Classic Film Spotlight: The Apple (1980)

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It's 1994 and there's a music event happening called Worldvision Song Festival. A boy named Alphie (George Gilmour) and a girl named Bibi (Catherine Mary Stewart) from  Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. They are a small town couple singing love songs hoping to beat the industry favorites, Dandi (Allan Love) and Pandi (Grace Kennedy). But even though they sing the best song of the night, Dandi and Pandi win the festival. 


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The world that The Apple (1980) is a dystopia ruled over by the Boogalow International Music company (BIM). The man in charge goes by many names but in this world he goes by Mr. Boogalow (Vladek Sheybal). Though crestfallen by their loss, Bibi and Alphie are soon delighted to hear that MrBoogalow has taken an interest in their music and wants to sign them. Alphie can sense Mr. Boogalow isn't what he seems but Bibi is enthralled by the chance of becoming a star. 

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The young lovers are then separated because of the distractions of the temptations. Most of this futuristic world is centered around the corruptions that come from BIM. People are easily swayed and lured by the music this company puts out, so much so they even go around wearing holographic triangle stickers to show their loyalty and commitment to BIM. The world created in the image of Mr. Boogalow is all about music, random dance sequences, and silver shimmery outfits. It's sort of like the biblical tale of Sodom and Gomorrah---orgies, drugs, and frenzied lifestyle choices.

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While Alphie pines for Bibi and attempts to save her, Bibi struggles with the ramifications of being at part of the BIM world. Every time you see Bibi possibly realizing that maybe this isn't the healthiest group of people to surround herself with, they lure her back. It is almost like Bibi is a drug addict and Mr. Boogalow and the stars of his music company, Dandi and Pandi, are her drug dealers. While both Alphie and Bibi change and grow on their individual journeys, one can't help but yearn for them to find their way back to each other.

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Will Bibi realize that this world of song and dance isn't quite what she hoped it would be? Will Alphie persevere long enough for Bibi to find her way back to him? Is Mr. Boogalow really the devil? Does Pandi  find her way out of the cult of the BIM and find the peace she longs for? To find the answers you should just  dive in and enter the world of The Apple (1980)At its most basic understanding The Apple (1980) is loosely based on the biblical story of Adam and Eve, how one can lose themselves to temptation, and the struggle between good and evil. At its most complicated The Apple (1980) is an over the top tale of temptation with epic dance numbers, romantic ballads, triangle stickers on everyone's foreheads, and Miriam Margolyes as Alphie's landlady.

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I say embrace the madness that is The Apple (1980). Most reviewers like to declare this as a "bad movie" but I say it is fun, sweet, entertaining, and whole lot of cheese. I love and appreciate cheesy movies and I love how out there this film is. I have seen some "bad" movies but this isn't one of them. It's different. It is a sign of its times looking into the possible future of 1994 where the music industry takes over humanity and corrupts it. 

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Although there is a lot going on in the film there are interesting songs and dance numbers like "How to be a Master" sung by Mr. Boogalow himself, "Speed" by Bibi, "Where has love gone" by Alphie, or "I have found me" by Pandi and Bibi. I found the songs to be helpful in guiding the viewer through the hectic landscape that is so obviously drenched in heaps of glitter.

Here is a little nibble of some of the song and dance scenes from The Apple (1980):


Menahem Golan of The Cannon Group wrote and directed this film. The Cannon Group movies became ingrained into the minds of every kid the 1980's with films like The Last American Virgin (1982), American Ninja (1985), Invaders from Mars (1986), Firewalker (1986), Masters of the Universe (1987), and Bloodsport (1988), just to name a few. The Apple (1980) was Golan's special project and he hoped it would be a masterpiece like Grease (1978) was. The Apple (1980) gives us a feel of the nostalgic 1970's disco era while looking to the future. It's unique, loud, glitzy, funky, sexy, romantic, messy, and one heck of a joy ride. Everything was thrown into this film and those who love, appreciate, and enjoy it like I do can see what Golan was attempting to do-he created an unforgettable sci-fi musical.

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This wonderfully mad film ends with Mr. Topps (Joss Ackland ) appearing. He was was once the leader of the hippie group that Alphie and Bibi retreat to after they escape the clutches of Mr. Boogalow and his minions. Mr. Topps suddenly decides to leave that world and bring his flock to another realm of existence, away from the mess that Mr. Boogalow had created. You aren't fully aware that Mr. Topps and Mr. Boogalow know each other until they make this exchange and everything that happened before suddenly makes a lot more sense:

  1. Mr. Boogalow : Don't tell me you're going to start all over again?
  2. Mr. Topps : Yes. But this time, without you.
  3. Mr. Boogalow : Without me? But, my dear Topps, you know that isn't possible. 
  4. The world simply cannot exist without me.
  5. Mr. Topps : Let's give it a try.

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10 comments :

  1. I have favourited this post, as this is on my to watch list.. but will be back to comment once I see it. A big thanks for bringing this to the blogathon and hope you can join in our next one later this year.

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    1. Oh you have to email me after you see it! I hope you have fun with it bc although it has serious undertones its also meant to be a wild ride. Thank you for having me on your blogathon!! xox

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  2. Good review of a truly bizarre film, and I mean that in a good way. The Apple entertained me and left me scratching my head a little, wondering what exactly I just watched. I love how your love of this film reverberates through your post!

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    1. Omg John this is the perfect comment bc that is exactly how I felt after watching it. So much so I ended up watching it two more times on the same day bc I needed to figure out what I just watched lol I am so glad you liked me post-means a lot to me! xox

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  3. As you point out, the Cannon Group put out some of the most enjoyable cheese of the 1980s, and it looks like this one is a cheese lover's dream! When you've got The Devil wearing a Dracula cape and face glitter, you know you're in for something special. Thanks for highlighting this lost epic of the '80s!

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    1. Haha 80's cheese is the best cheese! I'm so glad you liked this post-thank you! xox

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  4. Fun review! I have no idea why I've neglected to see this movie, but your spirited post presents a convincing argument for giving this a try. Thanks for joining the Futurethon!

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    1. I'm so glad you liked it!!! Thank you so much Barry! xox

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  5. According to professional film critics, I'm supposed to hate it, but I just love its energy and outrageousness. I grew up in the '70s and '80s, so this is, at least for me, a wonderful encapsulation of a long gone era. Excellent review (and great snapshots and links). :)

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    1. I have read every review on this film and they all hate it. I am like you, I love the energy and I also grew up in the 70s and 80s. I am so glad you enjoyed my post. Its fun and magical like Xanadu-another fun flick. I figure those critics are stick in the muds haha xox

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