Academy Award-winning actor Javier Bardem doesn't just like Iron Maiden. He loves Iron Maiden. That is one of many revelations in Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition, a new documentary about the legendary British heavy metal band.
An Unforgettable Journey into Metal History
With over 130 million album sales and an estimated $1 billion in concert revenue since 1982, Iron Maiden is indisputably one of the most successful and influential metal bands of all time. That alone justifies a documentary, if only for the band's millions of fans worldwide. However, this film is also a fascinating watch for anyone with an appreciation of the music industry.
This critic vividly remembers his Year 6 teacher leaving the classroom to get help with a faulty projector, while a mischievous student played Maiden's The Number of the Beast on the class tape deck. The spoken intro—"For it is a human number. Its number is six hundred and sixty-six"—launched into its heavy, unmistakable riff. Mind blown.
Bardem's Passion and Celebrity Testimonials
Bardem is even more emotive as he describes his passion for the band, standing out among numerous celebrity talking heads, including KISS's Gene Simmons and Metallica's Lars Ulrich. His sheer joy in being involved in this project is infectious.
These talking heads are crucial because other heads are notably absent: those of the band members, who appear only in voice-overs. Why Maiden members are famously camera shy is unpacked in the documentary, along with how this influenced the creation of Eddie, the band's beloved skeletal mascot who has appeared on the cover of nearly all their albums.
Behind the Scenes of Iron Maiden's Rise
That is just one nugget awaiting viewers, who will also get a front-row seat to the band's origin and signature sound, as well as the harsh reality of becoming the biggest metal band in the world in the 1980s. It is a classic "be careful what you wish for" tale, complete with frontman dramas—lead singer Bruce Dickinson is impressively candid—and commercial struggles.
Perhaps the best thing about the film is that no one tries to convince you that liking Iron Maiden is cool. In fact, the documentary suggests the opposite might be true. But the film's focus on community and found family, which the Maiden faithful identify with, is a testament to the group's true impact.
Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition is in cinemas from May 7, rated M, and stars Javier Bardem.
