Memoirs of a Spectrum Addict
Directed by Andy Remic.
SYNOPSIS:
A documentary feature film based on Andy Remic’s memoirs growing up with the ZX Spectrum; part cinema drama, part interviews, part nostalgic journey.
The ZX Spectrum back in the 1980’s was one of the computers to have in your home. Forget your Nintendos and your SEGAs, and I’d say forget PlayStation, but back in the 1980’s they weren’t even a twinkle in Sony’s eye, as they were still concentrating on their excellent Betamax recorders. Now from Andy Remic comes Memoirs of a Spectrum Addict, a film which brings to the screen numerous memories that are so firmly wrapped around the classic Sinclair machine.
It’s clear from the off that Andy has made this with total love for the ZX Spectrum, with loading screens separating the chapters, classic cassette boxes on show and recounts of days gone by. This hasn’t been recorded and delivered by a hip new retro-team, whose primary goal is cash before the next bandwagon. This has been filmed by an honest Sinclair kid, who’s now a fully certified Sinclair adult.
Memoirs of a Spectrum Addict brings to the screen interviews with so many names from the ZX Spectrum scene of the 80’s & 90’s, and a fair number still actively involved in projects today. The likes of Steve Turner, Andrew Hewson, Clive Townsend, Jas Austin, The Oliver Twins, Jim Bagley, Oliver Frey and Roger Kean. All of them recalling their early computing days around one of the greatest machines ever.
The chapters dart between such things as favourite magazines to software piracy, which back in the 1980’s was as simple as tape-to-tape. The questions are honest, and the answers come back from those facing the camera with honesty too. It was amusing watching faces contort with the piracy questions, even more amusing was the Oliver Twins openly admitted to making, shall we say “back-ups” (in case the law is listening), on their BBC Micro.
This film is for the person whose lives were entertained by the screeching of a 48K rubber-keyed wonder. Yes, Memoirs of a Spectrum Addict may not have an overly-polished professional shine on its presentation, but it doesn’t in truth need it. Watching my gaming legends recount their tales on how they got to where they did, doesn’t need uber-bells and whistles attached.
Discovering that Jim Bagley also sat in front his computer, being driven insane due to misprinted program listings in magazines makes me smile. Here’s a chap who’s now one of the driving forces behind the ZX Spectrum Next and 35 years ago, we were sat apart by about 30 miles with sore necks cursing both magazine and machines. This is the sort of fantastic Spectrum history which Andy brings across in Memoirs of a Spectrum Addict.
If you lived in the ZX Spectrum era – or you still are – then picking up Memoirs of a Spectrum Addict would be a nice treat to yourself.
Memoirs of a Spectrum Addict is available now on Blu-ray, DVD or Digital Download from their website here. If you’re attending PLAY Expo Manchester 2017 then Andy will be in attendance and there will be a Q&A panel too, for more information go here.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Originally published September 22, 2017. Updated April 17, 2018.
