Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith recently discussed the band’s upcoming feature documentary, titled ‘Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition,’ explaining why the band members won’t appear in it personally, in an interview with Rolling Stone Brasil.
Smith clarified the band’s involvement in the documentary project and shared his thoughts on the unique approach being taken.
“Well, right off the bat, it was nothing to do with Iron Maiden. The film company approached the management and talked about it. We are not actually in the film being interviewed like this. It’s just our kind of voices on top of the narration, which I think is kind of cool. We haven’t done it before. There’s a few things in there that haven’t been covered,” Smith said.
The guitarist also reflected on his personal experience watching the documentary and its potential appeal to different audiences.
“It’s lovely to have a document, personally, to look back and have it laid out in the film, I thought it’d be uncomfortable for me to watch, because actors and people like that, when they see themselves on a big screen, it’s, like, ‘Oh, my god.’ But I actually quite enjoyed it, and I think the fans are gonna love it,” he continued.
“And maybe even people who don’t really know about Maiden might be interested in it, because it is a phenomenon, what’s happened to us over the years. And it’s been great to be a part of it, a part of the ride, really,” Smith added.
The documentary represents a significant milestone in Iron Maiden’s storied career. It offers fans an unprecedented look at the band’s remarkable journey through five decades of heavy metal history.
My Basin reported that the feature-length film is directed by Malcolm Venville and produced by Dominic Freeman. The documentary traces the band’s extraordinary five-decade rise from East London upstarts to global stadium headliners. The documentary runs for 1 hour and 46 minutes, providing an extensive exploration of the band’s evolution and cultural impact.
The film takes a unique approach by featuring interviews with high-profile fans and industry figures rather than traditional band interviews. Iron Maiden’s official website revealed that the documentary includes conversations with notable personalities such as actor Javier Bardem, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, and Public Enemy’s Chuck D. These interviews offer diverse perspectives on the band’s influence across different entertainment spheres.
Beyond celebrity testimonials, the documentary promises to deliver fresh visual content for longtime fans. Cinema 21 noted that the film features unprecedented access to band archives and includes new animated sequences of their iconic mascot Eddie. This adds a creative visual element to the storytelling.
The documentary is set for a limited theatrical release. Fandango confirmed that it hits North American theaters starting May 7. This gives fans a chance to experience Iron Maiden’s legacy on the big screen before potentially moving to other distribution platforms.
