Spoilers for Quadrophenia (1979).
Watching Quadrophenia with modern eyes – eyes far removed from the generation that lived through the clashes between Mods and Rockers – it’s amazing how much is still present in today’s fandoms. Fandom of anything, when taken too far, leads to tribalism and that tribalism, an inability to see beyond the most banal disagreement you have with another group, often leads to clashes.
More often than not, modern clashes are played out online but that doesn’t make them any less toxic, or dangerous, than the wild brawls that dominated headlines in 1964—doxing, anonymous bullying, unregulated by the moral compass that normally dictates our face-to-face interactions all make it difficult for ‘rival’ fans to get along.
Perhaps the closest link to the Mods and Rockers today is football hooliganism, with the riots and organised attacks having less to do with fandom of any sort and more to do with craving violence.
Quadrophenia follows Jimmy (Phil Daniels) a young Mod stuck in a dead-end job and struggling to navigate a world of fighting, amphetamines and his unsuccessful attempts to woo Steph (Leslie Ash). Set against the backdrop of some of the most famous clashes between the two subcultures – the 1964 Brighton riots – Jimmy often appears to be in two minds about the ‘them and us’ mentality.
He certainly prefers the music associated with the Mods (The Who, who soundtracked the film, and the Small Faces), appreciates the fashion and rides a scooter. Yet, early in the film, we see him speaking with a childhood friend, Kevin (Ray Winstone). Kevin dresses like a Rocker and rides a motorcycle but shows no interest in the clashes, instead treating people on their personalities, rather than music or fashion choices.
They share a gentle back and forth about the different cultures, but Jimmy quickly dismisses Kevin when more ardent Mods come into the scene and does little to stop Kevin from being attacked later in the film.
His disenfranchisement becomes more pronounced later in the film. As we approach the finale of the film, he meets Ace Face (Sting), a Mod held in high regard by his peers. After the Brighton riots, in which Jimmy plays little part but still finds himself arrested and fined, Ace Face seemingly justifies his status by shrugging off a significant fine and offering to pay it on the spot.
Jimmy finds himself both in awe and annoyed with Ace Face. While on the surface, the flash, well-dressed Mod is everything that Jimmy aspires to, Ace Face treats people as if they are beneath him. The fallout from the riots leads to Jimmy being kicked out by his parents, and in a fit of rage, quitting his menial job. High on pills, he jumps on the train back to Brighton hoping to relive some of the excitement from the weekend.
As he wanders around, he comes across Ace Face’s scooter, parked outside the Grand Brighton Hotel. Just as his hopes start to rise, he sees the legendary Mod come out of the hotel in a bellboy uniform and pick up the bags of a guest.
It’s a splash of cold water for Jimmy. Having spent the whole film hoping to escape the doldrums of day-to-day life, he discovers that his hero’s seemingly lavish lifestyle is funded by a boring day job. Rather than Mod culture being Ace Face’s every waking thought, it is a distraction on the weekend.
Looking again through a modern lens, it’s interesting to consider how this would change today. One of the dangers today is that fandoms can become our every waking thought. This was set in 1964. Fifteen years later Sony would introduce the Walkman portable tape player, meaning that music fans could now take their music out of their homes, or the bars and clubs. Nearly 60 years on, we can access any music we want online.
We can play hugely successful video games on our mobile phones; keep track of our favourite artists; follow sports teams; and interact with almost anyone, whether they agree with us or not.
In Quadrophenia, Jimmy dreams of making a pastime something that is full-time. In 2023, we don’t have to wonder what that is like. Is there the possibility of having the real world come crashing down on us in the same way that Jimmy does? Or is it a quaint occurrence from a generation long gone?
Director: Franc Roddam
Writers: Dave Humphries, Martin Stellman, Franc Roddam
Starring: Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Phil Davis, Sting, Ray Winstone
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