Take It or Leave It Blu-ray
HomeTake It or Leave It Blu-ray
Posted September 25, 2026 07:21 PM by Webmaster
The British Film Institute has provided complete details for its upcoming Blu-ray release of Dave Robinson's Take It or Leave It (1981). The release is scheduled to arrive on the market on October 19.
Description: This autobiographical, semi-fictionalised docudrama chronicles the origins of one of the most successful and enduring British bands of all time, Madness. After a UK and Ireland cinema release on October 1 through BFI Distribution, Take It Or Leave It (1981) will come to Blu-ray/DVD in a Limited Edition set on October 19 with extras including a new filmed interview with members of the band and director Dave Robinson, nine of Madness's brilliant music videos and more.
Starring Graham McPherson (Suggs), Mark Bedford (Bedders), Lee Thompson (El Thommo), Carl Smyth (Chas Smash), Dan Woodgate (Woody), Chris Foreman (Chrissy Boy) and Mike Barson (Barso), Take It Or Leave It was filmed after Madness had enjoyed a run of Top 10 singles and endeared themselves to the public with their iconic music videos. The film follows the rowdy bunch of seven mates, living in Camden Town in the late 1970s, as they get together to form the band – the jobs they leave behind, the changing line-up, the rows, the laughs and the evolution of their distinctive ska-pop Nutty sound.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Description: This autobiographical, semi-fictionalised docudrama chronicles the origins of one of the most successful and enduring British bands of all time, Madness. After a UK and Ireland cinema release on October 1 through BFI Distribution, Take It Or Leave It (1981) will come to Blu-ray/DVD in a Limited Edition set on October 19 with extras including a new filmed interview with members of the band and director Dave Robinson, nine of Madness's brilliant music videos and more.
Starring Graham McPherson (Suggs), Mark Bedford (Bedders), Lee Thompson (El Thommo), Carl Smyth (Chas Smash), Dan Woodgate (Woody), Chris Foreman (Chrissy Boy) and Mike Barson (Barso), Take It Or Leave It was filmed after Madness had enjoyed a run of Top 10 singles and endeared themselves to the public with their iconic music videos. The film follows the rowdy bunch of seven mates, living in Camden Town in the late 1970s, as they get together to form the band – the jobs they leave behind, the changing line-up, the rows, the laughs and the evolution of their distinctive ska-pop Nutty sound.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM BY THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE
- NEW Plastering and Pianos: The Making of Take It Or Leave It (2026, 33 mins): a newly recorded interview with members of Madness and the film's director
- NEW Restoration demo (2026, 2 mins): an example of the restoration work undertaken
- Audio commentary by Dave Robinson and Chrissy Boy (2002)
- Music videos: One Step Beyond, Bed and Breakfast Man, My Girl, The Prince, Madness, Night Boat to Cairo, Baggy Trousers, Embarrassment, and Grey Day
- Take It Or Leave It shooting schedule: Dave Robinson's original handwritten schedule for the film
- Image gallery: a selection of images from the private collection of Dave Robinson
- Original trailer
- Restoration trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
- FIRST PRESSING ONLY; Illustrated booklet featuring new writing on the film by Andrew Pulver and on the music videos by Johnny Mains and a contemporary review by Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys
