, capturing not only the band’s personal experiences but also the broader cultural impact that marked their era and reputation.

What really sets Everyone Stares apart from other rockumentaries is the first-person perspective. Unlike many films in the genre, it does not focus on backstage drama or personal fallouts, instead, it emphasizes on the magic and chaos of global stardom, and the process of crafting music that has since become emblematic of a particular time and generation.

The film, however, is not just a series of concert films or home videos strung together. It is interspersed with retrospective reflections from Copeland, adding depth and layer to the historical images and events, offering insights into the personalities driving them, and how those dynamics influenced their music.

Everyone Stares also boasts a plethora of songs from The Police, including favorites like Roxanne, Message in a Bottle, and Every Breath You Take, as well as lesser-known deep cuts, cleverly used to reflect the mood and emotion of each scene. This masterfully arranged soundtrack underscores the film, transporting fans and newcomers alike to the height of The Police's popularity.

The documentary effectively showcases the incredibly fast transition of the band members from playing in small pubs in London to selling out stadiums across the world. This rapid ascent to fame, along with the pressures and euphoria of being in one of the world's biggest bands, offers an intriguing portrait of The Police.

In Everyone Stares, the golden memories are nostalgically relived, and the glamour and giddy thrills of the rock star life are poignantly brought to life. It offers a chance to view the band's journey through their own eyes, giving viewers a unique peek at the extraordinary life and times of The Police.

An elegant portrayal of an epochal band, Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out is a must-watch for fans of classic rock and music documentaries. An archival treasure-trove, the film is a labor of love that has been tenderly crafted to pay homage to the band's indelible impact on the rock music scene and beyond. With Copeland's keen sense for storytelling and personal reflections, coupled with the hypnotic allure of The Police's music, it presents a profound perspective on the band's legendary journey.