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, Pete Willis' struggle with the bottle and eventual firing, 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 the reality about the accident. Rick and Miriam did not take any drugs before it happened. They were driving on a sunny morning just after breakfast, and Rick was showing his girlfriend Miriam the beautiful nature around Sheffield.
Other historical errors in the movie included
- The band was 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 friends with the members of Def Leppard when he was asked to join)
- Pete Willis being fired for drinking during a show (although he was fired for alcoholism, it was during the recording sessions for Pyromania).
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"