Hysteria – The Def Leppard Story
Hysteria – The Def Leppard Story is a 2001 made-for-television movie about the English hard rock/ heavy metal band Def Leppard. The film premiered on July 18, 2001 and is available on DVD in the US.
Plot
The film revolves around the humble beginnings of the band, their rise to stardom, drummer Rick Allen's car accident, Steve Clark's battle with alcoholism and the making of their most successful album to date, Hysteria. The story does not represent reality if you talk about the accident. Rick and Miriam did not take any drugs before it happened. In fact they were driving on a sunny morning just after breakfast. Rick was showing his girlfriend Miriam the beautiful nature around Sheffield. Other historical errors in the movie: the band are shown working on the song "Pour Some Sugar on Me" before Robert John "Mutt" Lange's return as producer (in reality, the song was the last song recorded for Hysteria within two weeks); Rick Allen auditioning for the band and playing on their 'Getcha Rocks Off' EP (he didn't join the band until after the record was recorded with Frank Noon playing drums); Phil Collen being discovered by the band at a show his band was playing in (he was actually friends with the members of Def Leppard when he was asked to join); and Pete Willis being fired for drinking during a show (while he was fired for alcoholism, he was actually fired during the recording sessions for Pyromania), among other inaccuracies
Cast
- Orlando Seale as Joe Elliott
- Tat Whalley as Rick Allen
- Karl Geary as Steve Clark
- Adam MacDonald as Rick Savage
- Esteban Powell as Phil Collen
- Nick Bagnall as Pete Willis
- Anthony Michael Hall as Robert John "Mutt" Lange
- Dean McDermott as Peter Mensch
- Amber Valletta as Lorelei Shellist
- Brett Watson as Tony Kenning
- Priscilla Mouzakiotis as Miriam Barendsen
Soundtrack
The following Def Leppard tracks are featured in the movie. Some songs include newly added lead vocals or drums (recorded by session musicians), most notably during scenes in the recording studio. The movie also includes an entirely re-recorded version of the early Def Leppard song "Getcha Rocks Off", which was recorded without involvement of any Def Leppard members.
- "Rock of Ages"
- "Getcha Rocks Off"
- "Ride Into The Sun"
- "Hello America"
- "Bringin' On The Heartbreak"
- "Photograph"
- "Pour Some Sugar On Me"
- "Two Steps Behind"