Madness have restored their classic Take It Or Leave It film in 4K, and it is heading to cinemas in the UK and Ireland later this year. Check out the trailer below.

• READ MORE: Madness’ Suggs: “We were unique – but it’s so hard for bands now”
  

The part-mockumentary film was first released in 1981, and caught the band as they rose through the ranks to become one of Britain’s best-loved music groups.

With no actors at all, the film caught Suggs, Bedders, El Thommo, Chas Smash, Woody, Chrissy Boy and Barzo playing themselves, reliving some of the biggest moments in their journey at that point – reliving the rows, line-up changes, and gigs that led to them finding their distinctive sound.

It was shot largely on location, including Camden’s legendary Dublin Castle, and the soundtrack includes classics like ‘One Step Beyond’, ‘Night Boat to Cairo’, ‘My Girl’, ‘Baggy Trousers’ and ‘Embarrassment’.

Now, over four decades since it was first released, the movie is returning to UK and Ireland cinemas on October 2, before making its long-awaited Blu-ray debut on October 19.

The BFI has restored it in 4K, and the premiere on September 30 will include a Q&A with members of Madness at BFI Southbank’s NFT1.

On the BFI Blu-ray/DVD Limited Edition, there will also be lots of brand-new extras, including new interviews with Suggs, Mark ‘Bedders’ Bedford and director Dave ‘Robbo’ Robinson, looking back on the making of the film.

There will also be the classic audio commentary from Robinson and Chris ‘Chrissy Boy’ Foreman, as well as behind-the-scenes footage, the original 1981 trailer, and nine Madness music videos.

First pressings also come with an illustrated collector’s booklet, which features new writing by Andrew Pulver and Johnny Mains, alongside Neil Tennant’s original review.

Take It Or Leave It was the feature film debut from director and Stiff Records founder Dave Robinson, and built around real events and improvised dialogue. It has rarely been seen in cinemas since its original release, and the rerelease marks the film’s first ever Blu-ray edition.

Visit here to find more about the premiere, and here to pre-order.

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At the end of last year, the North London ska legends dropped a huge 45-track collection – capturing every era of their story so far, from the early days of 1979 up to 2024.

Titled ‘Hit Parade’, the release featured 27 Top 40 hits of theirs, including ‘It Must Be Love’, ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘Lovestruck’ and their classic 1982 Number One single ‘House Of Fun’.

Speaking to NME around the release, Suggs looked back on Madness’ early days and said: “There was a parade of serious people going on one side of the pavement, and we were on the other side with a popped balloon and a kazoo. But I can’t complain, because what we do and what we did transcends whatever trends there happen to be.”

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Discussing if he thought Madness could make it in today’s climate, the frontman added: “I don’t know, it’s hard to say. There are so many factors. We were unique – I think we are unique. All those singles, whatever they were – calypso, jazz, ska, British pop – they all sound like Madness.

“It’s so hard for bands now. When we started (‘the good-old-fucking-days’ and all that… I wish they were!) there were probably 15 pubs in Camden Town where you could get a gig. Now there’s probably one or two. So for a band of our size – six or seven people – I think it’d be very difficult. We certainly wouldn’t have got very far on X Factor or Britain’s Got Talent. We wouldn’t have got past the first round. I can’t think of any other band like us.”