Rags To Rhapsody
First broadcast on 18th December 2015 on BBC 4 at 10pm. Length 58 minutes.
Produced and directed by Simon Lupton and Rhys Thomas
Production manager for Eagle Rock Entertainment: Rosie Holley
Executive producer for BBC: Jan Younghusband
Executive producer for Queen Productions Ltd: Jim Beach
Executive producers for Eagle Rock Entertainment: Geoff Kempin and Terry Shand
Film editor: Christopher Bird
This documentary tells the story of Queen's early days up to the end of 1975, and the impact of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' beyond. It features new interviews with Brian and Roger, and extensive archive interviews with the whole band, many of which have only been seen before in edited form. Unusually, compared to other documentaries, the only contributor outside Queen is Norman Sheffield, their former manager. It also features some rare footage, highlighted in red, including the Hyde Park and Earl's Court concerts.
- Excerpt of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (Wembley 1986), intercut with short interview clips, followed by opening credits
- Interviews about the band's intended careers, the formation of Smile, break-up, Freddie's involvement, and choosing the name 'Queen'
- Interviews about John auditioning and joining the band, with excerpt of 'Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll' studio version and live version (Rainbow, March 1974)
- Excerpts from the demo and studio versions of 'Polar Bear' (Queen version), and interviews about getting a recording contract and the first demos at De Lane Lea, with excerpts of 'The Night Comes Down'
- Interviews about the band's early jobs while getting signed, followed by Brian's Guitar Solo (Rainbow, March 1975) and archive interview with Norman Sheffield (former manager) about singing the group
- Footage of the 'Keep Yourself Alive' promo video, and interviews with Brian about the song and recording during studio downtime
- Footage of the 'Liar' promo video, and interviews about musical style, early shows, the time it took for the first album to be released, and it's lack of success
- Footage of 'Son And Daughter' (Rainbow, March 1974), and excerpt of 'Procession', with interviews about songwriting and the style of 'Queen II'
- Footage of 'Seven Seas Of Rhye' (Rainbow, November 1974) and interviews about the track, it's single release, and success
- Interviews about headlining their first tour, footage of Bob Harris presenting the 'Old Grey Whistle Test', talking about the tour, with backstage footage of The Rainbow
- Interviews about touring and problems, with footage of 'Liar' from the Rainbow, with a power cut and an impromptu Roger drum solo
- Footage of 'Father To Son' (Rainbow, November 1974) and interviews about touring the USA, Brian's illness, and starting 'Sheer Heart Attack' without him, with footage of 'Now I'm Here' (newly rediscovered 'Top Of The Pops' footage)
- Excerpts of 'Killer Queen', interviews about touring in Japan, and footage of the band arriving, the press conference and tea ceremony
- Footage of 'Death On Two Legs' (Earl's Court 1977) and interviews about the band's split from Trident and move to John Reid
- Interviews about the 'A Night At The Opera' album and band's extravagance, with footage of '39 (Earl's Court 1977)
- Footage of 'You're My Best Friend' (Hyde Park 1976) and interviews about songs evolving
- Interviews about 'Bohemian Rhapsody' recording and songwriting, with unheard out-takes and photographs from the recording sessions
- Interviews about harmonies, the track being so ground breaking, it's reception, and Kenny Everett playing it on the radio
- Interviews about the video, the impact of the song, and reaching number 1
- Interviews about the Hammersmith Odeon concert (1975), with 'Now I'm Here' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (first part)
- Footage of the track from 'Live Aid', interviews about the 1991 reissue of the track, and footage of Brian and Roger on Breakfast TV
- Footage of the track from The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (Wembley Stadium, 1992) and interviews about Axl Rose and Elton John
- Footage of the track from the Queen + Adam Lambert New Year's Eve concert (London, 2014) and interviews about using footage of Freddie
- Interviews about the meaning of the track, and footage of it's reprise (Hammersmith, 1975)
- End credits - 'God Save The Queen'
The documentary was shown alongside the 'A Night At The Odeon' concert in cinemas worldwide in 2016, billed as 'A Night In Bohemia', including screenings in the UK, Austria, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand.